one of our best offseason moves
I'm not entirely sure the problem with Gandy, or even Jacox was the talent (or lack thereof). More than anything, I think it was coaching. Case in point is our O-Line this year.
Before this season started:
- Most experts agreed that it would take Brown at least a full season before being able to transition from RT to LT. It took 2 games.
- Stinchcomb was mostly a bust who was injured and couldn't crack the starting lineup.
- Faine was considered a good backup at C.
- Evans was a rookie. Nuff said.
- Nesbit was a journeyman with a rather uneventful career.
Individually, each of these guys has overachieved this season, including one Pro Bowler at the toughest spot on the line and what many experts believe wasn't even the best one on the line. Collectively, they've been downright dominant most of the time, especially in pass protection. And as evidenced by the second half of the season, they aren't too bad in run blocking either.
So how did this happen? I believe it was the solid coaching of both Payton and Doug Marrone, who not only taught good technique (evidenced by the success they've had) but taught it in a positive way that each guy could respond to (evidenced by how quickly they were able to grasp it all).
Credit must also be given to the offensive system we use, game planning and play calling as well, such as the use of 3 step drops and quickly developing plays that would minimize the time these guys needed to hold blocks. Again, that's a credit to Payton as well.
In the past under Haslet, we may have had one or two of these attributes but due to poor coaching, nothing that could be counted on consistently. Not having a stable QB obviously hurt as well but the point is, the coaching is arguably the biggest piece that's been missing more than anything. Again, I'm not sure that somebody like Gandy doesn't thrive under these guys just like Stinchcomb or Nesbit or Brown has.
Having said that, I wouldn't change a damn thing with the guys we have today. On a team loaded with positives, this may arguably be the best positive of all because of how much of our success offensively depends on it. It was easily the biggest question mark coming in to the season and may end up being the best O-line in the game. It can't be because their talent blossomed that way in a matter of months. It's because of coaching and quality guys around them.