With so many questions regarding the interior of the Jaguars offensive line, it's tough to come up with answers about the line with the no-contact rule in place for the team's OTA practices. While the two tackle spots are secure with last year's rookie starters, Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe, the two guard spots and center position are up for grabs. Uche Nwaneri will be a starter either at guard or center but four players — center Brad Meester and guards Vince Manuwai, Justin Smiley and Kynan Forney — are all competing for starting honors. Head coach Jack Del Rio said it's too early to declare a starting unit at this time. "You do the best you can with what you can in shorts," Del Rio said. "You know the game is played in pads. We don't get carried away with it, but you certainly can determine movement skills, relative power, the ability to torque the hips and do things out of stance. The ability to move, the ability to think, to learn our playbook and assignments and things like that are all important. There are a lot of things you can learn but I don't think you get a complete picture of an offensive or defensive lineman until you put the pads on." Source: USA Today
I remember someone saying he is soooooo much better than Beatty. Perhaps he is better suited inside if he has another shaky preseason.
beatty wasn't very good either, but played in about a third the number of snaps that briton played in.
I think Britton is going to be OK. Some players just have a longer learning curve D'brick almost hit bust status, now he's one of the best in the game
no doubt, him and woody are probably the best tackle tandem in the league right now. With mangold beasting it at Center and now Ducasse with Moore at guard, that line is easily the best in the league right now.
And only a couple years ago they were talking about moving D'Brick inside after he gave up something like 10 sacks. Im not ready to write Britton off yet. I thought he was a very good RT only prospect Keep in mind, facing 2 rookie OT's, coordinators go into attack mode. Britton/Monroe probobly saw alot of things they wouldnt have normally
no doubt and tra thomas was garbage. People will get on Monroe for the amount of sacks he gave up last year, but he will be a beast soon enough. between the two they gave up 14 sacks (9 by monroe) but on the upside, both played pretty well in the run game.
Guys like Thomas and Long spoil fans looking at at Top 10 LT's. Thats the exception rather than the rule Screw, Ogden played guard for I think 2 or 3 years, and he possibly the best LT of our generation
I was with K Train thinking Oher was the best of last years clbutt. Was the consensus #1 the whole time games were being played, then once the pads and cleats came of and the shorts and running shoes went on, Smith and Monroe were supirior. Unless the dude had 10 inch arms, I wasnt buying it. Oher is a technician, not an athlete
