I can't see anything that makes me think #2 is anything other than wishful thinking. Our backups from a year ago will be this years starters, when they couldn't even get on the field last year. Losing Pouncey for at least the first 4 games plus still looking at a possible suspension means we might lose him for close to half the season. That means the entire interior of our OL will be backup caliber talent. If Turner can't create a miracle an get up to speed much faster than he should be able to, that will mean either Shelley (who is straight up garbage) or the guy we just signed will be starting at RG.
The center 3 positions will be the worst in the league until Pouncey gets back. And considering that we will be running a lot out of shotgun with a new center doesn't make me confident we won't have a lot of bad snaps from whoever it is who wins the center position.
On the outside Albert will be a huge upgrade, and James will probably have about the same type of year Clabo had last year, which is to say he will start off struggling and end the season pretty well. But he was not on the level of the other top OTs for a reason. Speed rushers will have their way with him early in the season, and he isn't a great run blocker. He was a 2nd rd talent. I expect his ceiling to be some where around what we had in Vernon Carey.
So overall I can't see how anyone not wearing aqua shades could POSSIBLY think our OL improved in the offseason. Let me re-state that. I don't see any way anyone not wearing aqua shades could say our OL didn't take a significant step BACKWARDS this offseason. Benton got ran out of his last job, and though he has had some good years he doesn't walk on water. I will believe it when I see it from this group. They have a chance to be average down the road a few years, but this year's OL play is going to make us look back at last year as the "good ol days". It has a chance to be beyond ugly.
