About how we used some of our rookie linemen:
1) Our past two drafts have been good drafts and we did select some linemen.
2) We have been slow to use these rookies with players ahead of them.
3) When we did start to use those rookies I felt we got average to above average performance from them, rookie mistakes & all.
4) Coach Gase has acknowledged that he may have held some rookies back too long. This means it is likely that he will now be putting them on the field sooner than he had been doing.
To me this means we will be seeing some those the rookie linemen used as for starters, and will see some of this years rookies on the field at some time. If this is the case, some of those "problem" positions many posters seemed focused correcting via the draft, may end up not being problems at all.
About the rookie Asiata:
1) I felt he was a good draft pick in terms of promise as an effective NFL Guard.
2) The coaching staff said he wasn't NFL ready yet and basically redshirted him last year.
3) This year we will probably see him on the field. Presuming he will not make the practice squad seems totally unfounded. After he has played a few games we will be able to analyze his performance and determine if he has, or looks like he will live up to his anticipated potential.
This seems to be in line with how the current coaching staffs is using the rookies.
Just so you know, my choice for our first round draft pick has been and continues to be Quenton Nelson, a Guard. I think he will be one of the BPA's and probably better than most of the others players available at pick 11.
