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[QUOTE="RF2044, post: 289029, member: 40"]
I don't disagree that there are creative ways to spread a defense out. And also that playmakers that the defense has to account for can create beneficial mismatches for other players, etc. and open things up.
 
But I wouldn't underestimate how poor the OL has played in general, and what the offensive coaches have had to resort to in order to avoid the OL getting blown up. Bunch formations with multi-tight ends to provide extra protection. Quick slants to get rid of the ball before the pass rush gets there. Insufficient time to let anything develop downfield because the OL was a sieve. Scaling down what the offense does because the OL didn't hold up enough to run things. All of those things were a factor in the stagnant offense we saw last year--not just play calling / pacing. And until the OL starts to perform better as a unit, player for player, we probably won't see adequate improvement / progress offensively.
 
Like you, I have high hopes for some of the players on the OL. I think Pugh is an above average LT. Trudo is another guy I'm excited about--we need him to live up to the advanced billing. I hope that Hickey's multiple leg injuries don't derail what seemed like a promising career. What can guys like Alexander, Foy, and Curtis bring to the table?  The answers to those questions will go a long way toward determining how good our offense can be this year.  If we can somehow just cobble together 7-8 solid contributors on the OL...
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