Reality is pointing at new blood in the interior of the O line. Glasgow will be involved in the pre snap calls during first 6-8 games and will be phased out. The young interior line will survive but from time to time , there will be a breakdown. Just the learning curve! Morton will have to adjust . Luckily, we have lots of time!
Not even a mention for Trystan Colon? I think he's as much in the Center mix as anyone, especially as a rostered backup option.
Also, all indications point to the Lions *wanting* Tater to be their starting center. Campbell pointed out that the veteran presence on the interior of the line to help with calling out protections doesn't have to be positioned at center. I think the job is Ratledge's unless he proves too green, but I don't think that's the case. Both Ratledge and Mahogany were billed as "ready to play in the NFL on day 1" sort of guys.
Unlike Charlie Brown, I have amazing powers of denial.
I really think they're cross training ratledge in the eventuality that Glasgow gets injured. I'd expect Ratledge at guard imo.
People also keep saying ratledge is the future center, which I suppose could be true....but why would they not draft a center next year? Unfortunately we really didn't an appropriate backup plan for Ragnow retiring.
I think it's wrong to assume that the Lions were blindsided by Ragnow's departure. His announcement was precisely timed so the dead cap money could be spread out over two years, and Campbell said communications were "great" during OTAs. That and the fact they started Ratledge at Center immediately leads me to think the Lions knew BEFORE the draft that Ragnow was leaving, and that Tater was drafted explicitly to play center.
Don't forget, Ratledge has more center experience than we might think. He was Georgia's backup center. He took snaps all year in practice, even if they weren't game snaps.
Finally, I would suggest that the urgency in keeping Fraley was rooted in the knowledge that they needed him not just to develop their next center, but to identify him in the first place. I can see Fraley having a significant say in the drafting of Ratledge -- just like Fipp does in picking guys for special teams.
I think they prefer GG at right guard (his best position) assisting Tater with protection calls. This is also why I think Trystan Colon may be their top center backup -- if Ratledge goes down, you bring in Colon instead of moving GG out of position and plopping your backup into right guard. Fewer moving pieces.
I don't think the lions were blindsided by Ragnow's retirement.....this year. But I don't think they had the capital/long term replacement ready that they would have if they had an inkling it would happen so soon. We also had a drastic need at guard and we drafted two guards. While I think your scenario is plausible- I would like to point out that Ratledge's best position is ALSO right guard. If you're maximizing talent would it not make more sense to have the guy that can manage protections play a position he's played for years and have the rookie learn at right guard?
"However, the foundation is shakier than it has been in a while, with a realistic chance that the unit takes a significant step backward, denting the offense’s overall efficiency."
Reality check. Even with my vast powers of denial, I have to admit that's possible. Goff better hone his duck-and-cover skills, just in case...
Reality is pointing at new blood in the interior of the O line. Glasgow will be involved in the pre snap calls during first 6-8 games and will be phased out. The young interior line will survive but from time to time , there will be a breakdown. Just the learning curve! Morton will have to adjust . Luckily, we have lots of time!
I hope they let Manu focus on developing at tackle, especially if Decker's injury lingers beyond camp.
Not even a mention for Trystan Colon? I think he's as much in the Center mix as anyone, especially as a rostered backup option.
Also, all indications point to the Lions *wanting* Tater to be their starting center. Campbell pointed out that the veteran presence on the interior of the line to help with calling out protections doesn't have to be positioned at center. I think the job is Ratledge's unless he proves too green, but I don't think that's the case. Both Ratledge and Mahogany were billed as "ready to play in the NFL on day 1" sort of guys.
Unlike Charlie Brown, I have amazing powers of denial.
I really think they're cross training ratledge in the eventuality that Glasgow gets injured. I'd expect Ratledge at guard imo.
People also keep saying ratledge is the future center, which I suppose could be true....but why would they not draft a center next year? Unfortunately we really didn't an appropriate backup plan for Ragnow retiring.
I think it's wrong to assume that the Lions were blindsided by Ragnow's departure. His announcement was precisely timed so the dead cap money could be spread out over two years, and Campbell said communications were "great" during OTAs. That and the fact they started Ratledge at Center immediately leads me to think the Lions knew BEFORE the draft that Ragnow was leaving, and that Tater was drafted explicitly to play center.
Don't forget, Ratledge has more center experience than we might think. He was Georgia's backup center. He took snaps all year in practice, even if they weren't game snaps.
Finally, I would suggest that the urgency in keeping Fraley was rooted in the knowledge that they needed him not just to develop their next center, but to identify him in the first place. I can see Fraley having a significant say in the drafting of Ratledge -- just like Fipp does in picking guys for special teams.
I think they prefer GG at right guard (his best position) assisting Tater with protection calls. This is also why I think Trystan Colon may be their top center backup -- if Ratledge goes down, you bring in Colon instead of moving GG out of position and plopping your backup into right guard. Fewer moving pieces.
I don't think the lions were blindsided by Ragnow's retirement.....this year. But I don't think they had the capital/long term replacement ready that they would have if they had an inkling it would happen so soon. We also had a drastic need at guard and we drafted two guards. While I think your scenario is plausible- I would like to point out that Ratledge's best position is ALSO right guard. If you're maximizing talent would it not make more sense to have the guy that can manage protections play a position he's played for years and have the rookie learn at right guard?
What he said
"However, the foundation is shakier than it has been in a while, with a realistic chance that the unit takes a significant step backward, denting the offense’s overall efficiency."
Reality check. Even with my vast powers of denial, I have to admit that's possible. Goff better hone his duck-and-cover skills, just in case...