Oh look our highest rated linemen was the guy way too many people keep banging the drum of moving him back to his "natural position." Lewis is by my estimation one of the best left guards in the game (can anyone who pays for PFF tell me his actual rank among left guards this season please). He finished with a better grade this season than he did at his "natural position." Can this showing put this concept to bed please? His pulling this season to the right made a huge difference in our run game. His consistent pass blocking with only three sacks allowed paid very good dividends in our playoff run.
That was an excellent example of how a speculation is seized upon and grown into a false narrative that in turn becomes a false fact for much of a team's fandom. Indeed, Lewis discounted the narrative .... saying switching sides was not a factor in his year one to year two play. Looking at his historic snaps, Damien went from 90.8% to 70.3% to 96.6%. He had shoulder and elbow injuries in 2021. His 2022 snap percentage is second only to 99.8% for Charles Cross.
To my eye, Damien Lewis looked more flexible and mobile during the 2022 season. A product, i would speculate, of an improved off season program via an upturn in speed and flexibility work.
Player development is a process. Twenty five year old Damien Lewis is making good progress. And even though he was drafted in the Solari era, I think the best yet to come in this ..... the Andy Dickerson era.