Both of our bookend tackles are oozing talent and grit. They're going to be a joy to watch for years to come.
But more than that, I've been trying to take every opportunity I find to highlight and call out new OLine coach Andy Dickerson. I think the Hawks have truly found a gem in that dude. I realize my explicit bias as former lineman causes me to be more excited by this stuff than most; but that dude has installed a very tricky to assimilate zone blocking scheme efficiently and flawlessly.
He has their split spacing, pace, and lateral movement absolutely dialed in on the outside zone runs. Leaving multiple, clean cutback lanes. And even with some of the more power run block principles, the counters that Pete loves, Dickerson has his guys misdirecting then folding the box defenders in on themselves. He's also really coached some "nasty" into Abe Lucas. He went from one of the most uninterested looking run blockers in college, to a damn pancake chef in a few months.
This team is developing and retooling this year. There will be growing pains. It won't be the same on-field product we're all used to. However I do feel like this team is trending towards becoming the bully in the trenches again. The staff really appears to be laying a strong foundation down.
