Same path as Unger

[Sperrydogg]

To each their own .........

I enjoyed the play of JR Sweezy.

Successful transition from defensive lineman to offense. Explosive get off with the snap of the ball. Started 104 games of 117 games played. Totaled 6803 snaps over an eight year career with 3 different teams. Partially overcame a terrible knee injury.

When I see a lineman struggle to get off with the snap of the ball, Sweezy comes to mind as someone who showed the way and did it right.

I did too, it just seemed like they were always trying something besides just getting a dang lineman. Bad example I guess cause he worked out

 

[GemCity]

Well said.

It’s rare that a rookie OL guy is amazing. The NFL is a huge step up for these guys.
I’m happy to give a guy a couple/3 seasons to evolve.

 

[Jville]

I did too, it just seemed like they were always trying something besides just getting a dang lineman. Bad example I guess cause he worked out

In all fairness, Sweezy was the one successful conversion out of 3 or 4 attempts beginning in 2012 IIRC. As a member of the 2012 rookie class, the Seahawks signaled a recognition of the ongoing shortage of NFL ready offensive linemen coming out of college ball.

A NFL ready scarcity that continues to this day.

 

[Morpheus08]

What I recall from Unger's rookie season is he struggled to hold down RG... and many of us questioned the decision to move him to center in year two, although that is where he starred at Oregon... and those of us with doubts were shown that it was the right decision because he shone at Center his sophomore year.

The question is... why the huge difference? Was it simply the positional change?... or was it the steep learning curve going from college to the NFL in terms of the quality of the players across from you in the trenches?... or a combination of both? Who knows for certain, but it sure was a relief to see that he was worthy of his 2nd round selection after year two.

And then he just got better and better until he was injured... and in hindsight, we gave up on him too soon. We got Graham and he never quite lived up to our expectations... and the Saints got a Pro Bowl center that played at a high level for the next four years.

Back to Zabel... my preference is he is positioned where the coaching staff believes that he'll make the most difference. If that's at LG, so be it. If at Center, so be it. Imo, it's not about Olu... it's about getting the biggest improvement possible adding Zabel to the offensive line.

Unger was a whipping boy.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

He was?

 

[MagnificentSeven]

It's early, but....

Even a blind squirrel finds a broken clock twice a day when looking for a nut, or something like that....

 

[Atradees]

Unger was a left tackle at Oregon. He played up and down the line. Not a probowler as far as I know. A good Duck. 6 foot 5 in but slender at 305.
These guys don't run as fast as their pro days or weigh the same but Unger was just slim. So he was an overachiever but not worth lamenting.

 

[Jac]

Hopefully third time at center is a charm and we keep him this time (Mawae, Unger).

 

[Atradees]

Hopefully third time at center is a charm and we keep him this time (Mawae, Unger).

Kevin Mawae became a stud. One of our all timers. Like Pete Kendall, Walter and Hutch.

 

[Trackhawk]

What I recall from Unger's rookie season is he struggled to hold down RG... and many of us questioned the decision to move him to center in year two, although that is where he starred at Oregon... and those of us with doubts were shown that it was the right decision because he shone at Center his sophomore year.

That’s how I remember it