Coaching staff experiments with different OL lineups on day three

Written by Matthew Cannata
On day three of training camp, the coaching staff experimented with a few different combinations on the offensive line. Sam Brenner took snaps at center with the first-team unit, while rookie third-round pick Billy Turner got some work with the first-teamers at left guard. First-round pick Ja’Wuan James, Dallas Thomas and Branden Albert again took all the first-team reps at right tackle, right guard and left tackle, respectively. 

“(I’m) definitely seeing a lot of development from the OTAs, where not surprisingly because coming from North Dakota State from left tackle, playing a new position, there’s a learning curve,” head coach Joe Philbin said. “I think we all acknowledge that. He’s far ahead of where he was in the OTAs, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. He’s an athlete. He has good movement skill. He’s one that really needs to learn the concept of leverage, especially when you go inside. I think it becomes even more of a critical factor.” 

Philbin said that we shouldn't get used to seeing a certain lineup on the offensive line as they will continue to experiment until they find the right fit.

“I think we’re going to look at some different combinations,” Philbin said. “I think there’s going to be excellent competition. This is kind of step one. This is kind of a transition from OTAs with nothing, from shells, now to pads. There’s going to be excellent competition and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some changes.” 

Also of note in the article was the fact that first-round pick Ja'Wuan James is in negotiations with Dallas Thomas to get number 70, which is what he wore all throughout college. James is currently #72.

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