Trying to remember and in Coach Johnson's era, the one most frequently mentioned was his very first center on as makeshift a line as can be imagined. Sean Bedford was a walk on defensive tackle that was moved to center in another of Coach Johnson's flashes of insight and played quite well. Austin Barrack, as I recall, was a tight end by trade and was moved to offensive tackle with serviceable results but I don't think he was a walk on, maybe he was. I don't know if Key is a good recruiter and a terrible coach or a poor judge of talent or what the problem is but it does not seem to be getting any better. Frustrating to us, damn near life threatening to Jeff and anyone else foolish enough to risk life and limb behind that line.
People forget how bad Johnson’s first OL was. Few OL, fewer were skilled enough to handle the demands of complicated blocking schemes, but somehow they got it done and were a serviceable patchwork unit.
Didn’t take 3 years and if your only argument was it was easier to be successful in his scheme, why in hell are we trying to do something very hard with the wrong people now? Run an easy scheme the best you can and get the most out of it possible. Who in their right mind coaches to repeatedly stick a knife in your eye every play when there’s a much easier and demonstrated more successful option available?
Give yourself time to work S&C and recruit better as you go so you can look at least half competent.
My problem with Long is he’s doing the same damn thing. Along, slow developing plays leaving our QB to get slaughtered. Ball needs to be out of QB’s hands in 2 secs or less with our line. 2 reads, then run or throw or throw it away unless it’s crunch time.