I guess I will chime in on the SD discussion. Sometimes what you want to hear and what you need to hear are two very different things, whether you are a family member or the player involved. I have no clue what SD is hearing from our staff on the inside, but I feel pretty clued in on the stuff that has been said in public. Overall, I think the staff has recognized his amazing potential, which I have always felt myself. But, they have have also recognized that he has a ways to go to actually reach it, which I also agree with, not because he is doing poorly, but because his ceiling is so high. Sometimes the best advice and mentorship is the absolute toughest to deal with at the time, but pays off greatly in the long run. I tend to look at things this way: imagine since his arrival, the staff constantly telling him that his state of readiness (whether body compostion, fitness, strength, knowledge, or techinique) was fine. We recruited him that way, afterall. He didn't need to eat better or work harder because he was good enough as is. How likely would it be that he comes anywhere close to his potential? It is pretty obvious to me that SD has worked much harder to get ready for this season than his first two. With that said, I can also tell you that there are tons of athletes out there that are doing more. There are guys who want that dream and they know they are on the bubble in terms of talent and they are finding every way they can to improve themselves just to have a shot. They are living in the weight room and managing their diets like a freak. They are running stadium steps, stretching, doing agility drills and the like all day long. I know because I have lived close to them and been involved with them myself. It is an extremely competitive world. Shamire has a huge advantage over these guys in that he is absolutely blessed with an amazing frame and athletic ability. He is not on the bubble in that sense. IMHO SD is just learning about what it takes, in terms of sacrifice. The last thing I would ever want to do is discourage that, but ultimately, it has to come from within.
I love the fact that PB is in the mix. It is great for the team. Having 3 guards ready to play at a high level will make all of them better. SD shouldn't worry. He should capitalize.
If SD can learn to execute this offense well in all phases of OG play, he will be way better heading into the pros. They do any and all of the stuff we ask our guys to do. They may pass block more often, but they need goal line run blocking and they need to cut people as well. SM took great advantage of this fact. He worked on his pass blocking some in pro camp, but being a solid run blocker with all of the needed skills really paid off. I don't buy for a minute that our offense doesn't help SD. It will if he buys in, embraces it, and makes it work for him.
I was some kind of impressed by SD's interview the other day. His candor, sense of humor, self deprecation, and obvious intellect were absolutely endearing to me. Being smart and willing to learn will help a lot at the next level too.
I am willing to bet, 10 years from now, when SD is a tenured veteran in the NFL, having signed a couple big contracts, he will look back at the GT staff (and experience in general) and be thankful for every bit of it because it made him a better man. CPJ may be a tough SOB, but so was my drill instructor and I have no illusions about how those salty SOBs made me a man. I don't seem to remember too many compliments coming my way. I'll tell you this though, after that experience, I never EVER doubted myself again. It has carried me and sustained me through life and I am so thankful.
