[socalstanfan1]

[quote author=socalstanfan1 link=topic=5830.msg42946#msg42946 date=1334508403]
...the backups for Luck, DeCastro and Martin essentially never left the sidelines.

That's not quite true.  The OL backups played quite a bit in packages with extra linemen.  So they have game experience.  But playing as an extra lineman isn't the same as playing guard or tackle in a more standard package, particularly when it comes to blocking schemes and blitz pickups.
[/quote]

OK, I stand corrected.  But, the overall point I think (as you yourself indicate) is valid: Richards, Carrington, Brown, and Browning all got considerable playing time in the base defense last year due to either the coaches decision to rotate them in, or injuries to starters.  The backups for Martin, DeCastro and Luck received almost no PT in the base offense, since those players remained largely injury free and rarely came off the field when the offense was in.  So it stands to reason that the new offensive players may take a bit longer to get up to speed (and it will take a bit longer for coaches to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses) than the guys on the other side of the ball. 

Personally, the more I read about our defense, the better I feel about it.  And Kelsey Young, it seems, will be a very large contributor to the offense this year.  Maybe his hands are not yet consistenly there for receiving the ball, but he still has a while to improve on that part of his game, and he may yet work his way into a role in the backfield. 

[socalstanfan1]

[quote author=socalstanfan1 link=topic=5830.msg42946#msg42946 date=1334508403]
...the backups for Luck, DeCastro and Martin essentially never left the sidelines.

That's not quite true.  The OL backups played quite a bit in packages with extra linemen.  So they have game experience.  But playing as an extra lineman isn't the same as playing guard or tackle in a more standard package, particularly when it comes to blocking schemes and blitz pickups.
[/quote]

OK, I stand corrected.  But, the overall point I think (as you yourself indicate) is valid: Richards, Carrington, Brown, and Browning all got considerable playing time in the base defense last year due to either the coaches decision to rotate them in, or injuries to starters.  The backups for Martin, DeCastro and Luck received almost no PT in the base offense, since those players remained largely injury free and rarely came off the field when the offense was in.  So it stands to reason that the new offensive players may take a bit longer to get up to speed (and it will take a bit longer for coaches to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses) than the guys on the other side of the ball. 

Personally, the more I read about our defense, the better I feel about it.  And Kelsey Young, it seems, will be a very large contributor to the offense this year.  Maybe his hands are not yet consistenly there for receiving the ball, but he still has a while to improve on that part of his game, and he may yet work his way into a role in the backfield.