Progressing nicely isn't the same as tearing it up.
Reading between the lines (but not reading much into) what Havs is saying about Bruss I see a polite, team-friendly assessment that states clearly that the position is not only up for grabs, but that Bruss isn't to be penciled in.
I remember the pool-jump ecstasy at Bruss' signing last year. I remember the gradual demotion PR statements after that - from immediate starter, to ready by mid-season, to he'll get regular playing time by the end of season - meaning he'll get reps by then.
Not the trajectory we'd hoped for, and putting Havs' comments in that context, nothing has changed.
My own guess from here is that McClendon will be Havs' understudy at RT, Shelton as a returning vet who knows the position might be leading the pack at RG, and that Bruss is somewhere in the pack. We were led to expect more from Bruss.
Peeling the onion further: Havenstein is the guy who called a players-only meeting last year, met with McVay after, and maintained the confidentiality of both meetings. He's not about to dump on anybody out-of-turn, but calls things as he sees them. What he isn't saying about Bruss could speak volumes.
Could the Bruss pick be part of the reason we have a new OL coach this year? Were Snead/McVay not happy with what they'd been sold? And I also wonder: given the outfall from other coach-influenced picks, has Snead been mantled with more final say authority for the 2023 draft? It's still a collaborative effort, but where is the balance point?
I hope Bruss pans out but I wouldn't be surprised if he washes out instead.
