Is the actual real time knowledge that Sullivan brought to the team.....Yes he weakened up on the physical side as the season went on (and it was a loooong season)......but his ability to get the right blocking scheme is something that Allen doesn't have (solely because of his age/playing time to date).....not saying he can't handle the position as far as the physical part goes.....IMO that can off set the abilities of the mental part Sully brought....at the start of the season....after that the O-Line needs to stay healthy and grow from game to game.....
Losing Saffold was IMO like losing your best trusted friend.....he was there in the bad and was talked about at times IMO badly.....at the same time he was always there.....Noteboom can take his place for sure and play well, but that trusty number 76 is gone.....Noteboom has some shoes to fill.....
That 1st game against the panthers will be a big time measure of this new O-Line.....the panthers are going to bring it on that D side.....IMO our D should handle them well IF we can disarm McCaffery.....that IMO is their main cat (pun intended)......he can do major damage with poor tackling/non coverage.......That 1st game may well be about our D doing big things......until that O-Line gets a real grip and feel for each other.....Staying healthy and maturing....in warp speed (if possible).....