I know there are limited options with Johnson out and Dillard has a lot more upside than Big V, but starting a rookie at a new position where he literally has to do everything in reverse from the way he has done it his entire career, against one of the very best DEs in the league, in a must-win game seems like a recipe for disaster.
I don’t know that Valapuol-however-you-spell-it will fare much better against Clowney, but he has a lot of experience on that side and has played against top ends before, so he really is a better option than Dillard. I also realize that Clowney is not having the same impact he did a few years ago, but coming off his best game of the year his confidence has to be high and facing a rookie at a new position must have him drooling for a chance to reset his season.
I’m worried that Dillard will not only struggle with the position, but we risk injuries that we don’t need to risk. He likely will be schooled to the point where he may take significant steps backwards in his development - especially if (I don’t want say it in case the football gods are listening) but if a certain key player ends up unable to play next week because of a Dillard mistake, it could set the line back months if not years. Peters needs to hang it up after this season so having Dillard ready to take over on the left side next Fall is critical. Moving him to a new position against Clowney is not the way to get him ready for that IMO.
I don’t know that Valapuol-however-you-spell-it will fare much better against Clowney, but he has a lot of experience on that side and has played against top ends before, so he really is a better option than Dillard. I also realize that Clowney is not having the same impact he did a few years ago, but coming off his best game of the year his confidence has to be high and facing a rookie at a new position must have him drooling for a chance to reset his season.
I’m worried that Dillard will not only struggle with the position, but we risk injuries that we don’t need to risk. He likely will be schooled to the point where he may take significant steps backwards in his development - especially if (I don’t want say it in case the football gods are listening) but if a certain key player ends up unable to play next week because of a Dillard mistake, it could set the line back months if not years. Peters needs to hang it up after this season so having Dillard ready to take over on the left side next Fall is critical. Moving him to a new position against Clowney is not the way to get him ready for that IMO.
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