Daily Norseman
Despite all the valid complaints about KOC and KAM, the poor play of the offensive line and of Wentz, the defenses inability to stop the super quick passing game and running game, the inane penalties, and the turnovers, the team STILL had a chance to tie or win the game with under two minutes to go.
You can say what you want about KOC but he managed to get 13 wins in 2022, and 14 wins in 2024. 2023 was down due to the loss of Kork for half the season. KOC somehow, someway, always manages to have his team in most games.
At the end of the day, that is all you can ask for. A chance to tie or win the game with your last drive. That is entertaining! Sure it is frustrating while watching but that is the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
KOC does not have teams that give up. I do not recall many games where that was the case. Maybe one game a season the team gets it’s arse handed to it but that happens to every team once a year.
This team battled through all the adversity and still had a chance to win.
I am not worried about KOC or KAM really. Both are learning and growing in their positions. I am not ready to call the 2025 free agent class a disaster or not very good. Hargrave and Allen are not grading very good right now but the season is long. It seems that Flores is playing Redmond and LDR a lot to give the players rest. It could prove wise late in the season.
Going forward, the state of the offensive line is a huge worry. Brian O’Neill only has a sprained MCL and might return in a few weeks or a bit longer. I am not sure Justin Skule is going to do much better but he is all they have unless they turn to Walter Rouse.
Ryan Kelly should probably hang up his cleats for the sake of his healt and his family. It was worth a shot I suppose. Drew Dalman was the top free agent at center but the Bears gave him a 3 yr 42M deal which I am sure he could not pass up. He is a really good run blocker but his pass blocking grade is worse than Jurgens. I hope Ryan Kelly makes the decision that is best for him and his family. If he wants to continue to play then I would expect him to miss a couple of weeks if not more.
There are some offensive linemen available on practice squads.
IOL Seth McLaughlin – Bengals
IOL Cole Strange – Browns
OT Trent Brown – Texans
OL Trysten Colon – Lions
C Michael Deiter – Commandos
IOL Drake Nugent – Cardinals
I would probably try to sign Trent Brown and Seth McLaughlin. McLaughlin was an excellent center at Ohio State and won the Rimington award in 2024. He suffered an...
