Again my focus will be on the offensive line. I am wondering if we will see
@BonifayRam poster boy in A.J. Arcuri playing LT today? Austin Blaske started last week and handled himself very well. On the unofficial depth chart, Blaske is listed as a right guard and he was not close to the right side last week.
Blake Hance replaced Keegan Trost after the injury, but the depth chart shows Bryce Henderson ahead of Hance. Henderson held up well last week at RT in limited reps. He could get more action this week as he has great size, but Henderson struggles in pass protection or did at Vanderbilt last year so we will see how it plays out.
Beaux Limmer had his best game in years last week and many of the good runs were over the right side, so another opportunity for Limmer to showcase improvement. Bill Murray (not the comedian) played LG, in fact, I believe Murray played the majority of the snaps there, so with Justin Dedich still healing, I expect Murray to get the start although if Arcuri starts at LT, Blaske could slide in there.
Dylan McMahon played the whole game last week at center with checkered results. A few errant snaps and he did not grade out that well in the run game, but he had a key block on the screen TD pass to Dean Connors. I thought he stonewalled most of the nose guards in pass protection and he was the only guy the coaching staff trusted in the pivot besides Shelton, so IMO, that speaks volumes.
Wyatt Bowles came in after Limmer at RG, but overall, no sacks and a few pressures allowed mostly on the exterior. On the Stetson Bennett pass on third and goal, Blaske gave up his only pressure of the game, which forced Bennett to hurry his throw to TE Max Klare, which fell incomplete. Blake Hance also gave up a few pressures, but the magician Ty Simpson with his magical feet was able to move around the pocket and extend the plays.
IMO, the Saints DL will be a better test for the backups, but the continued improvement of Limmer and whoever is playing LT has my interest in this contest for obvious reasons.
