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Were you surprised Tyler Booker didn't play in the first preseason game, the only healthy first-round pick in the NFL who didn't? I get they want to protect their starters, but doesn't he need experience before the games really matter? – Adrian Walker/Little Rock, AR
Nick: Surprised? Yes, a little. Shocked? Not really. Seeing Booker walk out without pads like some of the other starters made my eyebrows raise a little, but I can see both sides to this one.
Yes, he's a rookie who absolutely needs to play. I've always said the best way to learn how to play football ... is to play football. He needs the reps, as does the entire offensive line. But at the same time, he's also a starter, and there's really not a question about that. Just like the other projected starters, Booker didn't play. And I get it, people could go back and forth all day long about the fact that he's a rookie and has never taken a meaningful snap against the fact that he's a starter and could get hurt.
I've heard the comparison to second-round pick Donovan Ezeirauku, who did play a few snaps. But to me, he's not the starter on the depth chart and maybe won't be for a while. When you look at pass-rushers, you've got Micah, Fowler, Sam Williams, Kneeland and then EZE. So the risk just isn't the same as putting Booker out there when he's already your second-best guard behind Tyler Smith and he's the starting right guard. I say all of this to say this - I'll be shocked if Booker doesn't get a single snap in the preseason at all. This game vs. Baltimore makes the most sense to me.
Kurt: Like most people, I was definitely surprised Booker didn't play. In fact, to me, having the entire offensive line out there for a bit would have been nice. They need game reps together.
We've heard a lot of talk about culture and being physical from head coach Brian Schottenheimer, which made me think we might see a different approach to these preseason games. I'd love for all the starters get at least a series of action in order to be better prepared when the games count for real. I mean, if Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow can take the field in these exhibition contests, can't Dak Prescott?
I get that staying healthy may be the ultimate goal of the preseason, and player evaluation is probably a close second, but I feel like there needs to be some focus given to also getting the starters ready. Can that be done simply in practices and one scrimmage? Especially on the offensive line, and especially when you have a rookie in Booker at right guard and Nate Thomas, who is essentially a rookie as well, at left tackle. That seems unlikely.
Maybe they'll get more snaps in the upcoming preseason games. Otherwise, you have to wonder, if they can't build chemistry now, will those big men up front be ready to power this offense come Week 1 in Philadelphia? Let's hope so.
Mailbag
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