[SBXVII]

Whats perplexing is Kyle Shanahan stated in one of his interviews that he is satisfied with the OL product we have now. Said he has no problem with the OL as it is right now and believes we would be competative... as is. When asked who he would use at LT he stated Heyer was the LT today (meaning Sun.). He basically said most people think with the zone blocking scheme teams need smaller faster OL and he stated thats a fabrication. He stated they prefer big guys who are fast or can move in space relatively well.

So my question is.... is there any possible way between Buges and Zorns scheme is the reason the OL did not do so well and the new coach's have seen this and are happy with our talent?

On how he feels about the offensive line:

“I'm real excited about our offensive line. They talk about that that's been a weakness and stuff, but I don't see it on tape and I don't see it on the field. We've got some real good players. I think we've got some big guys who aren't just big guys who stand still. We got some big guys who can move.



“We've just got to get them in shape and get them used to running the zone scheme, and running and cutting and I think we've got a good chance there.”



On if he sees a difference in the team compared to on tape:

“No. It's not different. It's tough when you watch tape of an old staff; you don't want to watch too much, because you're not watching scheme. You don't know what they're asking players to do, so you're not really evaluating that. You're trying to watch the individual. When you watch the individual, you do see talent. You see size and you also see speed. And as a coach, that's all you can ask for.



“Now we want to get them on the field and see. We know they're talented. Can they do what we're asking them to do? Each day they got better, and hopefully by training camp they'll continue to grow.”



On the zone blocking scheme:

“All 32 teams use the zone blocking scheme. I just think the difference in the commitment to it. We're going to commit to it. We're not going to do much else. We're committed to running the zone, getting guys moving, and I really think it's just what you emphasize.”



On what makes a good offensive lineman:

“Everyone thinks you want them small and quick. Well, we want them fast. They have to be able to run. We want a big guy, too. Not all big guys can run; if you can get a big guy who can run, then you've got Pro Bowl type players. It's just hard to find those guys, but when you have them you couldn't look for anything else.”



On if he is confident in the left tackles on the roster:

“Oh yeah.”



On if he is confident in the left tackles on the roster as of today:

“You better feel confident going into the draft with every position you have, because I've been around enough -- not too long, but around enough -- to realize that if you're dependent on getting a player in the draft, you're going to be pretty disappointed because it rarely works out that way.



“You get your team, you've got to be good to go through free agency and what you see out here, and then everything in the draft is just a bonus.”



On who is the starting left tackle:

“I think it was [Stephon] Heyer today.”



On if he feels confident with the current offensive line:

“I definitely do. I think we can compete definitely with what we have. Whatever the position is, you always want to get guys who are better, but no doubt, we can compete with our team out there.”