You can know by understanding this:
Graves and Keim have both been here a long time. Last year, however, Keim was promoted to Head Scout AND Director of Player Personnel. In that function, he has a lot to say about what kind of personnel we bring in.
Prior to last year's free agent and draft periods, the position coaches would ask for specific players. We constantly got O'linemen who were mauler types, (but we seldom ran the ball). Our O-linemen had trouble pass blocking, at least the tackles did. That is why there is so much hate for Levi Brown on this board. He had one hell of a time learning the pass block speed rushers successfully. Until last year, we also drafted, and signed FA cornerbacks who could cover, but we played them off the line, and they couldn't, (or wouldn't) tackle. When Horton came in, he and Keim started going after corners could could tackle also. Now Horton can play them all over the place, (even as safeties). It is working.
We took no O-linemen last year, but EVERY ONE we took this year can pass block. Don't you suppose that Keim told the position coaches that they were wasting time and money by taking run-blockers. We pass the ball, and now we have drafted three O-linemen who can pass block, Hallelulia !!
Incidently, take note that Levi opted to come back to us in free agency, modifiying his contract to a more reasonable one. That says a lot about his character in my opinion. Maybe some on this board will begin to understand that he is much better that we give him credit for as he continues to improve this year.
