That is an intriguing idea. Maybe we're one hand short on recruiting but maybe he could make up for with offensive improvement.
It is hard to miss the decline in O line play began with the new OL coach.
The current data set is circumstantial, at best. Correlation is not causation.
I have hypothesized about possible deleterious impacts that Barnett's presence could make. I'm always led to the conclusion that if it's obvious and egregious - then Kirk will make a change at the end of the season. When it comes to line play ... Kirk IS a stickler.
Anyhow, the data set permits alternative conclusions too.
Last season there was also plenty of adversity on the OL - with Ince having mental health issues and Schott being injured. That forced the hands of the coaches ... and our lone veteran was Linderbaum.
This season, we against open the season with guys being injured entering the season. That impacted the ability for guys to get a head start on any gelling.
On top of that, we have a new C ... that often brings with it a transition. Then, to potentially make matters worse ... two of our most veteran guys on the OL ... DeJong and Plumb ... they haven't proven themselves to be the models of leadership and consistency that we need to be. So we're still stuck with a bunch of young guys who were effectively rudderless (at time) through the season.
The staff clearly has made personnel adjustments in order to find better personnel combos and/or to play to the strengths of particular guys. However, when you have change-ups like that ... it upends the gelling process. And, on top of that, promising young guys like Stephens and Dunker have been dinged at times through the season. That furthermore, undermines our personnel continuity too.