Jeff Stoutland is working to make the best better
Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland spent time with reporters after practice and talked about making the best offensive line better.
“There is always a way to make yourself better. There is always room for improvement. And the best part is that I coach players that know that,” Stoutland said. “There are details to everything. We missed on some things last year.”
The lone starting position up for grabs up front is at right guard, where third-year man Tyler Steen has worked with the first team throughout camp. Stoutland is impressed with Steen.
“He played a lot of football last year, you gotta realize that (316 snaps in regular season, 84 in playoffs),” Stoutland said. “I think that helps a player develop confidence and he’s acting that way right now. Today was a big day for Tyler Steen in my opinion. He did some things that I’ve been talking to him about and he executed them and he did a good job.”
After practice, Stoutland was presented with the Pro Football Writers Association Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award, an annual lifetime achievement honor presented to an NFL coach and named after legendary Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman, one of the early, early X’s and O’s gurus who specialized in the line of scrimmage and the battles there. It is a great acknowledgment and deserved recognition for Stoutland, the best offensive line coach in the NFL.