Where's the beef?

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midatlantech

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Many here didn't grow up with the Charmin commercials and I suspect "Where's the Beef?" will also fall into that category. But,

"Where's the Beef?"

Our OL next year is going to be loaded with freshman. We have 7 now and I bet we play 5 or 6 of them. Our whole season is going to come down to the OL play and I suspect we're going to be disappointed (just based on numbers).

Meanwhile one OL is moving to DT where we're even more depleted.

"Where's the Beef?" Next year we lose two OL starters plus the OL/DT guy?

And we only have 15 or so ships to give out?

"Where's the Beef?"
 
We only graduated 2 O linemen, Brown and Garner and niether of those played in the Miami or UGA games. So we are returning our entire starting line from the end of the season. I would say that is a pretty good sign.
 
mts315 said:
We only graduated 2 O linemen, Brown and Garner and niether of those played in the Miami or UGA games. So we are returning our entire starting line from the end of the season. I would say that is a pretty good sign.
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Yeah while I don't expect all the guys who were on the line then to be the starters next year, I don't think we'll be too young, maybe 1 or 2 freshmen there. Also we only have one scholly senior O linemen, the center. As far as next class goes, we'll have to wait and see what we need in the immediate future.
 
O Line is the toughest place to play as a frosh. My memory is fuzzy, but I think the last true freshman to play on the line was Nate Dorsey.
 
They are freshmen, but they're redshirt freshmen. They've had a year to be indoctrinated by Chairman Johnson, and from what I've heard, they're a vast upgrade over last year's bunch. I'm not worried.
 
Our offensive line play won't be truly up to par until 2011.
 
Allen Koholic said:
They are freshmen, but they're redshirt freshmen. They've had a year to be indoctrinated by Chairman Johnson, and from what I've heard, they're a vast upgrade over last year's bunch. I'm not worried.
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D'oh that's right, I forgot we had some redshirted Fr from 2008 for the o line.
 
The O-Line can only get better...once we get a few more REALLY mean SOB's on the line, we'll be okay. From what I hear, Foster and Finch are both known for their tenacity and mean streaks...for our system, that's what we need...quick fire off the snap and then give em hell till the whistle blows
 
beej67 said:
Our offensive line play won't be truly up to par until 2011.
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You realize with the world ending in 2012, this is bad. That is merely 1, maybe 2 good years of OL play. Could be less if we have an after new years bowl. Why couldn't the Mayans end the world in 2020 or at least the AJ Suggs era?
 
We are fine on OL numbers. The only problem is that we are young.

We will have 14 scholarship OL's next year...plus Krish. We should include Krish who turned down other scholarships to be a preferred walk-on at GT and saw time last year. He could end up on scholly soon. That would be 15.

That is 3-deep at each spot.

We graduate 3 next year...and will recruit at least 3 to replace their spots.

We only graduate one scholly player plus Krish the year after that.
 
hiveredtech said:
We are fine on OL numbers. The only problem is that we are young.
.
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If these young guys can beat out RS Sophs and Jrs, then that says alot and I am not worried.

Basically it means we will not be worse than last year no matter what (since essentially last years line returns); and if they beat out members of last years line then that means they are better...which in turn means the line should be better despite some youth!!!!!

Or at least that is the theory :biggthumpup:
 
refrigeratormover said:
I disagree
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I agree with your disagreeing. I think the latest will be by 2010. In 2008 we had guys who had to learn new techniques plus guys who were moved there because we had no one else. Now we have everyone there who is suppose to play on the O line and the only limit is how fast the new players learn the proper techniques, and I don't think that will be an issue by 2010, only maybe in 2009. The most important thing will be getting a starting O line selected and training the hell out of them to learn the proper blocking schemes, because from what I have heard (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the teamwork of the OL can be the most important thing and getting the group together and set would be a huge step forward.
 
FWIW, I think we will be okay next year just based on our performance at the end of the season with that line returning intact.

But overall I think we have done a poor job recruiting the O-line, especially from a depth standpoint. Hell, last year we had to play Gardner and Smith when they were injured. We could have problems if we get struck by the injury-bug again. It seems we have been on a 4/4 or 4/3 yearly rotation for line recruits. I think it should be a 4/5 to get the numbers you need to find effective players. PWO's may work out for you but most of the time they don't become full time players and aren't likely to contend for a starting job if they do.
 
cyclejacket said:
But overall I think we have done a poor job recruiting the O-line, especially from a depth standpoint.
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I have to disagree somewhat there. What happened was a 180 degree change in offensive blocking schemes and base talent necessary to run the offense.

For instance, in a pro-set with a huge focus on pass protection Nic Claytor and Clyde Yandell were ready to contribute early. However...we instead needed them to drop weight and learn competely new blocking techniques....ones they have never used in their life. Claytor changed his body fast and was able to see the field later in the year...25 lbs lighter than his recruited weight.

Another thing that messed us up was Trey Dunmon transfering because of the new expectations. Instead of having him starting at center...thus freeing up Voss, Gilbert, and Howard at guard....Voss was pressed into action at center after being trained to step in for Rhodes departure at guard. Howard was also already trained to backup AJ Smith at RT.

Granted...the departure of Dunmon hurt us...but what hurt us more (in my opinion) was all of these guys essentially being like true freshmen because they were starting from scratch in the new offense.

Plus...they were being forced to be much more physical than in the past.

One thing we can agree on is that, while young, we have plenty of hogs next year. Fourteen on scholarship with one high end preferred walk-on with experience in Zach Krish.
 
hiveredtech said:
I have to disagree somewhat there. What happened was a 180 degree change in offensive blocking schemes and base talent necessary to run the offense.

For instance, in a pro-set with a huge focus on pass protection Nic Claytor and Clyde Yandell were ready to contribute early. However...we instead needed them to drop weight and learn competely new blocking techniques....ones they have never used in their life. Claytor changed his body fast and was able to see the field later in the year...25 lbs lighter than his recruited weight.

Another thing that messed us up was Trey Dunmon transfering because of the new expectations. Instead of having him starting at center...thus freeing up Voss, Gilbert, and Howard at guard....Voss was pressed into action at center after being trained to step in for Rhodes departure at guard. Howard was also already trained to backup AJ Smith at RT.

Granted...the departure of Dunmon hurt us...but what hurt us more (in my opinion) was all of these guys essentially being like true freshmen because they were starting from scratch in the new offense.

Plus...they were being forced to be much more physical than in the past.

One thing we can agree on is that, while young, we have plenty of hogs next year. Fourteen on scholarship with one high end preferred walk-on with experience in Zach Krish.
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I don't mind the gold colored glasses but we got caught short again on the OL. Next year we are at serious risk of getting caught short on the DL too.

Some of your arguments are certainly valid. We have a new system. We've had probation. But not unlike QB for many years, we've been caught short on the lines recently.

I really hope that these true freshman are ready to play this year because if anything goes wrong, we'll be needing them.

This is probably THE year, skill talent wise. Once soon, it'd be nice if all of our positions were primed at the same time.
 
hiveredtech said:
Granted...the departure of Dunmon hurt us...
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I guess it seems like something like this, the kid from Alabam who just up and quit, and injuries to Gardner and Smith are the type of things we endure every year with our o-line. We should recruit as if these "contingencies" are going to happen because they always do.

I have a lot of confidence that we will be better next year just because these linemen will have another year in the system. But if we continue to recruit as if bringing in 4 means we will have 4 seniors out of that group when we typically have at least 50% attrition over a 4 year career, then some years we will be caught up short.
 
Once we get up to 85 schollies at the end of next year, we shouldn't have too many instances where we run into surprises like we did on OL this past year.
 
cyclejacket said:
I guess it seems like something like this, the kid from Alabam who just up and quit, and injuries to Gardner and Smith are the type of things we endure every year with our o-line. We should recruit as if these "contingencies" are going to happen because they always do.

I have a lot of confidence that we will be better next year just because these linemen will have another year in the system. But if we continue to recruit as if bringing in 4 means we will have 4 seniors out of that group when we typically have at least 50% attrition over a 4 year career, then some years we will be caught up short.
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so what is the solution, not recruit other positions just to make sure that we have enough linemen?

or just one RB and one WR since they never transfer or get hurt?

remember 85 total, that is it. you cant get players in case you lose 50%, you would need more slots
 
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