Chris Bleich Update...

[cvilleorange]

That’s interesting, guess the line at current if that’s the case would be:

LT - Bergeron
LG - Ellis
C - Bleich
RG - Davis
RT - Veterello

Then you have some of the younger guys waiting in the wings. We are definitely looking for a portal OT so I expect we’ll have some other upperclassmen in the mix for the 2 deep when all is said and done.

would like to see ilaoa get a lot of reps this spring at center. seems like he was still not quite physically ready this year, but will be sophomore eligibility wise and 3 years in the program this fall. could make a big jump

 

[Dcuse]

You guys are forgetting about Enrique Cruz. Coaches are winking at each other during practice over this guy. He will be your starting RT and most likely move to the blind side when Matt is gone

 

[tep624]

would like to see ilaoa get a lot of reps this spring at center. seems like he was still not quite physically ready this year, but will be sophomore eligibility wise and 3 years in the program this fall. could make a big jump

He needs to take a massive leap. I think Ilaoa is the weakest of the active OL right now. He has a lot of work to do to be a regular starter.

 

[tep624]

You guys are forgetting about Enrique Cruz. Coaches are winking at each other during practice over this guy. He will be your starting RT and most likely move to the blind side when Matt is gone

Not forgetting about him, he just hasn’t stepped on the field yet. If he’s capable of starting at RT as a RF then that would be fantastic.

 

[Cusefan69]

Isn't the RT from UVA in the portal? I wonder if he gets pursued. The guy is a house and started at UVA so our new OC is familiar with his game and vice versa.

 

[cvilleorange]

He needs to take a massive leap. I think Ilaoa is the weakest of the active OL right now. He has a lot of work to do to be a regular starter.

don't disagree, but Bleich will be out this spring and while I don't know details of Vet's injury I'm not sure he will be participating in the spring either. I think will be helpful with depth and I think he has potential to improve as he physically matures. Also would much rather see vet at RT where I think he has been better than at center

 

[PhatOrange]

Not forgetting about him, he just hasn’t stepped on the field yet. If he’s capable of starting at RT as a RF then that would be fantastic.

Exactly. Nobody has forgotten about him but we didn't even see him take a snap even though they're allotted 4 games. The other Hawaiian true freshman Austyn Kauhi played in the Ohio game.

 

[CbusCuse]

Exactly. Nobody has forgotten about him but we didn't even see him take a snap even though they're allotted 4 games. The other Hawaiian true freshman Austyn Kauhi played in the Ohio game.

Interesting that Kauhi got to participate in the first game of the year as a true frosh. I didn't realize that. I assume he played in some capacity on specials. Cruz seems uber athletic so I am actually surprised he didn't get any run in some capacity.

 

[Shenexon]

It seems we invariably need two starters for each offensive lineman position and have struggled because we don't really have that kind of two deep. That's the hardest set of positions on the human body. Other positions have more dramatic injuries, but offensive linemen seem to risk chronic joint issues that others don't. I don't think we've ever had too much depth in that group. I know we talk of having a viable starter for each OL position but that's not going to be nearly enough to thrive at the end of the season.

 

[rrlbees]

I don’t know his health status but a kid that could surprise is Froumy.

 

[tep624]

I don’t know his health status but a kid that could surprise is Froumy.

Did he even participate in Spring Ball this year or has he been perpetually injured?

 

[rrlbees]

Did he even participate in Spring Ball this year or has he been perpetually injured?

Don’t remember about spring practice. But he got into one game this year. Played at the end of the Albany game I believe.

 

[syrBossHogg]

That’s interesting, guess the line at current if that’s the case would be:

LT - Bergeron
LG - Ellis
C - Bleich
RG - Davis
RT - Veterello

Then you have some of the younger guys waiting in the wings. We are definitely looking for a portal OT so I expect we’ll have some other upperclassmen in the mix for the 2 deep when all is said and done.

Yep, I'm not 100% sure on this but to me it seems more likely you can snag a OT from the portal rather than a Center. And with how much Ellis played last year, it'll be tough to keep him off the field if he progresses this offseason. Plus I think Bleich got some practice time at Center right when Schmidt arrived last year.

 

[upperdeck]

its great to have guards and tackles play well.. but it really seems like the best olines all start with a center.. a good one eliminates the up the middle rush, controls when you need double teams and drives the bus. you can hide/help the other spots easier if you must but like every sport when you are weak up the middle you will have issues.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Finwad32]

Health and prosperity to you our young friend!

 

[TexanMark]

Health and prosperity to you our young friend!

He has a long road ahead and no guarantee he'll be healthy enough to play. Hope for the best prepare for the worst.

 

[Offthedome]

its great to have guards and tackles play well.. but it really seems like the best olines all start with a center.. a good one eliminates the up the middle rush, controls when you need double teams and drives the bus. you can hide/help the other spots easier if you must but like every sport when you are weak up the middle you will have issues.

I miss the Macky days. He was smart and more than capable of doing the job physically. That kid worked hard to turn himself into a very solid center.

 

[Franz69]

 

[illestcuse]

 

[RandomGuy]

Did he even participate in Spring Ball this year or has he been perpetually injured?

I think the latter. Limited/injured past 2 seasons. Could easily be a Jake Pickard/ Ed Hendrix situation. Maybe not. Per PFF he was our second highest graded linemen. With limited snaps, that's inconsequential. A few good reps is nice to make you wonder, but need a bunch more than that. Interesting if he heals up.

Bleich has had 4? surgeries in the past 13 months? (or is it 2 years?) Oooff. All I can do is pray it heals well. Injuries suck. I can't help but wonder if he was "playing through it" this year. Hope he's playing past it , next year.

Cruz is interesting. He may develop into something. It's a good thing we have Schmidt. While PFF certainly has issues, Bergeron's grade went up over 20 points this year. Let's see if others benefit, as well. My guess is that they do.

 

[MadNY3]

Healthcare is a natural. Or anything getting him back on the field because he’s been off it a lot.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

He needs to reach out to somewh like IHOP and push the pancake angle.

 

[All4SU]

He needs to reach out to somewh like IHOP and push the pancake angle.

Can NIL seeking players have agents yet. Because I’m sure that’s coming. You may have a future.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Can NIL seeking players have agents yet. Because I’m sure that’s coming. You may have a future.

I would love to have a future