O-Line Preview (Post-Standard) | Syracusefan.com

O-Line Preview (Post-Standard)

I think its certainly not a given Reed wins out as the staff has to make it a competition as it should be. i'm sure he was told he has a shot to be a starter or why come here. Its probably fairly close. My guess is that Reed wins out though but its speculating for sure. Certainly wouldn't say Ilaoa is the expected starter though.
 
Last edited:
sutomcat said:
Surprised Emily thinks Ilaoa is the clear starter at center.

Josh has a huge advantage in experience at Syracuse but IMHO, at the least, Reed will give him a major battle for the starting job.

Maybe she knows something I don't know...
Expand...
She doesn’t even know what she knows
 
I want to believe that we have the raw talent to have a decent O-line, but we’ve yet to really witness it in the Babers era. It was in shambles during the Spring. However, I’m cautiously optimistic. We have some pieces, but the O-line is the most important unit on the team where the whole must be greater than its parts. Right now it’s certainly belief without evidence. We’ll see. But, one thing is for certain, if they can’t figure it out, this could be another lost season.
 
SU91 said:
I want to believe that we have the raw talent to have a decent O-line, but we’ve yet to really witness it in the Babers era. It was in shambles during the Spring. However, I’m cautiously optimistic. We have some pieces, but the O-line is the most important unit on the team where the whole must be greater than its parts. Right now it’s certainly belief without evidence. We’ll see. But, one thing is for certain, if they can’t figure it out, this could be another lost season.
Expand...
The 2018 OL with Conway and Martin at the tackle spots was at least “decent”. Plenty of reasons this season to be optimistic about the OL, primarily, in my view, because we have experience across the nominal first unit and some in the second unit who may push for starting roles. We have not had that luxury in several recent seasons.

I don’t get the gloom of “another lost season”. There are enough good pieces in all the units to have hope, at least entering August.
 
We need Ellis healthy. Having Bleich healthy will help as well. I thought Ellis fell off after a great freshman year mostly because he was injured. I hate to say it but i don’t see Iaola starting at C. There was a reason they hit the portal and JC ranks for IOL. My guess for starting day.

More Ellis Reed Bleich Cruz
 
Last edited:
anomander said:
We need Ellis healthy. I thought he fell off after a great freshman year. I hate to say it but i don’t see Iaola starting at C. There was a reason they hit the portal and JC ranks for IOL. My guess for starting day.

More Ellis Reed Bleich Cruz

Vetterello can always play center as well. That’s an experienced IOL
Expand...
Vett is no longer on the team
 
anomander said:
We need Ellis healthy. Having Bleich healthy will help as well. I thought Ellis fell off after a great freshman year mostly because he was injured. I hate to say it but i don’t see Iaola starting at C. There was a reason they hit the portal and JC ranks for IOL. My guess for starting day.

More Ellis Reed Bleich Cruz
Expand...
Ellis is way too heavy and I’m sure that makes him injury prone.
 
SoBristol said:
The 2018 OL with Conway and Martin at the tackle spots was at least “decent”. Plenty of reasons this season to be optimistic about the OL, primarily, in my view, because we have experience across the nominal first unit and some in the second unit who may push for starting roles. We have not had that luxury in several recent seasons

I don’t get the gloom of “another lost season”. There are enough good pieces in all the units to have hope, at least Ba entering August.
Expand...

Yeah, but even in a couple of Baber's 'better' years, it took 3 or 4 games for the offensive line to gel. You don't really have that luxury in P5 football.
 
SU91 said:
I want to believe that we have the raw talent to have a decent O-line, but we’ve yet to really witness it in the Babers era. It was in shambles during the Spring. However, I’m cautiously optimistic. We have some pieces, but the O-line is the most important unit on the team where the whole must be greater than its parts. Right now it’s certainly belief without evidence. We’ll see. But, one thing is for certain, if they can’t figure it out, this could be another lost season.
Expand...

syracusefan.com

Chris Bleich Returning in 2023

Yeah sounds like 2 of the 5 OL are solidified I’m hearing it’s an all out battle for the the other 3 spots. Should be interesting to see how it all plays out. Wont be surprised to see a lot of guys in and out for the Colgate game It will be nice to finally have DEPTH, to have true...
syracusefan.com syracusefan.com
 
IthacaMatt said:
Yeah, but even in a couple of Baber's 'better' years, it took 3 or 4 games for the offensive line to gel. You don't really have that luxury in P5 football.
Expand...
There haven’t been many “better” years. We have 2018 and 2022 - which happen to be years when we had talent, experience and durability at the tackle spots.

In the other seasons, I am not recalling that the OL got significantly better (gelling) in the back part of the schedule after a slow start. I put it down to lack of talent and depth at OL - how many of our OL guys have been candidates for any level of all ACC recognition?

I do believe the quality of our OL depth this year is different. How physical we are in the first unit (compared to good ACC units) is the open question.
 
sutomcat said:
Surprised Emily thinks Ilaoa is the clear starter at center.

Josh has a huge advantage in experience at Syracuse but IMHO, at the least, Reed will give him a major battle for the starting job.

Maybe she knows something I don't know...
Expand...
Any reason why some on here are so bullish on Reed? He appears to have good measurables but he is a JUCO center who joined late. Center is a tough position to play at the D1 level.
 
AAM62 said:
Any reason why some on here are so bullish on Reed? He appears to have good measurables but he is a JUCO center who joined late. Center is a tough position to play at the D1 level.
Expand...
The answer is contained in your question......he is a BULL!

Spain is actually considering changing the event to " Running with the Reeds"
 
AAM62 said:
Any reason why some on here are so bullish on Reed? He appears to have good measurables but he is a JUCO center who joined late. Center is a tough position to play at the D1 level.
Expand...

Don't want to speak for Tomcat, but he's been leading this charge. I invite him to keep me honest on paraphrasing his prior opinions, but it seems to be based upon three factors:
  • Physical tools -- Reed is a BIG, strong dude who holds up at the point of attack better than the last couple of centers we've utilized
  • Level of competition -- Hutchinson CC plays in one of the toughest JUCO leagues, and Reed is battle tested against P5 caliber DL competition, who he faced every game and more than held his own
  • Game film -- Tomcat watched game film, and his optimism is based upon what he observed from Reed
 
RF2044 said:
Don't want to speak for Tomcat, but he's been leading this charge. I invite him to keep me honest on paraphrasing his prior opinions, but it seems to be based upon three factors:
  • Physical tools -- Reed is a BIG, strong dude who holds up at the point of attack better than the last couple of centers we've utilized
  • Level of competition -- Hutchinson CC plays in one of the toughest JUCO leagues, and Reed is battle tested against P5 caliber DL competition, who he faced every game and more than held his own
  • Game film -- Tomcat watched game film, and his optimism is based upon what he observed from Reed
Expand...

I expect Reed to start at some point during the season but he's got a long ways to go and a short time to get there with regard to getting up to speed and adjusting to football at this level.
 
RF2044 said:
Don't want to speak for Tomcat, but he's been leading this charge. I invite him to keep me honest on paraphrasing his prior opinions, but it seems to be based upon three factors:
  • Physical tools -- Reed is a BIG, strong dude who holds up at the point of attack better than the last couple of centers we've utilized
  • Level of competition -- Hutchinson CC plays in one of the toughest JUCO leagues, and Reed is battle tested against P5 caliber DL competition, who he faced every game and more than held his own
  • Game film -- Tomcat watched game film, and his optimism is based upon what he observed from Reed
Expand...
All that is correct.

Also, he was named a JUCO All American. Made the second team. The guys that make these teams are all legit P5 level players who should be able to contribute right away.

www.njcaa.org

2022 NJCAA DI Football All-America Teams

2022 NJCAA DI Football All-America Teams
www.njcaa.org www.njcaa.org

And he played HS ball in Houston. I have a lot of respect for players from that area. He has faced top notch competition for a long time and while the ACC is another big jump for him, he should be better prepared for it than most newcomers to the team.

It is a shame he couldn't enroll for the spring semester and play spring ball, and that might hold him back some.

But we haven't had a player with his measurables and athletic ability at center in a long time.

A very long time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

SWC75
    • Like
Why Syracuse Will Win
Replies
0
Views
462
SWC75
SWC75
SWC75
Why NC State will win
Replies
0
Views
368
SWC75
SWC75
SWC75
Why Georgia Tech Will Win
Replies
0
Views
514
SWC75
SWC75
sutomcat
    • Like
Orangeyes Daily Articles for Tuesday for Football
Replies
2
Views
558
phillydad
P

Forum statistics

Threads
170,650
Messages
4,903,053
Members
6,005
Latest member
CuseCanuck

Share this page

Online statistics

Members online
237
Guests online
1,463
Total visitors
1,700
Totals may include hidden visitors.


...
Top Bottom