O-Line Preview (Post-Standard)

[upperdeck]

We were 5th in the ACC for pass blocking (believe it or not) and 8th in run blocking. Our run blocking graded 60.7 and pass blocking 68.4. One would be considered the bottom end of average and the other the high end of average. I have not seen anything about projections. Not sure they do player projections since all their data and grades are based upon actual plays and analysis.

as taken this is good news, considering so many guys were moved around and playing hurt.. If we got avg play from an oline that had serious issues and never really meshed then maybe we get a bit better play if we can get one that gets some real run together and stays a bit healthier.

 

[orangepassion]

Agree about Ellis. He accorded himself pretty well for a true frosh, and showed that he was a pretty good athlete for being so big [relative to OL].

But IMO, he played too heavy last year, his mobility suffered, and for being so massive he didn't hold up well at the point of attack like you'd expect and open holes.

I'm hearing that he's dropped close to 30 pounds, which hopefully will improve his stamina. Needs to play "stronger," too. This is his third year, so I expect a jump. Him actualizing his potential would go a long way toward the OL solidifying.

Also agree 100% about Bleich. I'm worried that his recovery from off-season surgery took him out of spring ball, but hopeful that his physical ailments will finally be in the rear view mirror now that his hip issue is corrected. As you state, we need him healthy. Would be nice to see what he can actually do when he isn't impaired. This is a key to the OL unit gelling overall, IMO. We have the components for the OL to be MORE than serviceable for a change, with better depth. But that's just on paper.

I remember him just destroying people on his HS tape. Obviously it's a big jump to P5 Football, but I'd like to think he has that in him.

 

[All4SU]

I would wonder about the impact on the center/QB exchanges. Shrader has not had a chance to work with Reed, or anyone for a while. Seems like that will be a big factor in determining C#1.

 

[baggerbob]

Agree about Ellis. He accorded himself pretty well for a true frosh, and showed that he was a pretty good athlete for being so big [relative to OL].

But IMO, he played too heavy last year, his mobility suffered, and for being so massive he didn't hold up well at the point of attack like you'd expect and open holes.

I'm hearing that he's dropped close to 30 pounds, which hopefully will improve his stamina. Needs to play "stronger," too. This is his third year, so I expect a jump. Him actualizing his potential would go a long way toward the OL solidifying.

Also agree 100% about Bleich. I'm worried that his recovery from off-season surgery took him out of spring ball, but hopeful that his physical ailments will finally be in the rear view mirror now that his hip issue is corrected. As you state, we need him healthy. Would be nice to see what he can actually do when he isn't impaired. This is a key to the OL unit gelling overall, IMO. We have the components for the OL to be MORE than serviceable for a change, with better depth. But that's just on paper.

If Ellis and Bleich van be effective, and the center position is solid we could have a great season.

 

[Goin' Deep]

Thing is we have good depth and D1 level skill on the Oline.
And a card yet to be played...a new coach.

It would not surprise me if we see Reed and Ilaoa alternating at the center spot early...
And one of those 2 getting PT at a guard position if the injury bug bites Ellis and/or Bleich.
Who establishes himself, along with Cruz, at tackle is key- Wohlabaugh or More. Wouldn't surprise me to see Woolybully win that battle.

Haven't even mention Bradford, Hoey, Petry, Cruz2.
Oline ought to be in the top half of the ACC.

 

[CbusCuse]

The way I see it is… E. Cruz, Bleich, and Ellis are all locks to start if healthy. They are in our top 7 OL, which is an extremely important number of competent OL to hit.

We brought in 3 transfers in Reed, Moello, and Wohlabaugh. We have to hit on at least 2 of those guys and be comfortable with them in our top 7 OL.

Maybe Hoeh or Ilaoa step up, but who else is there in the program that might see the field? Joe Cruz looked solid in very limited action last year, and has a good frame.

To sum it up can we find 4 guys out of Reed, Moello, Woulabaugh, Hoeh, Ilaoa, and Joe Cruz that will be serviceable as a top 7 role… to me that’s the key to the season.

I assume we can’t expect much from the true freshmen. Mack, Bass. I also just don’t see it with More. His accolades coming here from a lower level just aren’t good.

You also need to add Bradford to your group of finding 4 more guys. He played in 8 games last year and started against Wake Forest for Bleich. He will be in that mix for sure.

 

[CbusCuse]

Thing is we have good depth and D1 level skill on the Oline.
And a card yet to be played...a new coach.

It would not surprise me if we see Reed and Ilaoa alternating at the center spot early...
And one of those 2 getting PT at a guard position if the injury bug bites Ellis and/or Bleich.
Who establishes himself, along with Cruz, at tackle is key- Wohlabaugh or More. Wouldn't surprise me to see Woolybully win that battle.

Haven't even mention Bradford, Hoey, Petry, Cruz2.
Oline ought to be in the top half of the ACC.

Not sure Center is a spot you want to have players rotating with the QB center exchange changing. Doesn't seem likely to me.

 

[cusefan88]

Need 8 good OL to get through the season and I hope/think they have it:

Cruz, Ellis, Reed, Bleich, More
Wohlabaugh, Bradford, Illoa.

 

[RF2044]

Need 8 good OL to get through the season and I hope/think they have it:

Cruz, Ellis, Reed, Bleich, More
Wohlabaugh, Bradford, Illoa.

...and Bradford.

 

[RF2044]

You also need to add Bradford to your group of finding 4 more guys. He played in 8 games last year and started against Wake Forest for Bleich. He will be in that mix for sure.

Bradford started in the bowl game for sure for Bleich [not sure about WF, but that could also be true].

 

[CbusCuse]

Bradford's bio on Cuse.com doesn't mention him starting in the bowl game. Strange that they wouldn't mention the bowl game if he started in it. Also Bleich's bio says he started 12 of 13 games. And the participation report for the bowl game has Bleich starting. You may be mistaken on that one and thinking of Wake.

 

[money3189]

Bradford's bio on Cuse.com doesn't mention him starting in the bowl game. Strange that they wouldn't mention the bowl game if he started in it. Also Bleich's bio says he started 12 of 13 games. And the participation report for the bowl game has Bleich starting. You may be mistaken on that one and thinking of Wake.

Bradford played for Bleich in the Wake game. Bleich played in the bowl game

 

[Goin' Deep]

Not sure Center is a spot you want to have players rotating with the QB center exchange changing. Doesn't seem likely to me.

If you haven't named THE starter and you're opening up at home against Colgate?
As Ernie Banks use to say..."Let's play two!!"

 

[IthacaMatt]

The way I see it is… E. Cruz, Bleich, and Ellis are all locks to start if healthy. They are in our top 7 OL, which is an extremely important number of competent OL to hit.

We brought in 3 transfers in Reed, Moello, and Wohlabaugh. We have to hit on at least 2 of those guys and be comfortable with them in our top 7 OL.

Maybe Hoeh or Ilaoa step up, but who else is there in the program that might see the field? Joe Cruz looked solid in very limited action last year, and has a good frame.

To sum it up can we find 4 guys out of Reed, Moello, Woulabaugh, Hoeh, Ilaoa, and Joe Cruz that will be serviceable as a top 7 role… to me that’s the key to the season.

I assume we can’t expect much from the true freshmen. Mack, Bass. I also just don’t see it with More. His accolades coming here from a lower level just aren’t good.

That's cutting it really close, IMO. I think you need a guy who can play tackle, another who can play guard, and a back-up center. That's 8. Then you're reasonably covered for injuries.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I would wonder about the impact on the center/QB exchanges. Shrader has not had a chance to work with Reed, or anyone for a while. Seems like that will be a big factor in determining C#1.

It doesn't take a ridiculous amount of practice to get the timing down.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Not sure Center is a spot you want to have players rotating with the QB center exchange changing. Doesn't seem likely to me.

Yes, but people do get hurt. We've seen a LOT of that in the last few years.

 

[All4SU]

It doesn't take a ridiculous amount of practice to get the timing down.

Ah. Thanks. I guess I was thinking about so many bad snaps and exchanges we’ve seen in the last couple of years.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Ah. Thanks. I guess I was thinking about so many bad snaps and exchanges we’ve seen in the last couple of years.

Bad snaps come from a combination of factors: noise, stunts by an aggressive defensive front, guys not certain of their blocking assignments, familiarity with the QB's cadence and hesitations in the snap count. All of those things can be a factor, along with the QB just pulling out too soon, in response to all the same stimuli - noise, aggressive D, nervousness, adrenaline, etc.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The way I see it is… E. Cruz, Bleich, and Ellis are all locks to start if healthy. They are in our top 7 OL, which is an extremely important number of competent OL to hit.

We brought in 3 transfers in Reed, Moello, and Wohlabaugh. We have to hit on at least 2 of those guys and be comfortable with them in our top 7 OL.

Maybe Hoeh or Ilaoa step up, but who else is there in the program that might see the field? Joe Cruz looked solid in very limited action last year, and has a good frame.

To sum it up can we find 4 guys out of Reed, Moello, Woulabaugh, Hoeh, Ilaoa, and Joe Cruz that will be serviceable as a top 7 role… to me that’s the key to the season.

I assume we can’t expect much from the true freshmen. Mack, Bass. I also just don’t see it with More. His accolades coming here from a lower level just aren’t good.

You've forgotten More.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

If Allen is used in the offense as I suspect (short receptions that function like a run game), his ability is going to make a lot of things easier for whichever group emerges as the OL unit.

 

[cusefan88]

If Allen is used in the offense as I suspect (short receptions that function like a run game), his ability is going to make a lot of things easier for whichever group emerges as the OL unit.

Feels like that is the move especially with Farmer coming in as OL coach and known for his pass pro.

 

[CbusCuse]

Feels like that is the move especially with Farmer coming in as OL coach and known for his pass pro.

Lequint catching short passes should be a good game plane especially with the set of big receivers we’re likely to have in the game that can block. Gadsden, Isaiah Jones and Alford could all be in playing at the same time quite a bit.

 

[shu 49]

Not sure Center is a spot you want to have players rotating with the QB center exchange changing. Doesn't seem likely to me.

No not really. I truly feel they have working on play book now with someone to get caught up. I truly feel he will start and do well. I do love a battle with iolla though as iron sharpens iron.

 

[money3189]

Hoping Reed can pick it up fast. He has to win the battles in practice/scrimmages. Grade out better and you will get the job. Can’t rotate centers in meaningful games. The position has many duties that determines how the unit functions. Consistency is important.

 

[cusefan88]

Hoping Reed can pick it up fast. He has to win the battles in practice/scrimmages. Grade out better and you will get the job. Can’t rotate centers in meaningful games. The position has many duties that determines how the unit functions. Consistency is important.

He posted some pictures on IG. He passes the look test big-time. I once talked to a staffer many years ago and he said the players that came back from summer looking the part always separated themselves.