O Line

[tep624]

So right now this is our line mix by position (I've excluded any walkons and listed in parenthesis years left)

C - Miller SR (0)
C - Emerich RSO (2)

OT - Hickey SR (0)
OT - Foy RJR (1)
OT - Lasker JR (1)
OT - McGloster RFR (3)
OT - Burton RFR (3)
OT - Ward FR (4)

OG - Trudo RJR (1)
OG - Robinson RJR (1)
OG - Palmer RSO (2)
OG - Hayes RFR (3)
OG - Roberts FR (4)

So we lose Hickey and Miller after the season, and then (if the recruiting class stands) gain 5 new Frosh OL. We'd have 11 returning OL, and if we want to redshirt the newbies, you'd think we'd take a look at maybe a JUCO or two to round out this incoming class. We need depth, but we need guys in that depth that can step in and be effective (which we are sorely lacking this year). To me, OT and C look like the areas (barring injury) that we could really use some veteran depth.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Palmer has played decent at tackle for a natural guard. I think he is good enough to start all season at guard. The recruiting sites had good reviews for Roberts in HS. Depth at guard is better then at center. I wonder if next season is the year Trudo moves to center.

 

[tep624]

Palmer has played decent at tackle for a natural guard. I think he is good enough to start all season at guard. The recruiting sites had good reviews for Roberts in HS. Depth at guard is better then at center. I wonder if next season is the year Trudo moves to center.

I like the 2 deep at guard next year more than any position on the list. I'm very concerned about Tackle, even if Denzel Ward is ready to slide in at RT or LT even (might be a stretch as a RFR), we're extremely thin behind him and Foy. Lasker has been a huge disappointment (I was very high on him after seeing his film after he committed and I admit I blew it on that one bigtime), and McGloster and Burton are both raw unknowns.

Emerich has struggled at times but I still feel he can at least be serviceable. But you're right, maybe Trudo becomes full-time center for a year and one of the true frosh lineman comes in physically ready to hit the Guard 2 deep come fall.

 

[cvilleorange]

I thought that Lasker looked servicable last year, and was encouraged by the news coming out of the spring. I have been disappoitned as well as unfortunately he has looked overwhelmed this year. he looked like he was stuck in mud for the series that Hickey was out against Clemson. I don't how much it has contributed, but I'm sure this has been a really difficult time for him personally with his father

I wonder how much of the issues on the o line are related to this transition to a finesse offense. Even early in the year, they have just not looked that aggressive. Last year, our guards in particular were very aggressive in run blocking and got a great push. Just don't see the same toughness, but the transition at center and injuries have been big issues too.

I feel good about guard and think that worst case scenario is emerich at center, which I am ok with. Tackle is paper thin next year and a little scary. I still don't understand keeping Moore at tight end this year. he was recruited as an OT prospect, but it seems like that ship has sailed considering how much weight they had him lose to play a position in our offense that he just does not have the skill set for.

 

[tep624]

I thought that Lasker looked servicable last year, and was encouraged by the news coming out of the spring. I have been disappoitned as well as unfortunately he has looked overwhelmed this year. he looked like he was stuck in mud for the series that Hickey was out against Clemson. I don't how much it has contributed, but I'm sure this has been a really difficult time for him personally with his father

I wonder how much of the issues on the o line are related to this transition to a finesse offense. Even early in the year, they have just not looked that aggressive. Last year, our guards in particular were very aggressive in run blocking and got a great push. Just don't see the same toughness, but the transition at center and injuries have been big issues too.

I feel good about guard and think that worst case scenario is emerich at center, which I am ok with. Tackle is paper thin next year and a little scary. I still don't understand keeping Moore at tight end this year. he was recruited as an OT prospect, but it seems like that ship has sailed considering how much weight they had him lose to play a position in our offense that he just does not have the skill set for.

You bring up a really good point on Moore. I think the goal with him was to have a strong blocking TE that was still a threat to catch the ball, basically a 6th lineman on some plays.

There are definitely unknowns out there. For all we know, maybe Edouard actually makes it to campus in January, and the staff decides to go with him or AJ, frees up Hunt to be converted to TE and be available as an emergency QB, thereby freeing up a TE spot and allowing Moore to work at OT all Spring and Summer. So maybe there is a wild card out there that will help at OT, stranger things have happened. Even with Moore in the fold though, I'm still worried about our serviceable OT depth. It's such a critical position.

 

[cvilleorange]

If Moore was used in that capacity I would be ok with it. no reason he should be split out other than to block. He has to have lost 20 lbs since last year just looking at him. I am in the minority it seems on this board as I think T Hunt gives us our best chance to win football games, even with his limitations. Edouard is not here and AJ is just not physically mature enough to play college football at this point. Certainly those things could change

People have previously said that McGloster has shown significant improvement, but he has hardly played football in his life, and if he is ever going to be able to meaningfully contribute I would think it would be year 4 or 5 in the program. A lot of technique, pass pro and run game concepts to learn in just 2 years. Burton is a complete unknown to me. With all the progress that Foy made at RT last year (great job by Perles), I just don't think he is athletic enough to play LT. I think the JUCO route is a fine idea, but I think it would be hard for us to find someone who could make an impact at LT. We just haven't been able to get that type of talent through JUCOs or high school kids for that matter. Landing Mavety last year would have been huge. He's on the two deep at FSU, but I don't know how much he has played. He would have played a lot of football for us this year and next

 

[CuseOnly]

If Moore was used in that capacity I would be ok with it. no reason he should be split out other than to block. He has to have lost 20 lbs since last year just looking at him. I am in the minority it seems on this board as I think T Hunt gives us our best chance to win football games, even with his limitations. Edouard is not here and AJ is just not physically mature enough to play college football at this point. Certainly those things could change

People have previously said that McGloster has shown significant improvement, but he has hardly played football in his life, and if he is ever going to be able to meaningfully contribute I would think it would be year 4 or 5 in the program. A lot of technique, pass pro and run game concepts to learn in just 2 years. Burton is a complete unknown to me. With all the progress that Foy made at RT last year (great job by Perles), I just don't think he is athletic enough to play LT. I think the JUCO route is a fine idea, but I think it would be hard for us to find someone who could make an impact at LT. We just haven't been able to get that type of talent through JUCOs or high school kids for that matter. Landing Mavety last year would have been huge. He's on the two deep at FSU, but I don't know how much he has played. He would have played a lot of football for us this year and next

McGloster would not be on the 2 Deep as a RS FR if he couldn't play. He just hasn't had any game experience until last week with the depleted roster. Hoping he makes the leap next year and starts after Hickey leaves. He certainly has the size and looks the part.

Keep in mind that Hickey didn't start until he was a Junior.