OL Injuries and 2011 Season

[javadoc]

I was thinking about the 2011 season again, and how we faded so starkly on the back end. We debated what could be wrong, but it wasn't until after the season that one of the players (a defensive lineman IIRC) said that we were really banged up and guys were playing injured in the later games.

I am wondering if our offensive woes late in this season were caused (in part) by the same thing. On top of all the other variables, the injuries on the OL could have been killer. Guys playing out of position, no chemistry due to constant shuffling, etc. But what I really wonder is whether any of the guys were truly healthy on the back 6. With so many guys having to miss entire games, I doubt that any of them healed fully. It's not enough to say that so-and-so was back for a given game - was he healthy and playing at close to normal?

We didn't have the team depth to absorb that in 2011, and I don't think we have been deep enough recently (ever?) to absorb what happened to the OL this year.

 

[IHeartSUFball]

There's about 10 teams in country that can absorb half their line going down

 

[tep624]

I was thinking about the 2011 season again, and how we faded so starkly on the back end. We debated what could be wrong, but it wasn't until after the season that one of the players (a defensive lineman IIRC) said that we were really banged up and guys were playing injured in the later games.

I am wondering if our offensive woes late in this season were caused (in part) by the same thing. On top of all the other variables, the injuries on the OL could have been killer. Guys playing out of position, no chemistry due to constant shuffling, etc. But what I really wonder is whether any of the guys were truly healthy on the back 6. With so many guys having to miss entire games, I doubt that any of them healed fully. It's not enough to say that so-and-so was back for a given game - was he healthy and playing at close to normal?

We didn't have the team depth to absorb that in 2011, and I don't think we have been deep enough recently (ever?) to absorb what happened to the OL this year.

It was Marinovich that brought it up in an interview. He was one of the walking wounded, his back was in pretty bad shape if I remember correctly.

 

[TheCusian]

I was thinking about the 2011 season again, and how we faded so starkly on the back end. We debated what could be wrong, but it wasn't until after the season that one of the players (a defensive lineman IIRC) said that we were really banged up and guys were playing injured in the later games. I am wondering if our offensive woes late in this season were caused (in part) by the same thing. On top of all the other variables, the injuries on the OL could have been killer. Guys playing out of position, no chemistry due to constant shuffling, etc. But what I really wonder is whether any of the guys were truly healthy on the back 6. With so many guys having to miss entire games, I doubt that any of them healed fully. It's not enough to say that so-and-so was back for a given game - was he healthy and playing at close to normal? We didn't have the team depth to absorb that in 2011, and I don't think we have been deep enough recently (ever?) to absorb what happened to the OL this year.

That and starting a freshman QB behind that line.

 

[Crusty]

Gee, you had to bring back that nightmare?
As I recall, Pugh missed the first four games of the season. His first game back was Rutgers and he slipped on the blocked FG that cost us the game. Our best lineman slipping - that was the story of the whole season. In the first 4 games we scored an average of 27 points without Pugh. In the next 3 games, presumably when we were healthy, we averaged 34. During the 7 game losing streak we averaged 16.2. It certainly seems as if the injuries really told the story of the season.

Anyway, I struggle with the degree to which we disintegrated this year. This year there were 9 games in which we did not score more than 20 points and 5 games in which we scored 10 or less. In other words, bad all year.

Injuries do not seem to explain everything, but we will never know for sure. Most likely they were the primary reason, but probably not the only one.

 

[javadoc]

That and starting a freshman QB behind that line.

I was careful to mention that it was one factor. But the more I think about it, the more I look toward it as a root cause. If the line play isn't good, it undermines everything else.

Playing young, inexperienced QB's is another root cause. I suspect the two have a combined geometric, rather than arithmetic, effect.

 

[anomander]

I was thinking about the 2011 season again, and how we faded so starkly on the back end. We debated what could be wrong, but it wasn't until after the season that one of the players (a defensive lineman IIRC) said that we were really banged up and guys were playing injured in the later games.

I am wondering if our offensive woes late in this season were caused (in part) by the same thing. On top of all the other variables, the injuries on the OL could have been killer. Guys playing out of position, no chemistry due to constant shuffling, etc. But what I really wonder is whether any of the guys were truly healthy on the back 6. With so many guys having to miss entire games, I doubt that any of them healed fully. It's not enough to say that so-and-so was back for a given game - was he healthy and playing at close to normal?

We didn't have the team depth to absorb that in 2011, and I don't think we have been deep enough recently (ever?) to absorb what happened to the OL this year.

I think Robinson was banged up all year. He missed the Nova game, and the rest was history. He tried to play most of the time, but he definitely fell off this season. I'd say injuries were his problem.

Trudo was good until the 2nd part of the season, then they said he was basically playing on 1 leg.

Hickey was healthy for the most part other then twisting his ankle in the Clemson game.

Same with Miller. Missed 1 game I believe, but don't think he was too seriously injured.

Other the Robinson, Ivan Foy would probably come in 2nd for worst luck.

As far as depth goes, I think our interior OL is totally fine. Palmer is a legit 6th lineman. I really don't think they feel there is much of a drop off between him and Robinson, and even Trudo. Even when Robinson was healthy, Palmer got some burn.

Emerich was serviceable. Not sure what it is with him, but he doesn't seem to have developed into what we thought he was capable of. Marrone was high on him as Freshman so I think you could say he's been a bit of a disappointment. Serviceable, but I think his inability to add weight has hurt his development.

The guy I am most excited about is Alexander Hayes. I thought he was great the one game he played. I actually thought he was the best of all the reserve lineman, including Palmer. Hopefully he can grab a hold of the center position next season.

Lasker I think most will agree has been a bust. He's like a human turnstyle. Too bad too because the staff was extremely high on him coming out of Junior College. I know they made a big push to sign him as a Freshman in JC because they thought if he got to his Sophmore season he would have too many big name programs to pull him. I don't think he has turned out like they had originally hoped.

The key to next season, and the few seasons after that is Denzel Ward. It's is imperative that he is able to step in and own the LT spot. This is absolutely crucial. We really don't have any other options then him. If he can own the position we will be set for 4 years. He really needs to stay focused and continue to work on his diet. He absolutely cannot show up to camp again at 373lbs. He needs to stay around 320lb. He will be the key to the 2015 season and beyond.

With all that said I know you and other don't agree, but I am far from sold on Joe Adam. He couldn't have asked for a better situation to fall into. He had it made with an experienced, proven offensive line. Hickey, Foy, and Trudo each had 3 years playing together, and Robinson was with them for 2. They made 4/5 of a line that was the strength of the team the past 2 seasons. What we saw from that unit this past season was totally unacceptable. Sure everyone can blame injuries, but the Nova game was a red flag. Everyone was healthy, but Robinson (even though Palmer and him are interchangeable) and we got pushed around by a unit we had out-weighed by 50lbs per man. Even the CMU game wasn't that impressive. We settled for 3 FG's inside the red zone. We had 1 rushing td by a running back the whole season. Plus there were some rumblings that Adam, and the rest of the offensive staff weren't exactly on the same page. This unit took a huge step back and to me it was inexplicable to what happened? Even next year we return a core who will have a ton of experience. They OL is too good to have similar results to this past season. It's put up or shut up time.

 

[Crusty]

I think Robinson was banged up all year. He missed the Nova game, and the rest was history. He tried to play most of the time, but he definitely fell off this season. I'd say injuries were his problem.

Trudo was good until the 2nd part of the season, then they said he was basically playing on 1 leg.

Hickey was healthy for the most part other then twisting his ankle in the Clemson game.

Same with Miller. Missed 1 game I believe, but don't think he was too seriously injured.

Other the Robinson, Ivan Foy would probably come in 2nd for worst luck.

As far as depth goes, I think our interior OL is totally fine. Palmer is a legit 6th lineman. I really don't think they feel there is much of a drop off between him and Robinson, and even Trudo. Even when Robinson was healthy, Palmer got some burn.

Emerich was serviceable. Not sure what it is with him, but he doesn't seem to have developed into what we thought he was capable of. Marrone was high on him as Freshman so I think you could say he's been a bit of a disappointment. Serviceable, but I think his inability to add weight has hurt his development.

The guy I am most excited about is Alexander Hayes. I thought he was great the one game he played. I actually thought he was the best of all the reserve lineman, including Palmer. Hopefully he can grab a hold of the center position next season.

Lasker I think most will agree has been a bust. He's like a human turnstyle. Too bad too because the staff was extremely high on him coming out of Junior College. I know they made a big push to sign him as a Freshman in JC because they thought if he got to his Sophmore season he would have too many big name programs to pull him. I don't think he has turned out like they had originally hoped.

The key to next season, and the few seasons after that is Denzel Ward. It's is imperative that he is able to step in and own the LT spot. This is absolutely crucial. We really don't have any other options then him. If he can own the position we will be set for 4 years. He really needs to stay focused and continue to work on his diet. He absolutely cannot show up to camp again at 373lbs. He needs to stay around 320lb. He will be the key to the 2015 season and beyond.

With all that said I know you and other don't agree, but I am far from sold on Joe Adam. He couldn't have asked for a better situation to fall into. He had it made with an experienced, proven offensive line. Hickey, Foy, and Trudo each had 3 years playing together, and Robinson was with them for 2. They made 4/5 of a line that was the strength of the team the past 2 seasons. What we saw from that unit this past season was totally unacceptable. Sure everyone can blame injuries, but the Nova game was a red flag. Everyone was healthy, but Robinson (even though Palmer and him are interchangeable) and we got pushed around by a unit we had out-weighed by 50lbs per man. Even the CMU game wasn't that impressive. We settled for 3 FG's inside the red zone. We had 1 rushing td by a running back the whole season. Plus there were some rumblings that Adam, and the rest of the offensive staff weren't exactly on the same page. This unit took a huge step back and to me it was inexplicable to what happened? Even next year we return a core who will have a ton of experience. They OL is too good to have similar results to this past season. It's put up or shut up time.

Now that's interesting about Adam not being on the same page as the rest of the O staff. I had not heard that before.

 

[TheCusian]

Now that's interesting about Adam not being on the same page as the rest of the O staff. I had not heard that before.

Yeah - that's an actual yellow flag.

 

[djorange1989]

I hadn't heard that about Adam either. He is certainly replaceable, seems like a decent recruiter but he isn't McDonald in that regard. Either way, I was unsure how he would be as OL coach before the season, now I am not feeling great about him. Injuries certainly played a part, and that will likely save him, but the Nova game was indeed an indictment of a healthy veteran line not being ready to play.

That 2011 team sucked, even taking injuries into account. No on field leadership whatsoever. When Marinovich is one of your senior leaders you are in trouble. Even at 5-2, it was smoke and mirrors beyond the WVU game. Wake was kicking our butts until their QB went down late in the 3rd quarter and then we came back on them. Tulane was maybe the worst team in the FBS that year(their coach got fired two weeks after we played them) and we needed a FG at the final gun to beat them. That was after Tulane had gotten crushed by a bad Duke team and a very bad Army team. We all remember the Toledo game, no need to rehash that one. That Rutgers game was so infuriating, talk about blowing it.