PS: OL Preview

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[bigmike]

First time I have read that Conway's play was inconsistent.

 

[FasterCuse]

I think (and I hope) that this is going to be one of the most improved position groups this year. If you look at some of the changes in weight alone, assuming that most of it was good weight gain, I imagine this group being much more competitive this year, and to actually look like they belong in the ACC.

Below is the 2017 two deep from the 2017 media guide. I've listed their 2017 weights and 2016 weights (per the 2016 media guide) as well as the change in weight. (Position, Number, Name, Year, 2016 Wt., 2017 Wt., Change)

LT 60 Cody Conway Jr. 287 296 9
LT 56 Liam O'Sullivan R-Fr. 240 270 30
LG 59 Aaron Roberts R-Jr. 280 297 17
LG 69 Patrick Davis Fr. N/A 320 N/A
C 68 Airon Servais R-Fr. 260 305 45
C 75 Sam Heckel R-Fr. 265 292 27
RG 63 Evan Adams R-So. 333 338 5
RG 64 Colin Byrne R-So. 312 299 -13
RT 65 Jamar McGloster R-Sr. 328 309 -19
RT 77 Mike Clark R-Fr. 277 292 15

 

[sutomcat]

I don't remember reading about Roberts' health being an issue for preseason camp. Is this the left arm injury he suffered in the spring game? Even if it was broken, that was about 3 months ago. I would have thought it would be completely healed by now.

I knew Servais and Heckel had good springs but this story strongly implies Servais is starting at center and Heckel at guard. Bringing in someone with no game experience to play center when you have someone who has experience available is surprising. They must really like Servais' athletic ability and knowledge of the blocking schemes...

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I don't remember reading about Roberts' health being an issue for preseason camp. Is this the left arm injury he suffered in the spring game? Even if it was broken, that was about 3 months ago. I would have thought it would be completely healed by now.

I knew Servais and Heckel had good springs but this story strongly implies Servais is starting at center and Heckel at guard. Bringing in someone with no game experience to play center when you have someone who has experience available is surprising. They must really like Servais' athletic ability and knowledge of the blocking schemes...

Also, he is the Rhino-Servais. You can't teach that.

 

[blizz]

Improvement in the run game is crucial, and it all starts here.

Have been watching lots of old Baylor and more recent Tulsa games lately. One thing that jumps out right away is the difference in o-line play. The interior o-line absolutely maul the center of the defense on run plays. Even when they lose their gap they don't allow any penetration which allows the rb to bounce to the outside when an interior run breaks down. I'm hopeful that we see some of this soon: stronger and able to hold blocks in unison and punish the interior defenders, and cutbacks by the rb when there is a breakdown.

 

[Orijinal]

Was absolutely NOT a fan of the offensive line's physical appearance in the spring game, and seeing this picture makes me sick again. I'm concerned here. Pudgy in the middle, sticks for arms and legs, and no backside. Not how I like my women or my offensive linemen. Hope that 1) either this was part of the conditioning plan all along and we will see the evidence of exponential growth in body and muscle mass in a couple weeks OR 2) the strength staff completely abandoned this track of conditioning and we still see the evidence of exponential growth in body and muscle mass in a couple weeks.

We ain't out-finessing anyone in the ACC. I don't care how "fast" your linemen are.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[RICuse44]

I am going out on a limb here. There has not been much chatter on this. Hoping it will change.

But... Was talking with broseph tonight and we got into a healthy debate about the Oline. I usually only discuss the Oline in the spring , late summer, and fall. My brother talks about it year round- he was watching a UVA-Cuse basketball game (not that one in March) with one of my friends. My friend was going to slap him because he was more concerned with who was going to be the LT that year (Pugh has just left mind you so the concern was real).

We both figure Conway (inconsistencies and all) and Roberts make a nice tandem on the left. Then we run into a mess. Seems like Servais, Heckel, Byrne, Adams, and Moo Moo all figure into the right side.

I though Byrne was solid last year. I think he finds a way this year at C or G. Servais they have raved about. I've become convinced that Moo Moo has come to play this year. So I guess I would go with Conway, Roberts, Servais, Byrne, and Moo Moo.

Any other ideas/insights?

 

[Orijinal]

I have a good feeling about Patrick Davis. Even if he doesn't see much of the field this year, I think he will be first team next year. Just a feeling

 

[cvilleorange]

2 deep based on who may actually play if injuries happen
LT: Conway, Moo Moo
LG: Roberts, Heckel/Adams
C: Servais, Heckel
RG: Byrne, Heckel/Adams
RT: Moo Moo, ?

Unfortunately I think chunk plays in the run game are going to be tough to come by this year, but I really do like our young depth on the inside. Giving the nod to Byrne at right guard based on his performance last year

At tackle we are very thin. I think Conway is going to have a very good year. I am predicting an Ivan Foy-like senior year for Moo Moo- solid, not spectacular. he has changed his body and sounds like he has taken a leadership role. If we have an injury at tackle, I think one of the interior lineman will shift out, which is obviously not ideal. If it is Conway, I have a lot of concerns about Moo Moo being on the left side. Was not impressed with the footwork of the young tackles in the spring game and doesn't seem like they are ready, but a lot can change in 6 months with young players

 

[Orangtiz]

Improvement in the run game is crucial, and it all starts here.

Have been watching lots of old Baylor and more recent Tulsa games lately. One thing that jumps out right away is the difference in o-line play. The interior o-line absolutely maul the center of the defense on run plays. Even when they lose their gap they don't allow any penetration which allows the rb to bounce to the outside when an interior run breaks down. I'm hopeful that we see some of this soon: stronger and able to hold blocks in unison and punish the interior defenders, and cutbacks by the rb when there is a breakdown.

I like to hear this. Although Servais is inexperienced, the guards really are experienced. IMO the two guards should be Roberts and Byrne. Roberts was good last season and Byrne did a really nice job filling in a center last year. Byrne has the experience and i think they need to run behind those two big-ugly's in the middle.

 

[SoBristol]

Yes, Byrne did well filling in at center, but Servais is better and Heckel is potentially better. At R-OG, Adams is the starter, ahead of Byrne.

August is for building cohesion & consistency with the 5 starters listed in the current depth chart.

 

[Ish88888]

I think (and I hope) that this is going to be one of the most improved position groups this year. If you look at some of the changes in weight alone, assuming that most of it was good weight gain, I imagine this group being much more competitive this year, and to actually look like they belong in the ACC.

Below is the 2017 two deep from the 2017 media guide. I've listed their 2017 weights and 2016 weights (per the 2016 media guide) as well as the change in weight. (Position, Number, Name, Year, 2016 Wt., 2017 Wt., Change)

LT 60 Cody Conway Jr. 287 296 9
LT 56 Liam O'Sullivan R-Fr. 240 270 30
LG 59 Aaron Roberts R-Jr. 280 297 17
LG 69 Patrick Davis Fr. N/A 320 N/A
C 68 Airon Servais R-Fr. 260 305 45
C 75 Sam Heckel R-Fr. 265 292 27
RG 63 Evan Adams R-So. 333 338 5
RG 64 Colin Byrne R-So. 312 299 -13
RT 65 Jamar McGloster R-Sr. 328 309 -19
RT 77 Mike Clark R-Fr. 277 292 15

Thanks for breakdown fastercuse! Very cool. Love what the training staff is doing with the oline. Bryne and mcgloster chiseled down while they added 30 to o'sullivan in just one year. Dino and staff want the OL to be in shape and agile, ready to go FAST!!! Thanks again for the wgt breakdown.

 

[anomander]

I don't remember reading about Roberts' health being an issue for preseason camp. Is this the left arm injury he suffered in the spring game? Even if it was broken, that was about 3 months ago. I would have thought it would be completely healed by now.

I knew Servais and Heckel had good springs but this story strongly implies Servais is starting at center and Heckel at guard. Bringing in someone with no game experience to play center when you have someone who has experience available is surprising. They must really like Servais' athletic ability and knowledge of the blocking schemes...

He dislocated his elbow. He is good to go now.

 

[Ish88888]

Was absolutely NOT a fan of the offensive line's physical appearance in the spring game, and seeing this picture makes me sick again. I'm concerned here. Pudgy in the middle, sticks for arms and legs, and no backside. Not how I like my women or my offensive linemen. Hope that 1) either this was part of the conditioning plan all along and we will see the evidence of exponential growth in body and muscle mass in a couple weeks OR 2) the strength staff completely abandoned this track of conditioning and we still see the evidence of exponential growth in body and muscle mass in a couple weeks.

We ain't out-finessing anyone in the ACC. I don't care how "fast" your linemen are.

I see and understand what you are saying , but, there are conditioning changes and positive strides being MADE. Mcgloster and bryne shaved wgt while keeping their legs and backside. On the flip side , it appears the staff putt a +30 on O'Sullivan, and its athletic weight. Don't think our OL will get pushed around.

 

[CuseLegacy]