Oline and this regime

[meatpile]

While there are other issues, I think the #1 problem with the team is the OL run blocking.

With 8 in the box - Jake finds smitty. Or whoever else got open b/c 8 in the box and smitty doubled.

NOt only does it affect offense - the inability of the offense to control the ball leaves the defense on the field. This does not excuse the defense playing as it has the last 2 weeks, but it doesn't help whe we can't maintain drives and give our defense a chance.

We need a better line. I dunno if it's scheme, talent, coaching ( Maser or Henning's schemes ), utilization, experience, or what - but it's bad.

And in all honesty, it wasn't great last year. It really hasn't been totally solid since 2003 - and even then it wasn't all pro. Last year it was good later in the year, and that was nice. But it wasn't that great the first half.

But basically every effort for this staff to retool the Oline has failed or underachieved. They dismantled the Sefiert line - Mitchell, Steussie, Donnalley, Nesbit, James - which wasn't superb - and have succeeded only in having mediocrity coupled by 2 years of dreadful performance.

HEre's some of what they've done that I recall:

2nd round - Drafted Bruce Nelson. Bustola.
1st round - Drafted Gross - can't complain about this move when he plays RT, but he was drafted to be LT, better than Steussie.
3rd round - Drafted Wharton - solid move, better than Steussie.
Cut Steussie for Adam Meadows - Bustola.
Let Jeno James go. (he was costly.)
Brezinski. w00t.
Let Jamar Nesbit go.
Signed Mike Wahle to a huge contract.
Let Tutan Reyes go.
3rd round - Drafted Evan Mathis.
Signed Hartwig.
3rd round - Drafted Rashad Butler.

They've made alot of moves and have very little to show for it.

Dunno what needs to be done, but imho it should be priority number 1.

 

[UNCdubya]

HEre's some of what they've done that I recall:

2nd round - Drafted Bruce Nelson. Bustola.
1st round - Drafted Gross - can't complain about this move when he plays RT, but he was drafted to be LT, better than Steussie.
3rd round - Drafted Wharton - solid move, better than Steussie.
Cut Steussie for Adam Meadows - Bustola.
Let Jeno James go. (he was costly.)
Brezinski. w00t.
Let Jamar Nesbit go.
Signed Mike Wahle to a huge contract.
Let Tutan Reyes go.
3rd round - Drafted Evan Mathis.
Signed Hartwig.
3rd round - Drafted Rashad Butler.

They've made alot of moves and have very little to show for it.

Dunno what needs to be done, but imho it should be priority number 1.

This is what I was talking about in another thread, and its not only in the Oline where we are making bad moves. In my opinion, all of the bad moves have caught up with us and we just arent that talented. We've got two potential superstars in Smith and Peppers, but everyone else is mediocre, which means teams we play shut the two of them down and we are done.

 

[The_professor]

priority number 1.

and the safetys.

 

[mathmajors]

Draft Tank!!!!


Seriously, I agree with Prof. S and OL. Take whichever player is availble on the player board.

 

[Black&Blue]

I think the #1 problem with the team is the OL run blocking.

I agree for the most part.

2nd round - Drafted Bruce Nelson. Bustola.

Obviously.

1st round - Drafted Gross

Hasn't lived up to where he was drafted, but has looked better at times this year. Still too soft - needs to get serious about weightlifting.

3rd round - Drafted Wharton

Turned out okay. We would be better off with him right now, at T or G.

Cut Steussie for Adam Meadows

Todd pretty much cut himself. And I don't think we expected Meadows to fucking quit on us right before the season.

Let Jeno James go.
Let Tutan Reyes go.

I really don't disagree with either move. Between the two, I would have liked to keep Jeno, but Reyes isn't that good.



Paid out the ass for Wahle, but he's been solid for us. No one guy can do it by himself. The Hartwig move was still a good one, imo. If he's healthy, he'll be a significant upgrade at C. Mathis and Butler weren't terrible picks. I think Butler can still be good depth for us, but sure, Mathis has been disappointing.

 

[meatpile]

This is what I was talking about in another thread, and its not only in the Oline where we are making bad moves. In my opinion, all of the bad moves have caught up with us and we just arent that talented. We've got two potential superstars in Smith and Peppers, but everyone else is mediocre, which means teams we play shut the two of them down and we are done.

It's easy - right now - to see flaws in damn near every player. Since fixing that situation is completely impossible, I think that changes to the oline - including coaching, and including Henning if necessary - are the most visible problem that could have the greatest positive impact.

Linebacker and safety stand out as well - as something that can be addressed.

 

[Black&Blue]

• Offensive line
• Linebacker
• a close 3rd - safety
• Interior defensive line. Thought we addressed this in the spring, but I guess not.

Those are the four big ones, imo.

 

[UNCdubya]

• Interior defensive line.

• 
  
  Im not ready to give up on the interior of the Dline at this point. I think the D has been on the field way to long each game. I also think Jenkins will continue to get better inside. If anything, we're going to need someone on the Dline to take Ruckers spot.

 

[Black&Blue]

Backs are getting to the second level too often, even early in games. It's true that we have been on the field too long, and that most of the long runs that we've given up are a result of fatigue, but I just haven't been very happy with Jenkins and Kemo. Jenkins is still hurting us with penalties and being too aggressive, while Kemo hasn't been the massive run stopper that we paid for. I won't be upset if we decide to cut him after the season, and take our chances with D Lewis or someone else. I don't think Moorehead or Carstens are the answer, at least not as starters.

If he's healthy, I think Rucker is good enough for next year. If anyone needs to go, it's probably Wallace. He's been terrible against the run. I think we still might have a player in McClover, and I'll be interested to see if they dress him this Sunday.

We just need to be stronger, on both fronts. We don't have that right now.

 

[Wiggin]

Backs are getting to the second level too often, even early in games. It's true that we have been on the field too long, and that most of the long runs that we've given up are a result of fatigue, but I just haven't been very happy with Jenkins and Kemo. Jenkins is still hurting us with penalties and being too aggressive, while Kemo hasn't been the massive run stopper that we paid for. I won't be upset if we decide to cut him after the season, and take our chances with D Lewis or someone else. I don't think Moorehead or Carstens are the answer, at least not as starters.

First of all, Kemo was never expected to be the big run stopper most seem to think. He was brought in to take up space and blockers, and allow the LB's to make the plays. And basically, he's done that. Jenkins has been up and down this year, but I think any reasonable fan expected this since he had been out the previous two years and a little rust is understandable.

The real problem with the run defense is our Linebacker play. With Kemo and Jenkins taking up space and blockers, their job was to fill the gaps and make the tackles. Unfortunately, they have been piss poor at this. They constantly overpursue, misread, and all too often find themselves out of position. Thus, the gaps they are supposed to be filling end up being open lanes for the RB.

No, Jenkins and Kemo have not been world beaters, but they have not been bad either. If Morgan had stayed healthy, I don't think we would be having this discussion...or at least not to the degree we are. Give Davis two solid partners back there and Kemo will be just fine alongside Jenkins.