Another issue is the O-Line

#1
Liper

Liper

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#1
I sit in YY and it was obvious that (a) UCLA was loaded up for the run coming downhill and (b) the interior of our offensive line got whipped pretty good.

Our C, LG, and RG seemed to struggle a lot, and not just in run blocking. That's a bad combination when your QB is seeing visions out there.

However, the reality right now is this: we're starting a 2nd team, walk on center who couldn't snap the ball through Thursday, and guard who had a achilles so bad that it was nearly a game time decision if he'd play, a brand new RT, all against a stud DT and MLB.

I think the problem is the guts of our offense is under manned, not to mention that my hunch is that Kiffin may have been a touch surprised at how poor the QB's decision making was. From past comments I don't think CLK has his head in the sand about our lack of talent on offense, but perhaps a little perplexed about how bad they unraveled against a quality defense.
 
#2
#2
They better get some OL in for next year or its going to get ugly again. Without a decent line a superstar qb looks below average.
 
#5
#5
I think the LT and LG are pretty good, just cant run behind the right side of the line or the center and UCLA knew it. Once the center is back it will help. Most of the game UT was running to the left side of the line, even when the ball was on the left hash, the short side.
 
#6
#6
oklavol said:
I think the LT and LG are pretty good, just cant run along the right side of the line or behind the center and UCLA obviously knew it.

Once the center is back it will help a lot.
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I'm not at all sure McNeil is coming back; and even if he does, it might not be much better. He couldn't really separate himself from Sullins during camp so there's not that much difference I'm afraid.

The program issue is that we're almost out of OL that can even dress up for a D-I game, and several are graduating this year. It's almost inconceivable to me that we under recruited this badly for so many years. We literally have to sign an entirely new 2-deep in 2010-2011.
 
#7
#7
They are Seniors and have had Spring and Fall camp to jell. I thought they would block better and did open some decent holes but when push came to shove they were knocked back at the goal line by reserve DT's.
 
#8
#8
Liper said:
I'm not at all sure McNeil is coming back; and even if he does, it might not be much better. He couldn't really separate himself from Sullins during camp so there's not that much difference I'm afraid.

The program issue is that we're almost out of OL that can even dress up for a D-I game, and several are graduating this year. It's almost inconceivable to me that we under recruited this badly for so many years. We literally have to sign an entirely new 2-deep in 2010-2011.
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That's another issue with the Oline, starting 3 seniors and not being more dominant then that.
 
#9
#9
We have a few coming in but unless their JUCO's, they will be no were near ready to start as true Freshmen in the SEC.
 
#10
#10
IMO, the OL is even more to blame for our struggles today than Crompton. I don't think we could have won with Manning at QB with UCLA being in the backfield all day.
 
#12
#12
oklavol said:
I think the LT and LG are pretty good, just cant run behind the right side of the line or the center and UCLA knew it. Once the center is back it will help. Most of the game UT was running to the left side of the line, even when the ball was on the left hash, the short side.
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I think the left side of the line was just as bad if not worse as the right. I lost count of how many times I saw Chris Scott get completely blown up and knocked out of the way. Pitiful line play today.
 
#13
#13
QB play had a lot to do with making it as hard as possible on our OL. It wasn't really a fair fight playing with one arm tied behind our back.
 
#14
#14
CLK had to keep the plays simple to help Crompton with his mindset. Throws to the flats instead of stretching the field. Crompton threw 2 balls down field today that I remember. The first he missed a wide open GJ for a probable TD which was an INT, and the one to Hancock.
 
#15
#15
We can't run the ball 9 out of 10 times and get away with it against a good team. We have to be able to stretch the field.
 
#16
#16
UTTuck24 said:
I think the left side of the line was just as bad if not worse as the right. I lost count of how many times I saw Chris Scott get completely blown up and knocked out of the way. Pitiful line play today.
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Most teams puts their best offensive linemen on the left side to protect the QB's blind side. They usually have to play against the opposing teams best defensive lineman. I'm pretty sure UT's best lineman are on the left side.

A lot of teams can run either side, but I dont remember seeing UT having any success this game. They would still run left on the short side of the field. Most teams usually run to the wide side of the field.
 
#17
#17
Look, let's ne honest: I'm not one to jump all over a 21 year old guy busting his butt and it just not working out, but no one has much chance to win a big game with QB play that poor. Hopefully he or NS can hang in there enough to be serviceable.
 
#18
#18
The OL looked flat out awful on pass blocking. I though they looked decent on the run blocking considering UCLA was putting 9 or 10 people in the box and bringing the house every play...
 
#19
#19
Lord Vader said:
The OL looked flat out awful on pass blocking. I though they looked decent on the run blocking considering UCLA was putting 9 or 10 people in the box and bringing the house every play...
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It was easy to bring the house cause they knew Crompton was shook.
 
#20
#20
Lord Vader said:
The OL looked flat out awful on pass blocking. I though they looked decent on the run blocking considering UCLA was putting 9 or 10 people in the box and bringing the house every play...
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Yeah, I noticed the center had trouble picking up the blitz and so did BB in the backfield. He missed some blocking assignments.
 
#21
#21
I think it might be worth it to move Mcclendon to center and just try and play Brimfield at RG, hell at least hes big. I like Chris Scott and Richard on the left side a lot, and think they could be real good this year if we could do anything else on offense. UCLA knew we were running left, and we still managed to have some pretty decent success, so I like what I see there. But either Sullins against a T Cody and a front like Alabama's could get ugly with our lack of a passing attack.

I really don't think the problem is on the o-line. There may be a few busts on pass protection sometimes but UCLA was able to crowd the box because Crompton can't make a play. If we had even a little below average passing attack tonight we could have rushed for 200 yards and won the game.
 
#22
#22
HonoluluVol said:
It was easy to bring the house cause they knew Crompton was shook.
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Downfield coverage was terrific. It's an incredible luxury to be able to cover an offense one-on-one and let everyone else tee off to their heart's content.
 
#23
#23
Liper said:
Look, let's ne honest: I'm not one to jump all over a 21 year old guy busting his butt and it just not working out, but no one has much chance to win a big game with QB play that poor. Hopefully he or NS can hang in there enough to be serviceable.
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this is what i thought last year. i made the statement before last season that as long as crompton doesn't suck out loud the offense would be "good enough".

well, he sucks out loud. not trying to bash the kid, but he's just not that good. he's a primary reason we've lost games the past two years. agree about the o line, but the guy simply can't make plays that even get him close to serviceable, much less game changing, at least for the positive.
 
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