How much a difference do you think....

[jakez4ut]

racist

:no:

 

[allvol123]

Maybe if they were coming back to replace someone who was playing well. There is no comparison between the player Hall was when we saw him last fall and what Thomas was the last 2 weeks.

The problem is the entire line has looked bad. I am hesitant to think 1 person fixes that. You can make the case they have looked bad because people are worried about covering for Thomas or Kendrick, but still hesitant to believe 1 person fixes things. We have a 3 game sample size of putrid of line play. Add to that, a top 10 defense across the line this week.

 

[sjt18]

agree about Jashon, agree about Jones and Hall haveing the nasty streak. stj, honestly i have no idea on Kendrick, i'll defer to you, as you seem to have been paying attention.

I'll admit maybe just a small tad of bias. He reminds me of how I was as a player many moons ago. I wasn't a very good practice player because I'm not very emotional or "angry" by nature. I had size and some ability but had a tough time convincing myself to be aggressive against "my" team. But in games, I played MUCH more aggressively and did my job consistently... if not very flashy.

He's a guy who needs his coach's trust and confidence to reach his peak. He has flaws but if they keep playing him then I think he'll parallel Kerbyson.

i know this..i just don't trust Thomas, and it may because he's not healthy or whatever, i just see him as a liability, no matter he lines up.

I'm not buying the injury excuse either. We've seen this from him against better competition since he played as a Fr. But for whatever reason, CBJ has loved him from the start. He probably reminds him of someone he had at CMU or Cincy... but he isn't accounting for competition.

i'm a little disappointed that Richmond isn't further along after a RS and full off season, with really no injuries. i know OT is a developmental position...but i think the expectation was he could contribute this year.

I don't disagree but I think he still has potential. Hopefully they spoon feed him some reps this year and let him get his mind right.

my gut says getting Hall back, with Jones in the line up is what the dr. ordered. i don't know how much of a difference it makes, at the moment, but they played their butts off against a pretty good GA d line last year, and as some have said, they more than held their own against a very good Bama front last year.

i don't know that it tips the scales for me to say this is the difference we needed to win the game. but it's a good step in the right direction.

I said that the OL was close after the last game and before having hope that Hall would play. With or without him, the OL was just a little ways from being dialed in vs Ohio.

That said, Hall is a HUGE difference IMO and especially if he's close to 100%. I think it is the equivalent of trading an FCS OT for a draft pick OT.

 

[Dudley Smith]

Potentially a lot. You have to account for competition as well but Hall and Jones have something that is too often missing from any of the others we've seen.... They have a nasty streak.

My read on how much it might tip the scales is actually who starts with them. I have nothing against Thomas or Richmond. Thomas played well against the back half of the schedule last year. Richmond has the talent to be very good. BUT.... neither should start in front of Kendrick IMO. Kendrick is far from perfect and has his own set of issues.... but nothing like the other two.

I think Richmond needs development. CT played well against lesser competition but his lack of strength and bulk show up against better teams.

Can't remember the name but UT had another center a few years back who just couldn't keep the weight on. Thomas isn't quite that bad but he seems to struggle when he has to take on powerful DT's.

IMHO, UT can run behind Kendrick, Robertson, Wiesman, Jones, and Hall. In fact, that's a pretty solid OL. I have always liked Kendrick but he's a concern in pass protection vs UF. I think they'll have to at least show some inside RB help on his side and have him work hard against the outside rush. Everyone else.... has to man up AND big time.

The comforting thing about Hall and Jones is that they played extremely well together against Bama last year. As good as UF's front is.... Bama is no worse than comparable. Saban is a better defensive mind than UF's DC.... or most anyone else.

Agree with all of this, those are our best 5. This combo at OL plus Dobbs running 10-15 times can result in a quantum leap of offensive productivity. If Hall is anywhere near 100% and they put Coleman Thomas out there at RT, they're crazy.

 

[sjt18]

The problem is the entire line has looked bad. I am hesitant to think 1 person fixes that. You can make the case they have looked bad because people are worried about covering for Thomas or Kendrick, but still hesitant to believe 1 person fixes things. We have a 3 game sample size of putrid of line play. Add to that, a top 10 defense across the line this week.

I'm not busting your chops but disagree. I've watched all of the games more than once and have concentrated on the OL at least once per.

Wiesman has played well at C. He didn't play well at RG with CT at C. Both Richmond and CT played better when the other one wasn't on the field. The other three besides them played much better with Jack Jones on the field.

This is all about chemistry and personnel. Get that right and you'll see some big strides. Hall not only upgrades RT.... he gives them an opportunity to sit someone who has been a major source of breakdowns.

Kendrick has played better both at RT and LT than CT or DR. His best position though IMO is LT. He's quicker than he is physical. He's smarter than he's aggressive.



PS- NEVER underestimate the value of a guy that plays with a nasty streak like Hall and Jones do.

 

[Dudleys87]

If hes ready to play that basically sures up one spot on the line.
The guard doesent have to worry about helping
He TRUSTS Hall to hold his own.
Help can go elsewhere.

A limited Hall is better than a stiff Thomas.

 

[sjt18]

If hes ready to play that basically sures up one spot on the line.
The guard doesent have to worry about helping
He TRUSTS Hall to hold his own.
Help can go elsewhere.

A limited Hall is better than a stiff Thomas.

Just two problems here.

One, a tired Hall may not be better than a Thomas late in the game.

Two, CBJ has ALWAYS loved Coleman Thomas. I am NOT confident that Hall won't be inserted to replace Kendrick rather than CT.

 

[allvol123]

I'm not busting your chops but disagree. I've watched all of the games more than once and have concentrated on the OL at least once per.

Wiesman has played well at C. He didn't play well at RG with CT at C. Both Richmond and CT played better when the other one wasn't on the field. The other three besides them played much better with Jack Jones on the field.

This is all about chemistry and personnel. Get that right and you'll see some big strides. Hall not only upgrades RT.... he gives them an opportunity to sit someone who has been a major source of breakdowns.

Kendrick has played better both at RT and LT than CT or DR. His best position though IMO is LT. He's quicker than he is physical. He's smarter than he's aggressive.



PS- NEVER underestimate the value of a guy that plays with a nasty streak like Hall and Jones do.

I don't necessarily disagree with you and hope you are correct. That said watching Kendrick, Thomas, and Richmond has been painful for large parts of games. And I add again, this is a great D. Not ohio.

 

[jakez4ut]

I'll admit maybe just a small tad of bias. He reminds me of how I was as a player many moons ago. I wasn't a very good practice player because I'm not very emotional or "angry" by nature. I had size and some ability but had a tough time convincing myself to be aggressive against "my" team. But in games, I played MUCH more aggressively and did my job consistently... if not very flashy.

He's a guy who needs his coach's trust and confidence to reach his peak. He has flaws but if they keep playing him then I think he'll parallel Kerbyson.

I'm not buying the injury excuse either. We've seen this from him against better competition since he played as a Fr. But for whatever reason, CBJ has loved him from the start. He probably reminds him of someone he had at CMU or Cincy... but he isn't accounting for competition.

I don't disagree but I think he still has potential. Hopefully they spoon feed him some reps this year and let him get his mind right.


I said that the OL was close after the last game and before having hope that Hall would play. With or without him, the OL was just a little ways from being dialed in vs Ohio.

That said, Hall is a HUGE difference IMO and especially if he's close to 100%. I think it is the equivalent of trading an FCS OT for a draft pick OT.

well...i'll take that.