O-Line Starting 5 Predictions

#76
#76
KBVol said:
Jashon was pretty much the offensive version of Derek Barnett of the 2014 class. Both were freshman all-Americans. So, to your point, why in the world would anybody expect him to not have that RG position locked down?
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Not saying it will happen but the scenario would be to get the best 5 on the field. The OL wasn't the same without Crowder last fall. I know many would like to debate him but let's assume he's the C for this "scenario". Who are the best two OG's out of Kerbyson, Jackson, and Robertson? More than likely the two Srs.

So if it works out that Blair and someone else somehow beat Kerbyson out at OT... then Kerbyson slides inside and Robertson probably takes a RS.
 
#77
#77
sjt18 said:
Not saying it will happen but the scenario would be to get the best 5 on the field. The OL wasn't the same without Crowder last fall. I know many would like to debate him but let's assume he's the C for this "scenario". Who are the best two OG's out of Kerbyson, Jackson, and Robertson? More than likely the two Srs.

So if it works out that Blair and someone else somehow beat Kerbyson out at OT... then Kerbyson slides inside and Robertson probably takes a RS.
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With all due respect 18, I seriously doubt that happens. But, been wrong before.
 
#78
#78
sjt18 said:
Not saying it will happen but the scenario would be to get the best 5 on the field. The OL wasn't the same without Crowder last fall. I know many would like to debate him but let's assume he's the C for this "scenario". Who are the best two OG's out of Kerbyson, Jackson, and Robertson? More than likely the two Srs.

So if it works out that Blair and someone else somehow beat Kerbyson out at OT... then Kerbyson slides inside and Robertson probably takes a RS.
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The two reasons why I don't see this happening: 1) the two seniors are likely going to be more capable of filling in as depth at other positions. The gap between Robertson and Kerybyson (assuming there is one) at guard is significantly smaller than the gap between Kerbyson and Robertson and tackle. If we still are not in a position where we have settled starters across the line, then having a host of warm bodies who can rotate in and play competently is all the more important.

2) We want to win in 2015, but Butch likely knows that we are building something long-term, and that we should improve every year. 2016 might be a playoff year, and having an extra offensive lineman coming off of a full year starting, and adding extra cohesion with the group, is a serious boon. If Robertson is close to the other two, then this is a significant enough reason to give him an edge.

Butch has shown that he will sacrifice a tiny bit one year for a big gain the following year. And, to repeat what was said above, it isn't completely obvious that they will be better than Robertson, who is coming off of 13 starts last year, and entering his first full year in a college weight room.

Edit: Reason 3) Kerbyson has been playing, and practicing, largely at tackle. That both shows that Butch plans to use him there, and shows that he is becoming more experienced there. These two sub-points combine to make it less likely that he will play, let alone start, at guard. Barring emergency, at least.
 
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#79
#79
turambar85 said:
The two reasons why I don't see this happening: 1) the two seniors are likely going to be more capable of filling in as depth at other positions. The gap between Robertson and Kerybyson (assuming there is one) at guard is significantly smaller than the gap between Kerbyson and Robertson and tackle. If we still are not in a position where we have settled starters across the line, then having a host of warm bodies who can rotate in and play competently is all the more important.
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I don't disagree. I was just playing out a scenario where Robertson might not be a starter. For it to happen, two tackles would have to emerge as good enough to push Kerbyson to OG. It has been reported that the coaches consider Kerbyson their best interior OL but can't afford to move him inside yet.

2) We want to win in 2015, but Butch likely knows that we are building something long-term, and that we should improve every year. 2016 might be a playoff year, and having an extra offensive lineman coming off of a full year starting, and adding extra cohesion with the group, is a serious boon. If Robertson is close to the other two, then this is a significant enough reason to give him an edge.
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Jones doesn't seem to think that a RS or a non-starting year is a wasted year. He's actually said that the "norm" for an OL would be for most new starters to be 3rd or even 4th year players.

Butch has shown that he will sacrifice a tiny bit one year for a big gain the following year.
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He has to this point but there has to start being some "pay out" years at some point. That point... is probably this year. Many keep saying that '16 is the year to expect the big step forward. However the Vols return about 40 players from their two deep this year. Next year, they'll lose 7 from the two deep just on offense. This fall is a big "put up or shut up" type of season.

Edit: Reason 3) Kerbyson has been playing, and practicing, largely at tackle. That both shows that Butch plans to use him there, and shows that he is becoming more experienced there. These two sub-points combine to make it less likely that he will play, let alone start, at guard. Barring emergency, at least.
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That's why I said I doubt that it happens. The only way it would happen is if two tackles emerged that just couldn't be kept on the bench. That seems pretty unlikely at this point. If they can settle Kerbyson on one side then have someone play well on the other then the OL should take a nice step forward.
 
#81
#81
Will the Oline be the Vol's achilles heel this year? Your guess is as good as mine, with the exception of Blair, the line may be the same player's as last year.......last year was indeed tough to watch at times
Cheers to the same, old, new Oline
Go Vol's
 
#82
#82
photovol said:
Will the Oline be the Vol's achilles heel this year? Your guess is as good as mine, with the exception of Blair, the line may be the same player's as last year.......last year was indeed tough to watch at times
Cheers to the same, old, new Oline
Go Vol's
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Right, I sure they won't be more experienced or stronger than they were last year. :ermm:
 
#83
#83
LT-Blair
LG-Jackson
C-Crowder/Thomas
RG-Robertson
RT-Kendrick/Kerbyson

Edit: Hell if I know, lol. I changed this 3 times before posting and twice afterwards. Glad the coaches are in charge of this and not me.
 
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#84
#84
photovol said:
Will the Oline be the Vol's achilles heel this year? Your guess is as good as mine, with the exception of Blair, the line may be the same player's as last year.......last year was indeed tough to watch at times
Cheers to the same, old, new Oline
Go Vol's
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will the Vol's Oline be good enough to win the SEC east?
 
#85
#85
photovol said:
will the Vol's Oline be good enough to win the SEC east?
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Yes. Even mild improvement at OL coupled with a large improvement on defense, an improved WR group (largely through health and experience), an improvement at RB, and an improved QB should be sufficient to push for winning the Easy.

It won't be good enough to guarantee it, but it would be good enough to give us a decent chance. If you we can luck upon an above average O-line, then the east is ours for the taking.
 
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#87
#87
It's Gr8 2 B a V said:
LT- Marcus Jackson (moved from LG) 6-2- 306
LG- Charles Mosely 6'5- 370
C-Mack Crowder 6'2 - 295
RG-Jashon Robertson 6'3- 304
RT- Dontavius Blair 6'8 - 300

I think this group gives up less than 15 sacks

Thoughts?
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Mosley would be nice, due to his size, but he would only play at a guard position and as much as the staff has raved about Robertson, I don't see Mosley unseating him or Jackson, for a starting position.

Butch already said he will start out at DT, and I expect he and Khalil McKenzie to be our 2 starting DT's when the season rolls around. Tuttle will be in the 2 deep. So, on OL, I suspect it will look like...

LT - Blair
LG - Jackson

C - C. Thomas (Crowder might keep his job, but he's way too undersized and Thomas will likely beat him out)

RG - Robertson
RT - Kerbyson to start the season, but will be replaced by Jack Jones or Richmond by midseason if he doesn't measure up
 
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#88
#88
I don't get the Crowder hate ITT. He never looked dominant last year, but when he was out in the later part of the season it was painfully obvious that he was much better than his replacement - I think Weisman filled in for him. He's also the leader of this group, along with Kerbs. I don't see him being replaced.
 
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#89
#89
LandonVFL said:
For me, I like seeing the 3 seniors in the middle (Jackson, crowder, Kerbyson). I could see the coaches trying to redshirt guys like Thomas and Robertson how weren't completely ready for SEC play last year. Don't get me wrong, Robertson had a tremendous year last year as a true freshman, but there were definitely times he was exposed by stronger DLs.
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Robertson has experience and another year in the Strength program. I think he makes big strides in his blocking this season.
 
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#90
#90
C: Crowder, Thomas
G: Robertson, Jackson, Rauerlson, Sanders
T: Kerbyson, Wiseman, Kendrick, Blair

Blair will be the wild card on whether he actually contributes or not at tackle. Could play his way to the top of the depth chart or be a bust. No way to know until he actually sees the field.

I don't agree with Kerbyson at T but that's where he is said to be focusing per Rucker.

Crowder, Robertson, and Jackson worked well down the stretch last season on the interior except for injury to Crowder. I don't know why they would mess with that much.

Who comes out on top at LT and RT are the huge question marks for the entire team IMO. They will be vital to this offense getting better and keeping Dobbs upright.

I don't see any of the freshmen getting looks unless there are injuries or they make huge impressions. They will want to tear Richmond down some and build him back up but he could force the issue as the season goes along IMO.
 
#91
#91
Chi-town-Vol said:
I don't get the Crowder hate ITT. He never looked dominant last year, but when he was out in the later part of the season it was painfully obvious that he was much better than his replacement - I think Weisman filled in for him. He's also the leader of this group, along with Kerbs. I don't see him being replaced.
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He is a Dooley guy.

That still matters to some on here.
 
#92
#92
It's Gr8 2 B a V said:
LT- Marcus Jackson (moved from LG) 6-2- 306
LG- Charles Mosely 6'5- 370
C-Mack Crowder 6'2 - 295
RG-Jashon Robertson 6'3- 304
RT- Dontavius Blair 6'8 - 300

I think this group gives up less than 15 sacks

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Mosley is still reported to be limited during the Spring and they are very short on bodies on defense for Spring Practice as well.

I don't think they make that switch yet.
 
#93
#93
VOLorNuttin said:
Mosley would be nice, due to his size, but he would only play at a guard position and as much as the staff has raved about Robertson, I don't see Mosley unseating him or Jackson, for a starting position.

Butch already said he will start out at DT, and I expect he and Khalil McKenzie to be our 2 starting DT's when the season rolls around. Tuttle will be in the 2 deep. So, on OL, I suspect it will look like...

LT - Blair
LG - Jackson

C - C. Thomas (Crowder might keep his job, but he's way too undersized and Thomas will likely beat him out)

RG - Robertson
RT - Kerbyson to start the season, but will be replaced by Jack Jones or Richmond by midseason if he doesn't measure up
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Mosley could be a factor on either side of the ball. On the DL he would be in the rotation for sure. On the OL he would probably be a #2 G with potential to be an opening day starter. We should know which side of the line in a few weeks. I'm real interested to see how this plays out.
 
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#94
#94
Mick said:
Mosley could be a factor on either side of the ball. On the DL he would be in the rotation for sure. On the OL he would probably be a #2 G with potential to be an opening day starter. We should know which side of the line in a few weeks. I'm real interested to see how this plays out.
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The guy has not played in 2 years and some are calling him to replace last years starter, one of which was a FR AA.. Not going to happen
 
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#95
#95
Kerberson and Coleman had a rough yr. They both were constantly beat and played on roller skates. Chattanooga wooped them
 
#96
#96
Biopsyman said:
The guy has played in 2 years and some are calling him to replace last years starter, one of which was a FR AA.. Not going to happen
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Especially since the head coach has said he is going to look at him at DL first:

“Because of our overall depth in the defensive front, we’re gonna look at him on the defensive line first. If that doesn’t materialize, then we’ll look to play him on the offensive line. But Charles is a very, very talented young man, and we’re gonna first look to put him in a position to compete at defensive line and go from there.

“If that doesn’t work out, he’ll be able to move to the offensive line immediately and compete.”


Frankly don't think the staff really knows what they have in Mosley yet. So it makes perfect sense to go ahead and pencil him as an ALL SEC offensive lineman here :crazy:
 
#97
#97
Mick said:
Mosley could be a factor on either side of the ball. On the DL he would be in the rotation for sure. On the OL he would probably be a #2 G with potential to be an opening day starter. We should know which side of the line in a few weeks. I'm real interested to see how this plays out.
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I can't disagree strongly enough with this.

Mosley came in as an overweight project and then broke his leg. He's been unable to receive the full benefit of a year in the S&G program so he's probably at about the same level as when he arrived. If you've been paying attention, you know we've become deep and strong on the DL.

If Mosley can get healthy and commit himself to reshaping his body, then hopefully he can become a contributor at some point in 2016 and beyond.
 
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#98
#98
JonGrudensAgent said:
C: Crowder, Thomas
G: Robertson, Jackson, Rauerlson, Sanders
T: Kerbyson, Wiseman, Kendrick, Blair

Blair will be the wild card on whether he actually contributes or not at tackle. Could play his way to the top of the depth chart or be a bust. No way to know until he actually sees the field.

I don't agree with Kerbyson at T but that's where he is said to be focusing per Rucker.

Crowder, Robertson, and Jackson worked well down the stretch last season on the interior except for injury to Crowder. I don't know why they would mess with that much.

Who comes out on top at LT and RT are the huge question marks for the entire team IMO. They will be vital to this offense getting better and keeping Dobbs upright.

I don't see any of the freshmen getting looks unless there are injuries or they make huge impressions. They will want to tear Richmond down some and build him back up but he could force the issue as the season goes along IMO.
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Weisman is an interior lineman. I can't see a scneario where he plays tackle.
 
#100
#100
One thing's for sure. I've learned more about OLine play this off-season than ever before. Clear sign of how critical these guys are to the entire team's success in '15.

O-Line: the guys few pay attention to ... unless things aren't going well. Guilty as charged.
 
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