Offensive Line for 2015????

#51
#51
When people were worried about the O Line last year I couldn't have imagined how bad it would have been. I would see defensive guys blow by our O Line guys without them even touching the defensive guys. It was bad.

I worry about our Middle linebacker and wonder if Jaylin Reeves could move to the middle ?
 
#52
#52
joevol33 said:
I'm not sure what happened, but our oline looked much better vs Iowa.
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It was more of the play calling and attacking the edge than the line needing to hold blocks. However, they did perform better overall. The good sign for the future was that they all improved as the season wore on.
 
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#53
#53
I'm not sweatin' it. Just glad we have such a mobile QB. Should help take some pressure off the line. I think this years line could have been worse than it was. I think it's going to get better. Bring on August.
 
#55
#55
orangebloodgmc said:
Redshirts, big Dontavious Blair at tackle and Raulerson who has potential and frame to add good weight. Big Mosley a probable new presence in the OL. Got a couple EE's that might could help. And to think that we had a couple true freshmen and 2 or 3 more 2nd yr men who can all add more strength and technique in the off-season. At least 3 upperclassmen starters returning. And we are not yet done recruiting! Lots of reasons to be patiently optimistic that there will be a strengthened whole emerge from the stronger pieces-parts.
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'Just couldn't agree more. Why did the Vols look so much better after healing up and getting in some practice while not having to attend classes and study? They looked like an entirely different unit versus Iowa. These youngsters are picking up zone blocking schemes, which is more of a team concept than man blocking. S&C is going to make them better blockers, but group timing and group reads make zone blocking extremely effective. Mosley and Raulson are going to contribute right off the bat and...right on about Blair. It wouldn't surprise me to see him make an impact after getting his role straightened out. Crowder's steady and possesses a knack for directing this group from C, and he's not going to drop to 2nd string. Look for at least 2 but maybe even 3 RS's. I, for one, am optimistic about these guys...such a chip on their shoulders they're going to toss away.
 
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#56
#56
Boston_Vol said:
You think kerbyson takes Jackson's spot at LG? Wow ok. Would be interesting to see.
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Kerbyson would be a much better guard than Jackson. When Jackson was hurt Kerbyson played very well. He is not a tackle, but he very well could be our best guard.

Robertson though will improve this spring and has more upside.
 
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#59
#59
orangebloodgmc said:
Here's a couple things:

-- He was red-shirted, just like they were trying to RS Dobbs.

-- Just prior to our first '14 game, our coaches were saying Gilliam and Blair were neck & neck in competition to start at OL.
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Our offensive line was not good enough this year to redshirt someone who was good enough to play. That argument makes no sense.
 
#61
#61
So was it Blair that came In a little out of shape?

They RS him but he was in the heat of things for the start correct?

Jack Jones is our only 4 star so far coming in, is the the type guy that can start off the bat? Can some of you guys who have watched him in high school or have some close contacts comment on your opinion from seeing him and/or what coaches have said about him?

SEC is like the pros, if you don't have a QB and an O line and Dline you're not going very far... Looks like Dobbs is our answer and our D line is shaping up very nice so O line is a focus point for me this offseason to see what shakes out
 
#62
#62
VolBuck said:
Our offensive line was not good enough this year to redshirt someone who was good enough to play. That argument makes no sense.
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Makes perfect sense if he balls out after a year of conditioning and physical development.
 
#63
#63
LT- Unknown (Hopefully Blair, Possibly J Jones)
LG- Jackson
C- Crowder
RG- Robertson/Kerbyson
RT- Kerbyson/Kendrick/Jones


Thomas or others could factor but need GREAT years in the off-season program. Jones values continuity and experience. Unless they somehow think Jackson, Crowder, or Kerbyson was THE weak link... they'll play. Robertson appears to be fairly safe. One or the other tackle position is up for grabs. ALL of the back up roles are a scramble and could be critical.
 
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#64
#64
VolBuck said:
Our offensive line was not good enough this year to redshirt someone who was good enough to play. That argument makes no sense.
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The D and particularly pass rush wasn't good enough in '13 to RS Maggitt. Worley wasn't mobile enough and Peterman wasn't good enough in the back up role to RS Dobbs but they tried. M Jackson was probably better than Bullard but was RS'd.

I have often been critical but Jones very much HAS shown a willingness to make short-term sacrifices by RSing guys who could help but can be much better with a year in concentrated development.

There may be coaches or instances where you can read something negative into a RS... but it isn't wise to just make a negative assumption with Jones. Sometimes he seems willing to trade a "good" player now for a much better player after a RS.

He decided to invest in Blair and hopefully it pays off.

And think about it for a minute... could Blair have been worse? Just based on raw athleticism he probably could have done at least as well. Kerbyson deserves a medal for trying... he just isn't a LT athlete.
 
#65
#65
Regardless of who starts here are a few things to remember. When butch got here his first year everyone was worried that we didn't have a kicker.and palardy was arguably our MVP. Coming into this year everyone was worried about our qb play. Worley played great when he had time and we have all seen Dobbs play. So going into next year our big concern is o-line I have no reason not to believe that butch and co will get this figured out as well . so everyone just keep calm and sing rocky top
 
#66
#66
Don't sleep on Mosely and Blair being your tackles next year. With the D-line coming in, Charles Mosely will definitely stay on the offensive line. Big Charles was on everyone wish list last year for D Line because of his size and athletic ability, two factors that make an excellent OT. We need two great tackles to make this offense go.
 
#68
#68
sjt18 said:
The D and particularly pass rush wasn't good enough in '13 to RS Maggitt. Worley wasn't mobile enough and Peterman wasn't good enough in the back up role to RS Dobbs but they tried. M Jackson was probably better than Bullard but was RS'd.

I have often been critical but Jones very much HAS shown a willingness to make short-term sacrifices by RSing guys who could help but can be much better with a year in concentrated development.

There may be coaches or instances where you can read something negative into a RS... but it isn't wise to just make a negative assumption with Jones. Sometimes he seems willing to trade a "good" player now for a much better player after a RS.

He decided to invest in Blair and hopefully it pays off.

And think about it for a minute... could Blair have been worse? Just based on raw athleticism he probably could have done at least as well. Kerbyson deserves a medal for trying... he just isn't a LT athlete.
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In 2013 Maggitt was still recovering from his torn ACL. They didn't want to risk him until he was fully healthy. Everyone has said that before the season Dobbs was the 3rd best QB we had at camp behind Worley and Peterman. Bullard had more experience than Jackson so he started over him and chose to redshirt Jackson.

Blair came in last year overweight and out of shape. I find it hard to believe he couldn't get in decent enough shape in with our strength and conditioning program. The only other reason I can see is because he isn't very good.

Who knows though you could be right and I could be dead wrong. This is JMO
 
#69
#69
sjt18 said:
He isn't but unless Crowder has some injury we don't know about it is extremely unlikely anyone over takes him and particularly Thomas based on the way he played.
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I don't disagree necessarily but playing Tackle is a hell of a lot different than playing Center.
 
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#70
#70
LT - Blair / Kendrick
LG - Jackson / Weisman
C - Crowder / Thomas
RG - Robertson / Moseley
RT - Kerbyson / Jones

Nice solid two deep. The rest redshirt if possible.

If Kendrick or Jones can handle RT they may slide Kerbyson into the RG and have Robertson as his back-up.

Thomas and Crowder will battle and I think Crowder edges him out but Thomas will be a great back-up option.

I think our O-Line takes huge steps in the running game and is much better in pass pro but will still have trouble with the most elite edge rushers we face due to the T situation.
 
#71
#71
Crowder should be back at center. Jones has ability to beat out Kerbyson at tackle. Kendrick could improve and take a tackle spot. Blair should be ready to contribute.
 
#72
#72
I think we are all going to be happy with what we get out of Blair next season. By the time he was ready, the season was mostly over so the RS was a good call IMO. We could use a LT like him for the next 2 years, especially now that its looking like we may not get one in this years class. That gives us more time to recruit and then develop his replacement. Jmo.
 
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#73
#73
sjt18 said:
He isn't but unless Crowder has some injury we don't know about it is extremely unlikely anyone over takes him and particularly Thomas based on the way he played.
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I don't think it's wise to take the stance that Coleman can't challenge for the starting center position, the position he played in highschool and was recruited for, because he played poorly at a position, OT, that he had not played before and was thrust into out of desperation. Jmo.
 
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