Offensive Line

[bpalmer28]

Fact is Crawford and Mincey have no significant experience because they haven’t been one of the best 6 or 7 OL on the roster in the past, whether here or elsewhere. Expecting them to be good doesn’t seem reasonable. Expecting Dayne Davis to be good seems even less reasonable. We are in trouble at the tackle positions. Need Wright to stay healthy.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Fact is Crawford and Mincey have no significant experience because they haven’t been one of the best 6 or 7 OL on the roster in the past, whether here or elsewhere. Expecting them to be good doesn’t seem reasonable. Expecting Dayne Davis to be good seems even less reasonable. We are in trouble at the tackle positions. Need Wright to stay healthy.

Mincey was a freshman last year. And yet he still played in backup situations at Florida. It’s not reasonable to expect him to develop and be good? So if guys aren’t good as freshmen, they never will be?

Okay.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Mincey was a freshman last year. And yet he still played in backup situations at Florida. It’s not reasonable to expect him to develop and be good? So if guys aren’t good as freshmen, they never will be?

Okay.

I thought I heard somewhere that Mincey was expected to start for UF on the o line this year before he decided to come to UTK. If that is true, then he is a solid pick up.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I thought I heard somewhere that Mincey was expected to start for UF on the o line this year before he decided to come to UTK. If that is true, then he is a solid pick up.

Agreed. And yes he was.

 

[bpalmer28]

Mincey was a freshman last year. And yet he still played in backup situations at Florida. It’s not reasonable to expect him to develop and be good? So if guys aren’t good as freshmen, they never will be?

Okay.

Think you’re misinterpreting, which is understandable. I’m not a good writer. The words don’t reflect my actual tone sometimes.

There’s potential on the OL. But I don’t base my personal expectations on potential, as I don’t think that’s reasonable. Especially on the OL. If we were talking about a skill position that’s a different story. WRs and RBs make early impacts all the time... but OL? Pretty rare that a guy just comes out of nowhere and does the job well. Coleman Thomas had potential. Dontavius Blair had potential. Wanya Morris had all kinds of potential...change of scenery isn’t good for everyone. Proof is in the pudding. We have one OT on the roster who has proven he can hold his own against decent competition.

 

[bpalmer28]

I thought I heard somewhere that Mincey was expected to start for UF on the o line this year before he decided to come to UTK. If that is true, then he is a solid pick up.

He’s a solid pickup no matter what. The fact that he’s competing for a starting spot is evident of that. He’s upgraded the roster. I just don’t think it’s the kind of pickup that automatically eliminates concerns at LT.

 

[VAVol85]

Fact is Crawford and Mincey have no significant experience because they haven’t been one of the best 6 or 7 OL on the roster in the past, whether here or elsewhere. Expecting them to be good doesn’t seem reasonable. Expecting Dayne Davis to be good seems even less reasonable. We are in trouble at the tackle positions. Need Wright to stay healthy.

If you said “Crawford and Mincey are not guaranteed to be successful,” then I would agree with you because you can never be sure how someone will progress at a developmental position like OL. But, saying it’s unreasonable to think they will have success seems to be extrapolating beyond the data. Mincey earned playing time as a freshman and Crawford at least made some appearances.
Edit: I thought Crawford was a junior but he is a senior…so getting a little long in the tooth to make his move. Hope he does.

 

[VAVol85]

We will miss Cade, but overall when you consider experience and depth, I like our situation this year much better than last year.