'14 JUCO OT Dontavius Blair (UT SIGNEE 12/18/13)

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#1,828
#1,828
BennisDrewer said:
I know it's become a mantra for UT fans to say this over and over and over....but this time I mean it! This team is going to be so much fun to watch next year!!
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Absolutely. We just have to protect Dobbs. They'll start targeting him more and more.
 
#1,829
#1,829
VOLorNuttin said:
I don't know about that. Just before he got hurt, I saw him get flat blown up by the DT, and nearly caused a sack. He got abused in the UtahSt and Ark St games, too.

I've never really been sold on Crowder. He's rather smallish for an SEC OL. Looks like the kind of player you'd see on Tennessee Tech's roster, rather than Univ of Tennessee.
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He draws a lot of flack and some is warranted but he's consistent when we haven't had tons of options.
 
#1,830
#1,830
Burger said:
We would want to redshirt all offensive linemen by that year.
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I understand the sentiment that we should be deep enough where we can redshirt all the linemen we bring in. But at the same time, even the best teams like Bama have true freshmen o-linemen play if they're exceptional. Like Cyrus Kouandjio, Cam Robinson, Chance Warmack, etc.

Basically, the goal is to get to the point in recruiting where you don't have to play any true freshmen out of necessity, but to where you are recruiting enough absolute studs that you still end up playing and possibly starting some true freshmen. Including on the offensive line.
 
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#1,831
#1,831
VOLorNuttin said:
I don't know about that. Just before he got hurt, I saw him get flat blown up by the DT, and nearly caused a sack. He got abused in the UtahSt and Ark St games, too.

I've never really been sold on Crowder. He's rather smallish for an SEC OL. Looks like the kind of player you'd see on Tennessee Tech's roster, rather than Univ of Tennessee.
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Mack is about 295 to 298 lbs right now so by smallish you can only mean by an inch or 2 in height.
The main thing that people don't think enough of at the center position is that one bad snap can lose the game. 2 bad snaps double the jeopardy. ..3, 4 and so on.
 
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#1,832
#1,832
SteelerVol said:
Mack is about 295 to 298 lbs right now so by smallish you can only mean by an inch or 2 in height.
The main thing that people don't think enough of at the center position is that one bad snap can lose the game. 2 bad snaps double the jeopardy. ..3, 4 and so on.
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How many sec OL are under 300lbs? Legit question, answer could be a lot, but I always though 300 was kind of the minimum.
 
#1,834
#1,834
jave36 said:
How many sec OL are under 300lbs? Legit question, answer could be a lot, but I always though 300 was kind of the minimum.
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8 recent starting centers in the NFL are under 300lbs.

Notables:
Roberto Garza Bears 6'2" 296
Kelche Eagles 280 lbs
Dominic Raiola Lions 6'2" 295
Casey Wiesman Chiefs 6'2" 285
Jeff Saturday Colts 6'2" 295
Guy from the Texans 289
Falcons 296 etc. etc.
 
#1,836
#1,836
Biopsyman said:
He just seems to get overwhelmed by a powerful DT on the nose.. So did Stone and he is in the Pros
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I see it happening on Sundays.... even by former DT'S from schools like Ark St and Utah St..

Guys get fatigued and lose their technique here and there. It's the kind of thing that only experience can fix.
 
#1,837
#1,837
I know this is the Blair thread, but wanted to make this point on Crowder. The C has to be intelligent to play the position well. Blocking assignments at the line come from the C. The C needs to be mobile in today's offense. They are asked to get outside and upfield to block a lot, as well as to pick up blitzes and on double teams.

Scott Wells is one of the best ever o-linemen at UT. Pro bowler with a SB ring. Current size: 6'2", 300 lbs. after 10 years in the NFL. Same size as Crowder in college and currently. Wells had the advantage of being a mauler in wrestling. Crowder still needs work on leverage against the big NT, but he improved as the season went on.

I expect Blair will be the same way. This RS will help him like it helped Crowder and Kerby. Starting LT next season IMO.
 
#1,838
#1,838
SteelerVol said:
8 recent starting centers in the NFL are under 300lbs.

Notables:
Roberto Garza Bears 6'2" 296
Kelche Eagles 280 lbs
Dominic Raiola Lions 6'2" 295
Casey Wiesman Chiefs 6'2" 285
Jeff Saturday Colts 6'2" 295
Guy from the Texans 289
Falcons 296 etc. etc.
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I think Jeff Saturday starts as an analyst for ESPN.

Edit - reread post. That's what I get for being a smart ass.
 
#1,839
#1,839
SteelerVol said:
8 recent starting centers in the NFL are under 300lbs.

Notables:
Roberto Garza Bears 6'2" 296
Kelche Eagles 280 lbs
Dominic Raiola Lions 6'2" 295
Casey Wiesman Chiefs 6'2" 285
Jeff Saturday Colts 6'2" 295
Guy from the Texans 289
Falcons 296 etc. etc.
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UT website has Crowder at 280. Definitely on the smaller side of OL for sure, but obviously not the sole factor in how good a C is.

I definitely think Weisman has a chance to take the job for good, and Coleman will probably be vying for C next year too.
 
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#1,840
#1,840
jave36 said:
UT website has Crowder at 280. Definitely on the smaller side of OL for sure, but obviously not the sole factor in how good a C is.

I definitely think Weisman has a chance to take the job for good, and Coleman will probably be vying for C next year too.
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You must be looking at a 2010 website.

UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics shows the following:
#57 Mack Crowder OL 6-2 295 lbs RS JR Bristol, Tenn.- Tennessee HS
 
#1,845
#1,845
Other than finding a serviceable RT next year, it's crucial Blair is ready to go at LT.For whatever reason he wasn't ready this year.Gotta get Kerbyson back to a guard position.He just can't play tackle. I agree Thomas and Roberson need a RS.I hope to see a lineup next year of
LT-Blair/Kendrick
LG-Jackson
C-Crowder/Wiesman
RG-Kerbyson
RT-Kendrick/Sanders or Juco T

JMO
 
#1,846
#1,846
Call me crazy but I'm starting to believe the reason why coach jones is red shirting Blair is because he knows year three is when he is really going to be judged and he is loading the cannon so to speak.
 
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#1,847
#1,847
dyllisvol42 said:
Call me crazy but I'm starting to believe the reason why coach jones is red shirting Blair is because he knows year three is when he is really going to be judged and he is loading the cannon so to speak.
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I don't think he's holding anything back if you see how bad our O line is. I think the guy just wasn't ready this year.
 
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#1,849
#1,849
dyllisvol42 said:
Call me crazy but I'm starting to believe the reason why coach jones is red shirting Blair is because he knows year three is when he is really going to be judged and he is loading the cannon so to speak.
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Problem with that theory is that if he breaks out like everyone expected as a RS JR he could just jump to the league and then you only have him playing one year. I don't think anyone could have stood out enough on the line this year to make scouts think of them as early NFL caliber.
 
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