First time I'll admit....

[sjt18]

Is there any reason to believe the Oline will be better next year? Everyone is rightfully saying they better hit the portal hard to infuse the talent . . . But how likely is that? I think reality is likely more toward another year of a bad Oline . . . And maybe we trim the corner in 2025.

Yes. The first guys Heupel signed will have developed for 2 or 3 years. There are exceptions but most good OLs are developed for 2-3 years before getting on the field. You have to pretty radically change their bodies and teach them techniques that are difficult to master. Then they have to learn to play seamlessly as part of a unit with timing and coordination similar to a choreographed music video... and they have to know dozens of them and be able to adjust them on the fly.

There are a few guys who just come in ready. There are others who by necessity are thrown into the fire and have to learn as they go. But the best way to build an OL and sustain it year after year is to "build offensive linemen" in your development program.

 

[vegasvolfan]

Yes. The first guys Heupel signed will have developed for 2 or 3 years. There are exceptions but most good OLs are developed for 2-3 years before getting on the field. You have to pretty radically change their bodies and teach them techniques that are difficult to master. Then they have to learn to play seamlessly as part of a unit with timing and coordination similar to a choreographed music video... and they have to know dozens of them and be able to adjust them on the fly.

There are a few guys who just come in ready. There are others who by necessity are thrown into the fire and have to learn as they go. But the best way to build an OL and sustain it year after year is to "build offensive linemen" in your development program.

If we get Mincey and Mays back this year, we will see improvements this year. Mincey was an obvious starter when he came in and took over that spot. From a developmental perspective, yes they should improve. Our OL played much better throughout last year and they were a little better the year before then they were when Heupel came in. From a personnel perspective, we have recruited some guys that should help.

 

[sjt18]

If we get Mincey and Mays back this year, we will see improvements this year. Mincey was an obvious starter when he came in and took over that spot. From a developmental perspective, yes they should improve. Our OL played much better throughout last year and they were a little better the year before then they were when Heupel came in. From a personnel perspective, we have recruited some guys that should help.

This is confusing for me. When reports came out that he was mostly working as a back up at LT, I expected them to switch him to RT in time to win a starting job. I think that did not happen. Crawford started both games opposite Campbell.

Unless there were issues with Mincey before, this is confusing to me. My understanding was that Mincey was the better of the two when they competed for LT last year.

 

[vegasvolfan]

This is confusing for me. When reports came out that he was mostly working as a back up at LT, I expected them to switch him to RT in time to win a starting job. I think that did not happen. Crawford started both games opposite Campbell.

Unless there were issues with Mincey before, this is confusing to me. My understanding was that Mincey was the better of the two when they competed for LT last year.

I understood the same thing. I was not aware he wasn’t starting prior to the FL game.

 

[vegasvolfan]

If we get Mincey and Mays back this year, we will see improvements this year. Mincey was an obvious starter when he came in and took over that spot. From a developmental perspective, yes they should improve. Our OL played much better throughout last year and they were a little better the year before then they were when Heupel came in. From a personnel perspective, we have recruited some guys that should help.

Apparently I am wrong about Mincey. I have been told he wasn’t the starter prior to the FL game.

 

[MurphyVol]

Yes. The first guys Heupel signed will have developed for 2 or 3 years. There are exceptions but most good OLs are developed for 2-3 years before getting on the field. You have to pretty radically change their bodies and teach them techniques that are difficult to master. Then they have to learn to play seamlessly as part of a unit with timing and coordination similar to a choreographed music video... and they have to know dozens of them and be able to adjust them on the fly.

There are a few guys who just come in ready. There are others who by necessity are thrown into the fire and have to learn as they go. But the best way to build an OL and sustain it year after year is to "build offensive linemen" in your development program.

I'm not defending the debacle we saw the other night, but I will add one thing I'll add to your comments- we sometimes forget that almost 100% of the 2021 class has vanished. We basically went a whole cycle without adding any contributors to the o line or any position.

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

When talkin' the OL who do you call??
View attachment 580558

No LOL

 

[flatiron]

When talkin' the OL who do you call??
View attachment 580558

God no

 

[stolitonic]

When talkin' the OL who do you call??
View attachment 580558

Somebody needs to put a Krispy Kreme beside the practice field. Guarantee that Phil never makes it to another practice again for any reason.

 

[Behr]

No.
Keep that man as far away from the program as possible.

It's my understanding he's in very poor health.

 

[sjt18]

I'm not defending the debacle we saw the other night, but I will add one thing I'll add to your comments- we sometimes forget that almost 100% of the 2021 class has vanished. We basically went a whole cycle without adding any contributors to the o line or any position.

Agree. I think there may be a few trying to excuse what happened. Many are overreacting to the negative or panic side. Most of us I think are just trying to explain it.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

This is confusing for me. When reports came out that he was mostly working as a back up at LT, I expected them to switch him to RT in time to win a starting job. I think that did not happen. Crawford started both games opposite Campbell.

Unless there were issues with Mincey before, this is confusing to me. My understanding was that Mincey was the better of the two when they competed for LT last year.

I suspect talent isn't the issue with Mincey and he's not a starter because he's not giving the effort to earn it.

Buy in. Confidence. A sense that the sacrifice needed to excel is worth it. Bru hinted, actually said, the guys aren't believing.

I suspect Mincey's issues are a symptom of what Bru was talking about.

 

[sjt18]

I suspect talent isn't the issue with Mincey and he's not a starter because he's not giving the effort to earn it.

Buy in. Confidence. A sense that the sacrifice needed to excel is worth it. Bru hinted, actually said, the guys aren't believing.

I suspect Mincey's issues are a symptom of what Bru was talking about.

Maybe. They did bring a guy in to basically take his spot at LT.

 

[Remy]

true.

Heupel and Hazle have both made statements that they believe Nico could play and they have confidence in him to do so. But both said this about Joe. Heupel yesterday and Hazle today. Heupel is not close to making a change and shouldn't unless the OL stabilizes.

the reality is that it is about Joe because as Heupel indicated yesterday and Halzle made it clear today they believe Joe is playing better than those in the outside believe

How many UT coaches are going to lose their jobs over falling in love with a failing QB? Granted Milton is not failed yet, but he’s fast tracking in that direction.

 

[LWSVOL]

How many UT coaches are going to lose their jobs over falling in love with a failing QB? Granted Milton is not failed yet, but he’s fast tracking in that direction.

question I can't answer. My guess is no one. don't think anyone on this staff is in any sort of danger of losing their job.

 

[Frozevol]

Maybe they all need some edibles pregame.

I’m old school…go with amphetamines.

 

[KTrain]

Spraggins does. Love that guy.

He’s had 4 penalties in 3 games. That’s over 1 a game by just 1 lineman. You can play great but if you’re putting your team in bad down & distances you need to clean it up.

 

[knoxchief]

Our backup center killed us the other night. Getting Cooper Mays back will be huge

Do we expect Mays to be back this week?

 

[Imallvol]

Since he dressed last week, went through pre-game drills, one would hope, haven't heard anything definate.

 

[Imallvol]

Do we expect Mays to be back this week?

Since he dressed last week, went through pre-game drills, one would hope, haven't heard anything definate.

 

[stolitonic]

Or at least, don’t get caught.

Wanya Morris says hello.....

 

[tennesseeduke]

Our O-LINE is too soft, unprepared, and has too many penalties. How can this be fixed? Or are we doomed?

Spraggins is struggling also and this could be because Mays is out

 

[livefaith]

He’s had 4 penalties in 3 games. That’s over 1 a game by just 1 lineman. You can play great but if you’re putting your team in bad down & distances you need to clean it up.

That wasn't the subject at hand.