Offensive Line Concern/fact or fiction?

[OrangeSquid]

If we had a 100% healthy team with twice the talent, then there would still be a concern on VN that ESPN still hates us, we aren't high enough in the polls, or our Heisman candidate is gonna get screwed.

 

[bigorangepoppa]

Seems to me that Heupel has a plan to have multiple players that can play multiple positions. Getting them ready if needed anywhere on the line.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

My concern with the offensive line is always reps together and rhythm. Pre-snap penalties are poison to Heupel's tempo offense.

Being able to shift guys around and play different positions is essential but I want a core group that's run at tempo over and over and over.

The problems will show up as "false starts" and "blown assignments" which we can handle with UVA and Austin Peay, but not against SEC teams. If they can function as a stable, low mistake unit by the FL game, I'll be happy.

 

[Namorto1]

So long as we stay healthy (a ?? in Cooper Mays) than I think we will have a serviceable OL and as the season progresses the best option at LG will emerge. You would think we have somewhat of an upgrade at LT with Campbell, Jr than what we played with last year by all accounts. Corvin was a reasonably good and versatile LG so downgrade based on info to date out of training camp. Coop is Coop. Spraggins will have his best year. Likely Crawford obviously will be a significant downgrade from Wright. We have more depth than last year, but a bit unfortunate that we haven't had some guys take a next step according to reports: (ie: Mincey, Nichols, Lampley, Reddick, Clipper, and Grant in particular). Give Karic a bit of some slack as he has to get accustomed to the pace and I think expectations were too high from him at the onset. Development position so don't expect much from true frosh or incoming JUCO, Johnson. Guys like Lane and Davis have been in the program forever.....we are going to need them to perform. It should be their time.

 

[Other_Guy]

Listening to like Volquest it sounds like the concern is that no one is really stepping up and taking spots like they had hoped. Everyone feels Milton and the skill players are good enough and Heupel can scheme around them to overcome them so they aren't as worried as they could be.
There's also the fact everyone is high on the defense improving, which means they can afford more punts/less scoring.
I think it will cost them against the best teams, which means 10-2 or 9-3. I don't think it will cost them a successful season.

 

[KeyVol14]

Listening to like Volquest it sounds like the concern is that no one is really stepping up and taking spots like they had hoped. Everyone feels Milton and the skill players are good enough and Heupel can scheme around them to overcome them so they aren't as worried as they could be.
There's also the fact everyone is high on the defense improving, which means they can afford more punts/less scoring.
I think it will cost them against the best teams, which means 10-2 or 9-3. I don't think it will cost them a successful season.

Is it left guard they are concerned with? Would like to know which podcast is referencing this.

 

[rdk4121]

Is it left guard they are concerned with? Would like to know which podcast is referencing this.

I think LG (though it seems like Karic is stepping up there) and RT are the concerns. I think they thought, and myself as well, that Mincey would've locked down the spot but he's still been either running with the 2s at times on the right side, and has been with the 2s at times on the left as well.

 

[Other_Guy]

Is it left guard they are concerned with? Would like to know which podcast is referencing this.

Yeah volquest with hubbs and price and the gang are definitely concerned at LG and backup C.

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

After perusing (looking at) quite a few web sites and reporters blogs and podcasts, I’m more confused than enlightened.
Some, like Basilio, are already at the “hair on fire “ stage saying that Coopers situation has shown just how little quality depth that we have on the oline. While others are saying it’s not ideal but it’s not something to panic about just yet.
Wondering where VolNation stands.

That is typical Basilio isnt it?

 

[Eastknox865]

I think LG (though it seems like Karic is stepping up there) and RT are the concerns. I think they thought, and myself as well, that Mincey would've locked down the spot but he's still been either running with the 2s at times on the right side, and has been with the 2s at times on the left as well.

From what I heard on the Swain event is that Karic isn't stepping up at all.

 

[Vfl2407]

That is typical Basilio isnt it?

Pretty much. Fills a lot of air time.

 

[wtmvol]

If Lampley gets a starter role, who’s going to take over getting hurt on XP’s?

 

[SpookyAction]

I really do miss those 90s and early 2000s teams that were NFL talent top to bottom on OL and DL.
I never worried about Line play.
LBs too.
and DBs, ...

 

[901 Orange]

In Elerbee I trust

 

[DaddyChad]

It’s the biggest concern imo. Particularly interior Oline. We should kill Florida but they’re actually good in the middle of that defensive line. We got our lunch taken last year vs Georgia bc of our interior Oline; we’re not as good this year on Oline imo.

 

[25vol]

Im not worried because I’ve already set myself up for disappointment. Lol in all seriousness we just lost a top ten pick out of that room and there’s gonna be a drop off in performance no doubt about that. I think we’ll be fine but I don’t expect us to be pushing around better defensive lines like Alabama. Hell even with Darnell last year Georgia was able to have their way with them. We need a lot more talent that’s for sure.

 

[Vol737]

I’m confident a couple of guys will step up between now and the time we head down to Gainesville and play well. It’s what the VOLS do. We still have guys with a lot of experience in different positions along the line. Spraggins, Lane, Lampley, Ball, Davis, Mincey. Newcomers in Karic and Campbell with good in game experience. Nichols has a huge opportunity here too if he takes it. Elerbee will get this figured out. And if Mays comes back by FLA week at 100%, the worry is all for naught.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Over the decades, I've learned the profound truth about not worrying about things over which you have no control. Just enjoy the ride this years team is able to provide. If a lineman goes down, it's time for another scholarship player to step up. Never know what a youngster will do if forced into action. They think differently and practice differently when they're a starter vs a backup. Yeah, I know the desire is for them to work like they're already starting, but anyone who's played the game knows there's something different when you know your on the field from the jump. This is kind of a transition year in my mind. Joe and Co are keeping the train on the tracks until Nico and the other talented youngsters mature. Gimme 8-9 wins this year and it's a successful season. Gimme 10 and we're likely not only turning the corner, but we're also making footsteps that UGA will start listening to.

This. 1000 times. Panic is saved for events like water pooling in my front yard when it isn't pouring rain. Like this past Thursday. And even then, I really didn't panic. I just called a plumber

 

[turbovol]

We won't know until we play a decent/good opponent....