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Ohio Football

Topic: Offensive Line

Topic: Offensive Line

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L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,498

Status: Offline

Offensive Line

Posted: 10/5/2010 2:30:09 PM

Probably the biggest disappointment of this season has been the offensive line. What looked like it was going to be a very solid and experienced suffered major losses in the off season. Rehashing those, former starter Bunner hung up his cleats and former starters Flowers and Laudermilch were lost for the season due to injury, while former backup Davis went home to Omaha, and backup Pinder had grade issues.

The offensive line resulting after all these losses did not look good at all against Toledo nor against Ohio State. The good news is that they did do somewhat better against Marshall, and had an excellent game against EMU. In fact, the 33.5 pancakes they were credited with is the highest total I show against a Division I-A team in the last few years. Is this a sign that the young line is improving? Or did EMU have a really weak defensive line? We'll know more after a few more games, but hopefully its a little of both.

Some of the good trends I see in the numbers:
- Strum struggled at first with the shift to LT from LG, which normally means he now lines up across from the other teams best defensive lineman. He gave up 3 sacks, 2 pressures, and a penalty in the first two games, but has only given up one pressure, a half sack, and no penalties in the three games since, and his grade has been rising as well. As he improves, that means Boo's blind side is secure, which has to help help Boo's passing.
- Lechner has moved over to fill in for Carlotta while Carlotta has been injured, and seems to be doing very well for this stage in his career. He was credited with 7 pancakes in only 40 snaps at EMU.
- Flading is doing a great job at RT, probably playing at All-Mac levels. Against EMU he was credited with 68 good plays out of 69, and 7.5 pancakes.
- Neither Allen or Mitchell is consistently better than the other at center, but both are improving.
- Herman is doing a decent job at RG, and seems to be improving as well.

So long as this group remains mostly healthy, I think the line is going to be vastly improved by the end of the year, and that will mean the offense will perform as we have expected. Not only that, none of these players are Seniors except Mitchell and Batsakes. The line for next year should be even better, unless there are major off-season losses again, especially if Laudermilch and Flowers return..

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Jeff McKinney
Moderator

Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,155

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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/5/2010 4:05:05 PM

Thanks for the analysis, L.C. I hope your optimism for the future is well-founded.

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,498

Status: Offline

RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/5/2010 4:17:32 PM

I hope so, too. I certainly was overoptimistic about the prospects for this year's line, but hopefully as the year goes on they will keep improving. On the negative side, maybe it's just that EMU's defensive line was really bad, and a lot of the "progress" I'm seeing is illusory.

I do know that the QB, whether Bates or Jackson, is going to look a lot better if they have time to throw, and have confidence is the blocking, particularly from the back side. I also know that the running attack will look a lot sharper if the holes are there and the Bobcats can go straight at the other team instead of relying on mis-direction so much. All too often the RB and QB get too much credit and/or blame, when much of what happens is dramatically affected by the big guys up front. I know JCW has commented that this year's offensive problems have been significantly affected by the line. I can also tell you that the Bobcats rarely lose when the line has a good game, and rarely win when they have a bad one.

Last Edited: 10/5/2010 4:21:39 PM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Jeff McKinney
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/5/2010 5:04:19 PM

I wonder if the "spread" type offenses are here to stay for the long term, or if there may be a return to the power running game? Aesthetically, I think the power running game is much more enjoyable. However, with the athleticism of defenses, I'm afraid that we won't see a return to it.

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,498

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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/5/2010 5:05:20 PM

L.C.... wrote:

I can also tell you that the Bobcats rarely lose when the line has a good game, and rarely win when they have a bad one.

In defense of this statement, over the past few years I used a formula of my own to compute the offensive line performance, compiling everything into a single number. In games when that number exceeded 4.04 the Bobcats are 13-0. In games where the number is between 3.97-4.03, the Bobcats are 11-6. In games where the number is 3.96 or less, the Bobcats are 4-20. The actual formula isn't important; what is important is that it completely ignores other factors, such as who was at QB or RB, defense, weather, where the game was played, turnovers, etc, and yet it still is a very accurate indicator of who won the game.

For games this year, Wofford and EMU were in the expected win group (4.13 and 4.15), OSU and Toledo were in the expected loss group (3.96 and 3.90), while Marshall was in the borderline group that could go either way at 3.99.

Let's hope we see the offensive line keep getting better because they do matter.

Last Edited: 10/5/2010 5:05:51 PM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

ddub63
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Member Since: 12/23/2007
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/5/2010 5:41:44 PM

Why can't we go to more no-huddle at times to keep the defense on their heels and keep the momentum going???

Monroe Slavin
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Location: Oxnard, CA
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 12:04:11 AM

ddub63 wrote:

Why can't we go to more no-huddle at times to keep the defense on their heels and keep the momentum going???

Ah! Note that someone beside me brought this up this time.

Russ said that the offense was playing at a much quicker pace on our first series or two vs. EMU. Was this by design--I hope. Seems to me to reflect confidence and vigor--which is 100% the opposite of what our offense brought vs. columbus.

Did anyone see the play in the Oke-Texas game last week? The team came up to the line and snapped it immediately. The defense was literally not ready--only a few guys close to being in position and many guys turned away from the line of scrimmage. It went for an easy touchdown on a run from about 25 yards out, I believe. That is why I advocate the hurry up occasionally--catches the D off guard and makes them adjust. I just don't know why we don't have that in our arsenal for occasional use.

I'm not in love with the pistol. I guess it makes it a lot easier for qb's to see the receivers (can scan field immediately, don't need to first take a few steps gack from center). But I don't favor running backs getting the ball 7 yards behind line of scrimmage. Either way--pistol or under center--I wanna see more two back sets. Davidson, Brown, Boykin--put the wood on 'em!

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bobcatgrad
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Location: Nagoya, Japan
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 12:19:20 AM

Great thread. I also get the feeling commendations are in order for Lightner and the rest our coaching staff in the work they do behind the scenes to make sure our linemen can find ways to improve each game. I have seen us have our line hit with a lot of injuries before and come back from it to assemble a decent line somehow, and I get that same feeling now. I also share L.C.'s view that the jury is still out a little bit for this year's O-line though because the EMU defense was pretty bad, but I am more tempted to think positively based on our past two good showings.

DelBobcat
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 12:32:49 AM

L.C. wrote:

L.C.... wrote:

I can also tell you that the Bobcats rarely lose when the line has a good game, and rarely win when they have a bad one.

What's BG's number?

BA OHIO 2010, BS OHIO 2010, MA Delaware 2012

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,498

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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 1:33:47 AM

I can give you that next week. I compute it based on the offensive line statistics buried deep within the game notes. If the line blocks well, the cats will win regardless of who is at QB, how many RBs are in at a time, or whatever. Give Boo time, he will pick the defense apart. Give Bates time, he will do damage, too. Give Davidson, Boykin, etc room, and they will move the chains.

Given that BG's defense hasn't been solid, I expect another good number this week, and a win. I expect the same against Akron. The redchickens will be a better test, but the real test of the line will be the last three games, Buffalo, Temple, and Kent.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

71 BOBCAT
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 9:12:07 AM

L.C.
Many thanks for your insights into the game and specifically the 0-LINE. There is no doubt that all the injuries suffered by our experienced 0-LINE have hurt us this year. One could probably conclude what our record would be had we not suffered these injuies. On the other hand if we are able to have a good year with this group then next year could be even better.

GO BOBCATS

Bobcat36
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Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Delaware, OH
Post Count: 1,167

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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 11:04:42 AM

Ditto...I very much appreciate LC's posts and feel that his acumen has added a great deal of value ever since Coach came on board.

Which reminds me...Congratulations on the Huskers return to prominence LC! Replacing the bad apple was long overdue...Can't wait to see them wreak havoc on Ohio A&M's schedule in the future...

Here's hoping LC's logic gets some people off Boo's back!

GoBobcats!!!! Always have been and always will be... Ohio's First and Finest!

Kinggeorge4
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Location: Guysville, OH
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 11:25:59 AM

I have often wished for the no huddle with our talent at WR. Do we get the play in quick enough for us to be effective? Seems we can be a tad slow in calling plays at times.

GO BOBCATS
GEORGE

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,498

Status: Offline

RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/6/2010 3:24:01 PM

Bobcat36 wrote:

Which reminds me...Congratulations on the Huskers return to prominence LC! Replacing the bad apple was long overdue...Can't wait to see them wreak havoc on Ohio A&M's schedule in the future...

Here's hoping LC's logic gets some people off Boo's back!

Just to be clear, I'm more of a Husker observer than fan these days. I do think they will make it interesting for A&M, but I think their experience will be like Penn State - they will be a factor in the conference, but not win many championships. I'm still not even sure what to call the conference they left, nor the one they are going to, since it seems wrong to call a conference with 10 teams the Big Twelve, and one with twelve teams the Big Ten.

Getting people off Boo's back and Phil's back was the point of the post. Both are good athletes, and I think Ohio could win with either. As the line improves, and I think it will, both QBs will seem to get a lot better. It was pointed out to me once that while the highest paid position in the NFL is QB, the second highest paid position is LT. Why? Because the line matters, and because the LT protects the QB's blindside.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
Post Count: 3,812

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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/13/2010 8:55:53 AM

71 BOBCAT wrote:

I know our offensive line was pretty dominant against BG, which is a good sign, and I think we'll see the same against Akron. But looking ahead to next year, it is very promising when you consider that there are no seniors starting at this time on the offensive line and we added in John Prior, the transfer from Florida State.

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,498

Status: Offline

RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/13/2010 4:27:40 PM

DelBobcat wrote:

What's BG's number?

The number against BG was 4.12, another excellent job by the Offensive line. Based on what Akron has done this year, I'm looking for another big number this week, and a win. With these kinds of numbers, I'm looking for some solid play down in the hard games down the stretch, and I think the Bobcats have a good shot of winning out.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/13/2010 5:12:44 PM

L.C. wrote:

DelBobcat wrote:

What's BG's number?

Temple obviously has struggled to run the ball a lot more than expected. I wonder if it has to do with an underwhelming performance by the offensive line.

Monroe Slavin
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Location: Oxnard, CA
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RE: Offensive Line

Posted: 10/13/2010 9:07:26 PM

L.C. has found a stat number that is reliably predictive. I know that this isn't but BG was averaging giving up 511 yards per game before we played 'em. We got 380.

I know. We killed 'em when it counted. But as much as I love the enthusiasm, it will validate for me when we put it on the better teams.

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