2021 Offensive Line: Finally Some Answers (or more questions)?

[kungfoodude]

10 minutes ago, davos said:

Mentioned him about 3 times in the OP

I suspect he is drunk.

Great post @davos

Edited May 2, 2021 by kungfoodude

[davos]

4 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I suspect he is drunk.

Great post @davos

Ha thanks, I mean I flubbed some grammar/it's just a message board, but I was like uhhhhhh lol

[Jon erickson]

I feel like the most glaringly horrible O-line play last year was from LG Chris Reed and he's gone, I think David Moore comes in w the Norwell anger and takes the spot.

[Khyber53]

1 hour ago, Moo Daeng said:

Don't forget the UDFA guard out of Grambling, Moore.

That kid can become a monster. Just needs a lot of polish. It takes more than "Hulk Smash" to win in the big league. Of course, being able to Hulk Smash-it will really help!

[Moo Daeng]

1 hour ago, davos said:

Even said how we now have 2 OLs from Grambling

I was reacting to the most recent post where you listed them again but without Moore. Sorry

[Michael G]

The Camp Battles along the offensive line are going to be something to watch. I am interested in the Rookies and Erving and Elf. The situations with Erving and Elf remind me of Sam Darnold. It seems Rhule likes bringing in guys with something to prove. These Guys were 1st round picks and are good athletes that didn't get it done (for whatever reason) their last stops. They were rated super low last year (like Darnold), but have high ceilings. It will be interesting if they live up to their potential. There's more than one attempted turn around going on in Carolina.

[kungfoodude]

4 hours ago, stbugs said:

Why do people have Miller starting over Erving and Elflein? We didn’t give them $14M guaranteed to sit behind a guy we paid $1M for 1 year. They could bomb but right now I’d assume it’s:

T - Christensen and Moton

G - Elflein and Erving

C - Paradis

I’d think backups will be Scott, Brown, Daley, Moore and Miller. Maybe Little will make it. I could see Miller getting cut if Brown and Moore look solid.

I think the guy with the best chance at jumping into the lineup is Moore. If Christensen can’t handle LT, then I think Scott jumps back in or maybe Erving slides there.

 

I suspect Scott ends up starting the majority of games for us. I still believe it might be a bridge too far for Christensen. 

I damn sure hope I am wrong. I will rescind every critical comment about Fitt and Rhule's offseason if they nail a very good LT.

[Jared Patterson]

4 hours ago, Trainwreck said:

LT: Eric Fisher, Greg Little, Brady Christensen 

LG: Deonte Brown, Dennis Daley

OC: Matt Paradis, Pat Elflein 

RG: David Moore, John Miller

RT: Taylor Moton, Cam Erving

Would love Fisher on a super cheap 2 year deal, let him sit out this year then prove it the next. Why no? we got plenty of money. Worth the gamble, could easily cut.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Jared Patterson

[Jared Patterson]

Just now, Trainwreck said:

Still only 30. 

Any known interest?

[MHS831]

Davos, good thread.  This is going to be fun.  We are 3 deep at every position, but only Moton is a stellar--that is OK and here is why:

With CMC able to motion out, with a slot like Sli or Moore, with WRs on the outside like Anderson, Moore, and Marshall--and a TE that can run routes and catch (Arnold) and another that can punish blitzers or help on the edge--we have so many ways to offset their attempt to exploit our Offensive front.

At LT, Christensen will need time to develop and add technique--with short arms, your footwork and technique are critically important.  Were we terrible with Scott?  Meh., but with a blocking FB/TE/headhunter, I feel better about it.  Irving, Scott, and maybe hope Little improves.  If not, hope Christensen is ready soon.  We still have 4 options there right now. 

At G?  We have 2 LGs who can play.  Daley and Elflein--both better than Reed and that other guy we tried there last year----MOST OF THE PROBLEMS ON THE LEFT SIDE were due to DCs exploiting the high turnover, scrub filled LT and LG when OKung went down, Reed was exposed.  Elflein is better.  Note:  Deonte Brown played both LG and RG in college and can pull.  He needs to drop another 20 lbs and he can start on either side.  He is VERY good. 

At C?  Not a Paradis fan, but he is a veteran and smart.  He needs 2 studs beside him.  I am very happy we signed the G from Grambling from the SR bowl--I watched him and was blown away--low center of gravity and good feet.  His anchor was incredible.  I could not help but wonder, CAN HE PLAY CENTER? Stay tuned.

I used to coach OL and I was sitting at a conference talking to EZ Smith from Concord one day--a very good OL coach.  We were buddies, and I used to pick his brain (I was in my 20s).  And I know HS is a little different from the pros, but he said something I never forgot:  "You can deal with 1 weak OL, but you can't hide 2."  Last year, we had 2 weak OL and 2 average OL and one stud for most of the year. 

I would say that Miller was our second best OL--he played beside Moton.  That helps.  Paradis played between average and below average, so he did OK.  the LG played beside crap, and the LT played beside the LG, also crap.

So where are we going to be improved:  LT, LG, C (if flanked by better players) and LG.  We have better players at both guard spots coming in as rookies.  We addressed LT. 
 

So we are already better if you look at the 5 OL.  But add CMC's range, a blocking headhunter like Tremble, an additional threat at WR--and we will be much improved.  Giggity.

 

Edited May 3, 2021 by MHS831