Okay...about that Oline.

[iamhubby1]

I just thought I would try this thread starting thingy out and see if I can make a difference in a fellow Huddlers life.

So here's my 1st ever Hubby gonna set you right thread. Where to start? The obvious ones like Cam, he gon' ball like nothin ere seen this year. Or that Defense? Sheew! Those 2 alone should warm your cockle shellz. But nah. Too easy.

No siree Bob. I want to start with that oh so important Oline. And when you start to start talking about the Oline, you start with Kalil. Not the biggest of Centers in the game, but that is his only flaw. He is now the absolute anchor of that line. And considered one of the leading Cs in the league.

2 things I really like about Ryan are his technique, and his leadership. He has to fill those leadership shoes without Gross for the first time in his career. But he couldn't of had a better role model, or mentor, than Jordan. Does he get near the respect, for both himself, and his fellow OL as a group with Gross gone? That is going to say a lot. Although I cannot perceive of a reason Ryan cannot lead that group. Teamed with Cam, and Keek. You have 3 or your 4 units covered.

Technique. What do they say? Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach. I see Ryan as tactician. Every move designed to learn and grow. Those types of analytics can be taught. I happen to think it was Ryan, Gross, and Coaching that made our Oline not suck. I absolutely believe he is coaching his mates as hard, or harder probably just as more motivation, as the coaches are.

Can Ryan assume command of the Oline corp.? That is a question worth pondering. If he can? We have the potential to be more than capable of executing a productive running game.

Now could be the time for Bell to shine. Take over that alpha dog in training role. Bring a new and bigger attitude to match his size and ability. He is pretty much a vet now. If he comes in ready to lead, or maybe Ryan has a talk with him, and something clicks? Any and all scenarios where he has a break out year? Hellz yeah it could happen.

Let's start by judging what we want to do. Run the ball. This is right in Bell's wheelhouse. He has the size, and length, to move guys around. He has the ability to wall off an alley without getting in the way. He stays with his man longer, consistently, than anyone I've ever seen. He may not get to the second level very well, but this, in the run game, is his only real flaw.

Bell just may be a good candidate for Lt. Maybe with being a 4th year vet. He may be ready to take on that responsibility?

Amini, and KugZilla are 2 more big guyz. 1, Amini, was looking to be coming into his own before injury shortened a promising year. If he can cam (oops, fuedian slip maybe?)come back looking like a 3rd year vet!? Teamed with Kalil, that is a pretty promising start.

Amini has enough size, and strength to win his share of battles up the middle. He has the speed to get to both the outside, and to the second level. Throw in that if he has you. You goin where he wants you. He can lead the sweep, or he can come across and run the trap. He can do everything you want your RT to do in the running game. With the size to still be a factor in short yardage.

If Amini comes in a year better than what last year projected to be. He is going to be more than capable handling the job.

Chandler just has that feel good story with a happy ending kinda guy. He is going to take to RT like a that sailor did to my sister in law last weekend. Athletic is the word that seems to be the starting point with him. Inexperienced, at least at the RT position, is a given. But the kid has done damm well everywhere they have put him.

His size may not make him an ideal RT, but in 2 TE sets, with KugZilla beside him. In most situations, all he has to do is not lose the war. For the basic 1st, 2nd, and hellz, any damm down running plays, he can use his size, quickness, and athleticism to his advantage. Giving him ample opportunity to win his share of battles. But, like Kalil, he is a tad undersized for what you would like to be in those short yardage situations.

I played Short Stop my whole career. When I moved to softball I moved to 1st base. Best position on the fugging field. I wish I had played it my whole career. My hope is that is what happens for Chandler. He has the on field jitterz out of the way. He has learned he can hang with the big boys. Maybe RT, where his athleticism can be an asset will bring out the best in him?

Chandler is a big question mark. I cannot argue that. But all indications are. This kid gets it. RT just fits his skill so well.

If we had to go to war tomorrow. I could live with this group. Room for growth? Sure. But a pretty good starting spot.

tl/dr version/ Thanks for listening. Don't forget to tip your bartenders and waitresses. Thanks, and good night.

[The Huddler]

Maybe we can just run sweeps all day cause our two receivers block pretty good

[iamhubby1]

Maybe we can just run sweeps all day cause our two receivers block pretty good

Too simple. NFL Defenses will catch up to that sooner or later. But if you run it well enough, you should be successful at it.

Easy peasy.

[Ghost of Steve Smith]

[Gallagher]

Chandler at RT is an interesting idea. I think in the 2nd or 3rd, we can find a day 1 starter, so we can let Chandler and Kugbila compete at RG. 

 

And while, I'm hopeful that this Bell at LT experiment can work (He's right handed guys!), I'm fairly confident that if he doesn't preform we pick up a stopgap vet after TC cuts.

[The Huddler]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I fixed the depth chart on madden so that its was Bell-Amini-kalil-kug-williams.

I felt like I was being raped.

[rayzor]

i feel great about center.

 

i feel ok with the competition we have at guard on both sides.

 

i feel nauseous about the choices we have at OT right now. that absolutely frightens me.

 

 

[SauceBoss]

true

[Mvp2014]

Not at all comfortable with LT. Hope someone far more gifted than Bell falls in our lap.

[KillerKat]

I don't like the idea of making 3 changes to our current line just to compensate for 1 guy leaving. Chandler should be our LT atm. But we need to upgrade LT and leave everyone else where they were last year. I want to upgrade RT too, but the coaches seem to be in love with Bell for some reason.

[SCP]

I just can't get behind our tackle options. Maybe Travis Bond competes at RT? At least he has NFL tackle size. All I know is when your skill players are not game breakers, you better have one beast of an oline and we don't as of today.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

You can polish that turd as much as you want, it ain't gonna shine.

[MHS831]

Nobody mentioned the fact that Garry "Runaway Train" Williams is back in the mix...

 

Ok, I faded off for a sec but I am back...

 

Bell probably is a better fit at LT than RT.  That does not mean I like him there.  SCP mentions Travis "Gold" Bond as a potential player at RT.  The word on the street during the UNC pro day is that the Panthers' coach Matzko really likes him.  A friend ate lunch beside him and asked him a few questions, so this is coming from Bond himself.

 

We really need to worry about LT.  I Think we can throw Chandler, Bell, Bond, and Williams at RT and find a decent player.  I think LT is going to be a rookie.  But this love they are giving Byron "Taco" Bell is ridiculous. Smokescreen?

[AceBoogie]

I still believe Amini should be the LT