Offensive Line Play

[Sexton Hardcastle]

Sorry if there's another thread on this out there. :smile2:

I'm rewatching the game on ESPN360. My question to you guys is to why we are still struggling on the OL?

Starters:
LT- Solder (JR) - Just seems to have these mental lapses from time to time. Yet overall, seems to be our most consistent OL on the field.
LG-Adkins (SO) - He saw limited time last season. Maybe his struggles can be attributed to inexperience.
C- Iltis (SO) - Always seems to be nicked up.
RG- Miller (SO) - Learning a new position. But should be excelling there.
RT-Givens (FR) - At times he can be dominant, but shows mental lapses from time to time. Especially with the false starts.

Reserves:
C- Stevens (JR) - Doing the best he can filling in for Iltis. I think he's been doing a good job.
LG-Tuioti-Mariner (FR) - Skipped out from going on a mission to stay and play this season. Not sure when he's going to see time. There is definitely an opportunity for him to come in though.
G- Blake Behrens (SO) - So far seems to be failing to live up to the hype. He was on Phil Steele's preseason B12 fourth team this year. I'm not sure what the deal is here.


Is it the players? Or is it the constant coaching changes that are happening on the OL just about every two years? I don't want to get into the youth argument, because it shouldn't be like this in Hawkins' fourth year here.

Thoughts?

 

[SanDiegoBuff]

I think continuity along the line has a lot to do with it. They're shuffling guys around and Iltis has been in and out.

The C is the most important position along the line as well, and not only are we breaking in a new C this year, but he's been injured quite a bit.

 

[dio]

I think continuity and emotion are problems.

These guys need to get angry, and need to get the desire to drive some of these DLineman into the ground. They don't play with any sort of mean-streak, and seem to be thinking way too much.

 

[buffsyko]

Continuity is one problem,attitude is the other. I don't think it's only behrens not living up to the hype, miller and solder are not either. No explosion off the ball. Where is the nasty attitude at? I thought for sure miller and givens would have it but have yet to see it. You know, that mean, nasty we're going to block you into the back of the end zone like gurode,rogers, naole etc...

 

[stampy]

Is it the players? Or is it the constant coaching changes that are happening on the OL just about every two years?
Thoughts?

Actually, I think we have had a new line coach every year for five years in a row.

 

[Buffnik]

Matt Bahr's been a bit of a mystery too. When Givens was out, we reshuffled the line instead of just plugging in Bahr at RT (where he started a number of games last year).

Also, is Shawn Daniels completely out of the mix to ever see the field here? I remember him being a solid 3* guy when we landed him out of Mullen.

We may have actually taken too many offensive linemen in that class (Miller, Bahr, Behrens, Tau, Iltis, Adkins, Daniels).

 

[SoCal Bob]

Definitely combos. Everytime you change a position you break whatever timing had been developed. Each OL needs to know the tendencies of the other, not alone the blocking schemes. Switching players positions on the OL is insane. It will only lead to breakdowns and a lack of confidence on the whole.

 

[Darth Snow]

ppl at the game said Miller was puking during the game from illness... so there is that.

 

[dyemeduke]

Actually, I think we have had a new line coach every year for five years in a row.

No - Grimes was here for more than a year.

I'm very disappointed in Denver Johnson. I blame the coaches for a lot of **** right now, including the lack of mental preparation and nasty attitude during games. I still think we have talent on this squad, but our coaches have not taught them correctly, nor has their physical athleticism been enhanced. They have the ability, and their coaches are letting them down.

 

[GoBuffs08]

I think much of the problem has been the play of QB and play calling. When the D is not worried about a QB that can run or pass deep, they put 9 guys within 2 yards of the LOS.

When the D is sending 2-3 guys every play on a blitz the OL has had lots of issues.

I would have thought that we would have tried more screen passes, swing passes, and first down throws at this point to help slow down the D. Instead we play the entire game with the old Dan Reeves Run, Run, Pass, Punt offense.

This week should be a good view on how good the OL can play. Mobile QB, and I hope a better arm throwing the ball downfield should force the D to back up the LB's.

 

[Liver]

all the factors mentioned are impacting the play of the line, imho.

but, if i had to point to one factor above all others: the Buffs are dramatically underperforming at the center position. the continued failures on the line all seem to start with a failure inside... i am not going to call any particular players out but we need far improved play at that position. if we get it, there is a chance for big improvement.

 

[leftybuff]

all the factors mentioned are impacting the play of the line, imho.

but, if i had to point to one factor above all others: the Buffs are dramatically underperforming at the center position. the continued failures on the line all seem to start with a failure inside... i am not going to call any particular players out but we need far improved play at that position. if we get it, there is a chance for big improvement.

Hmm, I wonder to whom you refer?....I give up I can't figure it out.

 

[Liver]

Hmm, I wonder to whom you refer?....I give up I can't figure it out.

look, there is a lot of finger pointing to go around. guys need to get healthy and play. backups need to play better. period. the staff needs to get guys ready to play better. the staff needs to evaluate who is better physically and to have contingency plans in place if certain other guys can't go.

etc.

 

[leftybuff]

look, there is a lot of finger pointing to go around. guys need to get healthy and play. backups need to play better. period. the staff needs to get guys ready to play better. the staff needs to evaluate who is better physically and to have contingency plans in place if certain other guys can't go.

etc.

Easy tiger, I was just kidding around...

 

[Liver]

Easy tiger, I was just kidding around...

i know! i am trying to be somewhat diplomatic. the staff needs to get its best 5 prepared and on the field at the same time on the ol. they've not managed to do that consistently this year. injuries are one factor only.

if you look on the other side of the ball, at, oh, i don't know, safety, for example, you'll see that some changes were made to get more athlecism on the field. those changes seemed to have helped against texas somewhat.

guys not being able to go are a real problem too. i don't know what to make of that. we've all heard about d-scott being dinged up in practice and therefore not getting carries in games or whatever. but, it isn't just him. there are a number of guys who don't seem to be able to convince the coaches they are healthy enough and prepared enough to go... i dunno... it is frustrating.

ya know what i mean?

:smile2:

 

[canbuff]

I think the coaching absolutely sucks but another thing that is affecting the OL play is who it has to practice against. Our d line is young and not
very talented yet so when our o line makes some good
plays against them I think it gives them a false sense of ability.

All of the other d lines that they have played against are more
experienced and arguably more talented.

 

[buffs04]

I have heard that the only thing preventing Miller from being All-Everything is his lack of a nasty, mean attitude. I recall this being mentioned in his recruiting profiles.

Anyone able to comment on this? Is there any truth there?

That seems like something that could be fixed.

 

[Sexton Hardcastle]

I have heard that the only thing preventing Miller from being All-Everything is his lack of a nasty, mean attitude. I recall this being mentioned in his recruiting profiles.

Anyone able to comment on this? Is there any truth there?

That seems like something that could be fixed.

I think fans probably put more stock into this than coaches do.

 

[buffsyko]

I think fans probably put more stock into this than coaches do.

I put stock in it. He has the skill set and size, add some meaness to it and it will enhance his performance. He needs to go "ultimate warrior" on these dl.:smile2:

 

[Sexton Hardcastle]

I put stock in it. He has the skill set and size, add some meaness to it and it will enhance his performance. He needs to go "ultimate warrior" on these dl.:smile2:

Like I said. Seems to be more of a fan deal.

 

[buffsyko]

look, there is a lot of finger pointing to go around. guys need to get healthy and play. backups need to play better. period. the staff needs to get guys ready to play better. the staff needs to evaluate who is better physically and to have contingency plans in place if certain other guys can't go.

etc.

Question is,do you trust this staff to come up with the right guy based on "their" evaluations ?

 

[buffsyko]

Like I said. Seems to be more of a fan deal.

There's that "deal" word again. :lol: :smile2:

 

[Sexton Hardcastle]

 

[BuffLuke80]

Blocking is basically kicking the guys ass across from u. If we dont have folks up front that wanna do that, sit their ass down no matter how many stars they were in hs, this isnt hs. You wanna play hs level ball in college, go to Ft Lewis. I could careless how nice these guys are off the field, just be nasty on it. Come off the ball and knock the taste outta peoples mouth, then we get rolling. That is CU football, period.

 

[Darth Snow]

Blocking is basically kicking the guys ass across from u. If we dont have folks up front that wanna do that, sit their ass down no matter how many stars they were in hs, this isnt hs. You wanna play hs level ball in college, go to Ft Lewis. I could careless how nice these guys are off the field, just be nasty on it. Come off the ball and knock the taste outta peoples mouth, then we get rolling. That used to be CU football, period.

fify

 

[BuffLuke80]

We have the folks to do it, question is can they? I think they can but things have to change here quickly. Everybody has noticed the speed problem but we arent physical as a unit either and that is rare here. I have watched and brokedown every game we have played on film and our oline has some big issues. I would put some clips up but I dont know if thats ok or not? I could just say it too, they are in between. We dont have the talent to be finesse and physical. Yes identity is more or less what im saying. We gotta pick one because these guys need to know what kind of team they are. Im not talking about score or situtations, oline is a unit and they dont even know where to step. Gotta get on the same page or we are in trouble. Kansas should be a win imho tho.

 

[Darth Snow]

We have the folks to do it, question is can they? I think they can but things have to change here quickly. Everybody has noticed the speed problem but we arent physical as a unit either and that is rare here. I have watched and brokedown every game we have played on film and our oline has some big issues. I would put some clips up but I dont know if thats ok or not? I could just say it too, they are in between. We dont have the talent to be finesse and physical. Yes identity is more or less what im saying. We gotta pick one because these guys need to know what kind of team they are. Im not talking about score or situtations, oline is a unit and they dont even know where to step. Gotta get on the same page or we are in trouble. Kansas should be a win imho tho.

Great ****ing Idea. DO IT. post some clips and lets have some substantive discussions as we break down our Oline.

 

[BuffLuke80]

Watch their feet and no i wont and there wont be much of a discussion. Im talking about first step, pad level, using hands and leverage, pretty much everything. Dont be an ass and run your mouth because u think I dont know what im discussing. Internet scum or not, ive been around football my whole life pretty much and have 4 coaches in my family. We have watched these games more than once, its there if u look.

 

[buffsyko]

Hawk uses the term deal a bunch.

 

[Darth Snow]

Watch their feet and no i wont and there wont be much of a discussion. Im talking about first step, pad level, using hands and leverage, pretty much everything. Dont be an ass and run your mouth because u think I dont know what im discussing. Internet scum or not, ive been around football my whole life pretty much and have 4 coaches in my family. We have watched these games more than once, its there if u look.

was this a pre-emptive strike to **** talkers?