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Offensive Line against OSU

Buffnik

Buffnik

Real name isn't Nik
Club Member
Junta Member
I was very critical of OL play while watching last night. Too many penalties and missed assignments for the offense to ever get into a rhythm.

They have to get better.

So, while I'm not excusing it, there are reasons on the injury front.

The OL to start the season was: LT Irwin, LG Kough, C Kelley, RG Huckins/Callahan, RT Nembot

Irwin - who is probably our most dependable OL - was lost for the season in Week 2 to a knee. His replacement, Kronshage, has been in and out of the lineup with various injuries, often forcing Lisella onto the field. This sometimes flips Nembot to LT. And it sometimes has resulted in Callahan shifting from the platoon RG to RT/LT.

Last night, Kough was also out (neck spasms).

So our starting OL was a completely different left side: LT Kronshage, LG Huckins, C Kelley, RG Callahan, RT Nembot.

Then, during the game, Kronshage went out early in the 2nd half (shoulder). That brought Lisella in at LT.

Later in the 2nd half, Huckins went out with an undisclosed injury and Wiefels came in at LG.

So, the OL that was on the field for those final drives when the Buffs were trying to salt the game away -- and weren't able to open running lanes or protect Sefo -- was: LT Lisella, LG Wiefels, C Kelley, RG Callahan, RT Nembot.

It's understandable that the offense would struggle in that situation. Especially against an Oregon State defense that is pretty stout up front (pretty much the only spot on its team dominated by upperclassmen is their DL).

On one 3rd down play, the play was blown up because Kelley got completely worked by the NT, so that can't be blamed on backups or a group not being used to working together. He just got beat.

But I do question Lindgren not being more aware of the situation and adjusting his play calling accordingly.

If you've got Lisella and Wiefels on the left with Callahan and Nembot on the right... why the hell are you running to the left in short yardage situations? Don't try to out-think people all the time. You've got to trust your best to beat their best when the game is on the line. If I was calling plays, I would have been running to the right and I would have had Bernardi pull Kelley, Callahan & Nembot to the side before the final couple series and tell them to go out and put the damn game away because we're running every play behind them.
 
The Oline is the sole reason for the difference between our preseason expectations and what we have gotten so far. Some of that definitely injuries.
 
8Jah said:
The Oline is the sole reason for the difference between our preseason expectations and what we have gotten so far. Some of that definitely injuries.
Click to expand...

Not the sole reason.

Sefo has had accuracy problems that were completely unexpected. I don't think any of us predicted that he'd fix the INT problems but that there would be regression in his overall game as he made that improvement. Looks like he's starting to come out the other end of that now, though. Accuracy is coming back together and he's taking care of the football.

On defense, Tupou and Gillam were our most talented players at the first two levels of the defense. Not much to say about that except for the front seven is much less than it could have been. Also, it's taking longer than we'd hoped it would for Samson to return to form. That sack last night was a very good sign, though.

I'd say it's mostly the OL being way behind what we expected of that unit, but there are some significant other things that have held this team back when the most important position (QB) hasn't performed up to expectations and some of your most talented guys haven't been present or making plays.
 
They have flipped Nembot back and forth but he doesn't look comfortable on the left side. His tendencies to Ole on pass rush is highlighted on the left which also happens to be the side that most teams put their quickest, most agile pass rusher.

Lisella looks like a guy who is going to be at the minimum a solid quality PAC12 lineman to me. Nice frame, good agile feet, and a smart guy. Unfortunately for us and especially for Sefo and our backs he is also a guy who should be down somebodies depth chart right now developing. I saw multiple plays last night and in his prior games where he was in the right position, using the right technique, and simply got run over by stronger, more physically mature guys. That will be fixed but not this season.

Kelley is another guy who looks to me like a guy who will be a solid guy but who would still be a depth guy on a normal PAC12 roster.

I predicted 4-5 wins for this team at the start of the season and OL was a big part of why I didn't pick more. I think we finally have some good kids in the developmental pipeline. It wouldn't shock me if Lynott isn't a starter by the end of next year, He is simply a higher talent level guy than the guards we have now. If Miller could ever get past the series of setbacks he has faced he has the athletic potential to be a step up. We have a couple other young kids not mentioned here who could be better than what we have as well.

We really need to close the deal on Anchrum. He could become an all-conference type of player and one of those guys that other teams know you are going to follow when you have to have a play and you do it anyways.

Bottom line is that it all starts up front, Sefo, the RBs , the entire offense depends on what they do and so far this year it hasn't been pretty. Fans love to follow the football so they pay attention to the QB and guys he gives the ball to but none of that happens without the OL. If we are going to improve as a program that is where it has to start.
 
Sefo doesn't see the open receiver sometimes this year and that is really no different than last year. I think what people see as sefo's regression is really poor online play. Sefo really can't set his feet on many plays and he takes so much punishment. Hard not to play ineffective in state of shell shock. Seems like he is finding a way out of that state.

Topou was big loss, but we knew that coming into the season.
 
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I didn't realize that much had changed, but Kelley drove me nuts all night. What's next week's lineup look like?
 
Burrito Palazzo said:
I didn't realize that much had changed, but Kelley drove me nuts all night. What's next week's lineup look like?
Click to expand...
Like this, only sadder.

b77ae9e662ab80e7b710d05df106ead1.jpg
 
I worry about our OL next year when we lose Nembot and Kelly. OL needs to be made entirely of redshirt JRs and SRs.
 
MtnBuff said:
They have flipped Nembot back and forth but he doesn't look comfortable on the left side. His tendencies to Ole on pass rush is highlighted on the left which also happens to be the side that most teams put their quickest, most agile pass rusher.

Lisella looks like a guy who is going to be at the minimum a solid quality PAC12 lineman to me. Nice frame, good agile feet, and a smart guy. Unfortunately for us and especially for Sefo and our backs he is also a guy who should be down somebodies depth chart right now developing. I saw multiple plays last night and in his prior games where he was in the right position, using the right technique, and simply got run over by stronger, more physically mature guys. That will be fixed but not this season.

Kelley is another guy who looks to me like a guy who will be a solid guy but who would still be a depth guy on a normal PAC12 roster.

I predicted 4-5 wins for this team at the start of the season and OL was a big part of why I didn't pick more. I think we finally have some good kids in the developmental pipeline. It wouldn't shock me if Lynott isn't a starter by the end of next year, He is simply a higher talent level guy than the guards we have now. If Miller could ever get past the series of setbacks he has faced he has the athletic potential to be a step up. We have a couple other young kids not mentioned here who could be better than what we have as well.

We really need to close the deal on Anchrum. He could become an all-conference type of player and one of those guys that other teams know you are going to follow when you have to have a play and you do it anyways.

Bottom line is that it all starts up front, Sefo, the RBs , the entire offense depends on what they do and so far this year it hasn't been pretty. Fans love to follow the football so they pay attention to the QB and guys he gives the ball to but none of that happens without the OL. If we are going to improve as a program that is where it has to start.
Click to expand...

Do we have guys waiting in the depth chart to improve ol play next season? Coach them up or recruit better.
 
Has anyone noticed Josh Kaiser playing much this year? That's the one I'm excited about. Isaac Miller too, but he probably still needs at least another year of seasoning.
 
TSchekler said:
He definitely needs to be, and they need to find a JUCO T to replace Nembot.
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Yep. We need to start building some quality depth with some of the younger guys and a JUCO OT is vital to next year's success IMO.
 
Do we have any legitimate chances at any JUCO OL right now? I now we had interest from Rising and Kupcikevicius but I haven't heard anything on them for quite a while now.
 
K
Yung Buffalo said:
Do we have any legitimate chances at any JUCO OL right now? I now we had interest from Rising and Kupcikevicius but I haven't heard anything on them for quite a while now.
Click to expand...

Kupcikevicius or someone like him is a must get. Need a big, experienced OT to replace Nembot. Our current OTs are still too young.

He is keeping options open with CU, Astate and Boise st. Hope he can see how badly we need him.
 
Yung Buffalo said:
Do we have any legitimate chances at any JUCO OL right now? I now we had interest from Rising and Kupcikevicius but I haven't heard anything on them for quite a while now.
Click to expand...
Juco recruiting coverage is notoriously sketchy, unfortunately.
 
A JC OT would be a big help and that is a position where teams have had some success finding help. That and Irwin coming back healthy would be a solid step for us in improving our line play. Irwin got hurt early enough that he should easily get a medical redshirt and have two years left to play for the Buffs.

CU has a number of young guys who could step up but all fit a similar profile. They have been recruiting guys on potential more than ready ability. We have seen some of that with Lisella who has been forced into action. Good athlete but needs another year to be strong enough to stand up to PAC12 level defensive front 7 talent.

Lynott should be physically ready to compete next year, he is big and thick already. He could very well be one of our starting guards by mid-season next year and be a multi-year starter.

We have a number of guys who fit a similar profile. They have been recruiting guys who are long and athletic but still need to fill out. Kaiser fits that profile as does Miller. Another is Haigler who is 6'7" and strong enough to be a contender in the shot in California but came out of HS at 255. He will likely need a couple years at least to build up to legitimate tackle size. I think Middlemiss has been moved inside to guard If we get Anchrum he will probably be passed by both Anchrum and Lynott. He is a decent athlete though and may end up at Center.

In short we have some young guys who may help in the future but most of them won't help in the immediate future.
 
Kelley has got to get his snaps up. I lost count how many times drop had to get down to get the ball. It already cost is yardage when Sefo put his knee down to get the ball, next time it might cause a turnover.
 
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