Summary of O-line threads in 2014:
January – April:
Holy crap, the o-line could be bad next year. We have no idea if Irwin can play, or if he will be healthy. He has missed two springs and one fall with injuries. Right now we will need Muestoe to step in and play LT. Nembot looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. In the Utah game Sefo had about 1.5 seconds before he had to release the ball. I hope he can get better fast cause we don’t have anyone behind him either. Handler wasn’t all that good, but I have no idea who is going to replace him. We have two seniors in Crabb and Munyar, who I am not sure if they are starters on any other P12 team, and they are our best linemen.
May – July:
We need Callahan to be eligible right off the bat so he can be LT. We still have to wait and see if Irwin can recover from his injury. If he does maybe he goes RT if Nembot doesn't get it, or Irwin could go OG and have Munyar take over the center spot. This line is still extremely thin, and any injury means we will be taking a big step back in talent. We do have Weifels and Holland now which may add some depth, but that is still a lightly recruited Juco and a freshman. The O-line really scares me going into camp.
August:
Callahan is eligible: WAHOO!!! But he is practicing at RG behind Munyar, WTF??? Nembot is still not there, but we don’t have anyone challenging him. Irwin is playing LT, and looks OK. Not sure how this pans out, but at least his foot is healed. We have Crabb and Munyar at the guards with Kelly at C, and I am not sure how this will turn out.
September:
First week - Nembot is still not getting it; by the end of the ASU game – Nembot is starting to play like a P12 RT
First week – Our Seniors are not living up to their billing and I’m not sure where they would be on the two deep at any other P12 program; by the end of the ASU game – the Seniors are starting to show the needed leadership on the line
First week – is LT the best spot for Irwin, it seems he would be better inside and then put Callahan (who was on the Auburn 2 deep at LT) at LT; by the end of the ASU game – Irwin is at least P12 capable, even if it isn't his natural position
First week – do we need to adjust people around to get better play out of C; by the end of the ASU game – Kelly is better than Handler, let’s see how he continues to develop
End of Season, looking forward to 2015
Nembot – light turned on, and he got better as the season progressed. If he keeps playing at the same level he is an average P12 RT. If he can continue to develop he could be very good in 2015
Irwin – did alright. He is a good player, but probably not a natural LT. If he is the best we have then he is above serviceable. On a bright note, this will be his first off-season to work and develop in a couple years. This could be a big stepping stone for 2015.
Kelly – Started as a Sophomore, and did show improvement as the year went on. He will have two new guards (although he did play with Kough and Kronshage to his left at different points during the year) next to him with a lot less experience. He will have to read the line, and make calls, but has good experience
Filling the two seniors at OG – they did well, but it seems we have some talent to replace them. We have Callahan, Kough Kronshage, Holland, and maybe Lynot if he shows he is godly and can come in and start. There could also be a possibility of someone like Lisella, Callahan, or someone else takes over at LT and Irwin moves inside.
There is some optimism for the line to improve in 2015, as we will be able to fill positions based on competition, which wasn't really the case heading into 2014.
