2009 tOSU Offensive Line Discussion (official thread)

[Merih]

I think Duane was a tad bit harsh on Miller but I agree with everything else. Browning is going to be a starter at RG, Boren at LG, not sure whether Cordle will play tackle or center, Shugarts starts LT, and Adams starts at RT if Cordle doesn't. I am not as concerned as Duane because he failed to mention the patchwork on the OL. I think we have some real talent, especially on the interior, plus Shugarts is going to be a big upgrade.

What about Brewster?

 

[ant80]

I think Duane was a tad bit harsh on Miller but I agree with everything else. Browning is going to be a starter at RG, Boren at LG, not sure whether Cordle will play tackle or center, Shugarts starts LT, and Adams starts at RT if Cordle doesn't. I am not as concerned as Duane because he failed to mention the patchwork on the OL. I think we have some real talent, especially on the interior, plus Shugarts is going to be a big upgrade.

What about Brewster?

Beat me to it.

If Browning takes the RG and Cordle takes the RT, that leaves Brewster in the middle. If Cordle takes the center, that would put Brewster in the RG position, and JB or Browning at RT.

Also, it occurred to me that all the hype that JB has been getting is from recruiting. We haven't seen much of him that wasn't injured at all. It seems dangerous to have to depend on him for OL production. I REALLY hope JB steps up, but if he doesn't, that really scares me.

 

[RB07OSU]

What about Brewster?

Well he is likely going to be a starter and a good one. I just don't know where, though I think it is center. However, Cordle is pretty tough at center but that would leave one of Brew or Browning out of the starting lineup. Imo, everything hinges on Adams development. If he keeps progressing, my guess is:
LT: Shugarts
LG: Boren
C: Cordle
RG: Browning
RT: Adams

If he doesn't progress, almost the entire OL gets switched around imo:
LT: Shugarts
LG: Boren
C: Brewster
RG: Browning
RT: Cordle

Also, it occurred to me that all the hype that JB has been getting is from recruiting. We haven't seen much of him that wasn't injured at all. It seems dangerous to have to depend on him for OL production. I REALLY hope JB steps up, but if he doesn't, that really scares me.

Not sure about that...he was outstanding in practice and was going to start over Browning before he got hurt. Beyond that, what game time he got he looked excellent in. I still have the games on DVR where I watch him and think "JB may be the best OL out there." He also looked superb in last years spring game. I do agree we really need him to come back from his injury in top form because he is the best true tackle we have at this point imo.

 

[jwinslow]

They are not benching Brewster for Cordle. Brew might move, but he's not leaving the field.

However, Cordle is pretty tough at center

Not sure I agree with you there. It's his best position, though.

 

[Merih]

I see...my vote goes for this:

RT:Shugarts/Browning*
RG:Cordle/Browning*
C:Brew
LG:Boren
LT:Adams/Miller

*Browning alternates into positions of need to give wind and to split time

I expect a back or a tight end to stay in on the left tackles side to help out unless the situation is solidified in the fall before games start. The interior of the line should be solid though.

 

[RB07OSU]

They are not benching Brewster for Cordle. Brew might move, but he's not leaving the field.Not sure I agree with you there. It's his best position, though.

My opinion is that I would rather have Brewster in than Cordle, but I just wondered if the coaches would give the start to someone else over a senior leader in Cordle? I thought Rehring and Person were our big problems on the interior last year, not Cordle. Regardless, I think Browning, Brewster, and Boren gives us our best interior.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

LT- Adams
LG- Boren
C- Brewster
RG- Browning
RT- Shugarts

If Cordle comes in, put him at C and rotate Brewster into the guard spots.

This all hinges on Adams' development.

 

[NightmaresDad]

Cordle has started for the last tow years, and God bless him, but seriously, who did he have to beat out to play?
We've literally been scraping by to get 5 decent linemen out there the last 2 seasons, and it has shown.
I don't see a compelling reason why either Cordle or Browning "have" to start anywhere on the line this year.

Shugarts is absolutely a cut above those guys and a starter - if he is healthy this summer and fall.
Adams looked way better than Miller in the limited amount of the spring game that I saw.

Brewster, Boren, and Shugarts simply have to start, and hopefully whichever of Browning or Cordle are playing isn't because we had to settle for them as the "least bad" option - which as I said was apparent last 2 years.

 

[akronbuck]

Cordle has started for the last tow years, and God bless him, but seriously, who did he have to beat out to play?
We've literally been scraping by to get 5 decent linemen out there the last 2 seasons, and it has shown.
I don't see a compelling reason why either Cordle or Browning "have" to start anywhere on the line this year.

Shugarts is absolutely a cut above those guys and a starter - if he is healthy this summer and fall.
Adams looked way better than Miller in the limited amount of the spring game that I saw.

Brewster, Boren, and Shugarts simply have to start, and hopefully whichever of Browning or Cordle are playing isn't because we had to settle for them as the "least bad" option - which as I said was apparent last 2 years.

great post. Same thoughts. The O-LINE scares me and we won't know until, the first game. My friends/older players were telling me, if the line shows up in a positve way then, we can think about a shot at a TITLE if not, :(

 

[Taosman]

Time to pull out last years Spring Game and check out Shug again. It's scary we're putting so much on him. I wonder if the coaches feel the same?
Bohlman likes Cordle at RT and Brew at center. Probably a better combo.
Still, this looks like a better O line to me. And if Boren can rub off on them!

 

[ysubuck]

Cordle has started for the last tow years, and God bless him, but seriously, who did he have to beat out to play?
We've literally been scraping by to get 5 decent linemen out there the last 2 seasons, and it has shown.
I don't see a compelling reason why either Cordle or Browning "have" to start anywhere on the line this year.

Shugarts is absolutely a cut above those guys and a starter - if he is healthy this summer and fall.
Adams looked way better than Miller in the limited amount of the spring game that I saw.

Brewster, Boren, and Shugarts simply have to start, and hopefully whichever of Browning or Cordle are playing isn't because we had to settle for them as the "least bad" option - which as I said was apparent last 2 years.

This is the thing I keep coming back to.

Why is this happening? Is OL that hard to project from HS to college? I thought that Connor Smith would be an All American at Ohio State. Now he's not even in the two deep.

 

[NFBuck]

Time to pull out last years Spring Game and check out Shug again. It's scary we're putting so much on him. I wonder if the coaches feel the same?
Bohlman likes Cordle at RT and Brew at center. Probably a better combo.
Still, this looks like a better O line to me. And if Boren can rub off on them!

 

[RB07OSU]

This is the thing I keep coming back to.

Why is this happening? Is OL that hard to project from HS to college? I thought that Connor Smith would be an All American at Ohio State. Now he's not even in the two deep.

Yes. However, schools like Penn State and Oklahoma always seem to scout and develop a good OL. I tend to think we have failed to develop our OL talent personally, because players like Olivea have stepped it up in the league after not getting much notice at OSU.

 

[GomerBucks]

I think Duane was a tad bit harsh on Miller but I agree with everything else. Browning is going to be a starter at RG, Boren at LG, not sure whether Cordle will play tackle or center, Shugarts starts LT, and Adams starts at RT if Cordle doesn't. I am not as concerned as Duane because he failed to mention the patchwork on the OL. I think we have some real talent, especially on the interior, plus Shugarts is going to be a big upgrade.

I am still trying to figure out how or why everyone thinks Shugarts is so much better than other guys we have. No one has really seen him play yet. While I know he will be good if he stays healthy and keeps his focus where it belongs, he hasn't done anything in front of the public that would make him better than Adams, BB, or Miller.

I think Miller has a great chance to be very solid. Now that he is getting used to the larger frame, his athleticism he brought with him from the TE room gives him a great shot to be a good option.

Boren does have a nasty streak, and even last year during bowl practice, he turned it on and started blowing people off the ball. VERY IMPRESSIVE

The great thing about Cordle is that wherever he plays on this line, he knows the line calls and playbook better than the rest and will be able to help everyone next to him. Hopefully, he can keep his feet a little more. (there is a drinking game on campus where every time Cordle hits the ground, drink..) He is still awesome even with the dirtiest uniform award..

All in all, with this speculation at least people have the right names in place for who will be in the mix.

MY prediction for our front 5 when we open the season:

Adams, Boren, Brewster, BB/Cordle, Cordle/Shugarts

Take it with a grain of salt, though, I am not with the program anymore...

 

[RB07OSU]

I am still trying to figure out how or why everyone thinks Shugarts is so much better than other guys we have. No one has really seen him play yet.

He looked great in the spring game last year, was going to take over Bryant Browning's spot before he got hurt, and looked great in action in the games he played in...as a true freshman. I am highly optimistic about him if he is fully healed from his surgery and gets back with the pace of the game.