2010 tOSU Offensive Line Discussion

[Buckskin86]

The most interesting thing today was not that Andrew Miller was working at first-team left tackle. We already figured that he would rotate some with Mike Adams.

The fun came when offensive line coach Jim Bollman was asked about the spot, and he immediately volunteered that four players would be rotating in and out of left tackle this spring: Adams, Miller, J.B. Shugarts and Marcus Hall. The latter two played strictly on the right side last year.

I asked if the phrase "wide open" was too strong to use when talking about left tackle and Bollman said, no, wide open was probably fair to say. He went on to make it clear he would play the best player at the spot, period, pointing out that he's had walk-ons play for him before, which I took to mean that a highly hyped player (such as Adams) does not have a built-in advantage, at least not any more.

I should have mentioned that with Miller at left tackle and Shugarts at right, it was interesting to see the second-team line, featuring Hall at left tackle and Adams at right tackle.

Also on the second-team line, Corey Linsley replaced Jack Mewhort today at center, with Mewhort swapping places with Linsley and going to right guard. Bollman said afterward he needs to have two players step up and be viable backups to center Mike Brewster, so they're working Mewhort and Linsley at the spot.

Practice No. 2: Left tackle intrigue (Blogging the Buckeyes)

 

[Taosman]

It was said at one point last year that Marcus Hall was already the best pass blocker. We'll see if Hall forces his way into starting time at LT. He plays with an attitude and the coaches love that.

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU football: It's a four-way tie at left tackle
Adams, Miller, Hall, Shugarts all have a shot at playing time, line coach says
Saturday, April 3, 2010
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

With two answers yesterday, Ohio State offensive line coach Jim Bollman completely jumbled what once seemed a pretty clear situation at left tackle.

First, Bollman doubled the number of players competing for the job. Michael Adams and Andrew Miller now have company at the spot.

"There's four guys that will play at left tackle before the spring is over, OK?" Bollman said after the Buckeyes completed their second practice of the spring. "Michael Adams, Andrew Miller, Marcus Hall and J.B. Shugarts. All of them are going to play on the left side at different times, (and) we'll just keep rolling those guys throughout there until we feel like we're settled."

OSU football: It's a four-way tie at left tackle | BuckeyeXtra

Spring Practice Insider: Left Side Wide Open
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS ? It was only day two of Ohio State?s spring practice but already some theories from day were being debunked right before our eyes Friday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

After spending almost the entire first practice working as the first-team left tackle Thursday, junior Mike Adams found himself repping with the second group Friday?at right tackle. Senior Andrew Miller spent the day working with the first group at left tackle after backup up Adams on day one, while sophomore Marcus Hall got his feet wet on the left side of the line as the No. 2 tackle.

With everyone still in shorts and shells (shoulder pads and helmets), it was impossible to gauge who outperformed who on the offensive line, but after practice offensive coordinator Jim Bollman spoke on the nature of the battle for the starting left tackle spot vacated by Jim Cordle.

?I?d say it?s wide open,? said Bollman, who works closest with the centers and guards.

The-Ozone, Ohio State Football, Wrestling, Softball, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball and More

 

[Buckskin86]

Buckeyes loaded on offensive line
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

COLUMBUS - A crowd is a bad thing if you are seventh in line at the post office and it is five minutes before closing time. A crowd is also a bad thing if they have just 15 iPads at Best Buy, and you are the 27th person through the door at opening.

On the contrary, a crowd is a good thing if you are a football coach taking inventory of your offensive linemen. Ohio State has a horde of talented and capable players battling it out this spring for the five positions on the line, and even the normally stoic and guarded Jim Bollman, the Buckeyes' offensive line coach, has trouble hiding the wonderful predicament his cache of linemen presents.

"It's evident that there are a lot of guys who have some experience - seven to be specific," Bollman said after a recent Ohio State practice. "And then you add a couple guys that we redshirted who look like they have some potential. Yeah, we could have a chance, barring injury and unforeseen circumstances, to have a little depth."

toledoblade.com -- The Blade ~ Toledo Ohio

Blindside Up for Grabs
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS — It has been called the second-most important position on the football field, but one look across NFL rosters would say it’s a lot harder to find a great left tackle than a great quarterback, despite the fact a tackle’s worth is directly tied to the player he is sworn to protect.

For Ohio State, that prized commodity is Terrelle Pryor.

One player does not make a team, but the Buckeyes' success in 2010 is undoubtedly linked to the play of their junior quarterback fresh off his MVP performance in the Rose Bowl. The big question for OSU as they opened camp this past Thursday was who would be protecting Mr. Pryor.

“We'll have four guys play at left tackle before spring is out. Michael Adams, Marcus Hall, Andrew Miller and J. B. Shugarts, all of them will play on the left side at different times,” Offensive Coordinator and line coach Jim Bollman said.

“We'll just keep rolling those guys though out there until we feel like we're settled in there doing what we want to do, but it's nice that we have four guys that have some experience and we'll see how things evolve.”

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/2010/springcamp/blindside.htm

 

[cincibuck]

Having taken shots at Bollman in the past, let me say that he managed to patch together quite an O-line following the embarrassment in the Coliseum in 08. The running game came alive again. Maybe this year we could see something akin to Minnesota's twin 1K rushers from a few seasons back -- were it not for Pryor's rushes and passing that is.

Herron and Saine must be lickin' their chops.

 

[Buckeneye]

Maybe this year we could see something akin to Minnesota's twin 1K rushers from a few seasons back -- .

Not a knock on Saine or Boom, but I'm not quite sure that duo is comparable to Maroney and Barber - that was a pretty fine backfield.

 

[pnuts34]

Not a knock on Saine or Boom, but I'm not quite sure that duo is comparable to Maroney and Barber - that was a pretty fine backfield.

Yeah Boom and Zoom aren't nowhere near the talent of Maroney and Barber, both 1st round picks. Neither of our guys will get drafted that high. And I'd probably put Berry or Hyde over Boom by the end of the season. But whoever's running the ball will be behind a very improved OL. Reading about our depth is just making me salivate, and to think next year our depth won't even fall off

 

[IronBuckI]

Yeah Boom and Zoom aren't nowhere near the talent of Maroney and Barber, both 1st round picks. Neither of our guys will get drafted that high. And I'd probably put Berry or Hyde over Boom by the end of the season. But whoever's running the ball will be behind a very improved OL. Reading about our depth is just making me salivate, and to think next year our depth won't even fall off

Barber was a 4th round pick.

 

[FrancisSoyer]

Yeah Boom and Zoom aren't nowhere near the talent of Maroney and Barber, both 1st round picks. Neither of our guys will get drafted that high. And I'd probably put Berry or Hyde over Boom by the end of the season. But whoever's running the ball will be behind a very improved OL. Reading about our depth is just making me salivate, and to think next year our depth won't even fall off

Why? Neither have proven anything at this point. If they are head and shoulders above Boom this season on the field then I agree.

 

[pnuts34]

Why? Neither have proven anything at this point. If they are head and shoulders above Boom this season on the field then I agree.

I guess I'm basing it off of potential. Boom is a decent RB, and he's proven he's a good backup the past few years. He's not an elite RB that is a starter. And who knows, Berry and Hyde may not be either, but we don't know that yet. Boom has been a proven RB to pick up blitzes and come into the game as a "fresh pair of legs", but he doesn't do anything spectacular. He's a guy that scouts would say, does a lot of things good/decent but nothing great. Berry could provide great speed and elusiveness and Hyde could provide great power. I preface both of those statements with COULD. Not a knock to Boom at all, but if we have several RBs who do somethings great, that might warrant a little more carries. But that's why we have spring practice, to sort this stuff out, and the season as well

 

[Meyer]

Not a knock on Saine or Boom, but I'm not quite sure that duo is comparable to Maroney and Barber - that was a pretty fine backfield.

Yea, but Minny didn't have a line like were going to have. And it won't happen anyways because we have Pryor, and a stable full of other running backs. Could they do it if all we had was Saine and Boom to generate any offense? Yea probably with this line.

 

[Buckin Crazy]

I think the talk during spring and summer workouts will be the emergence of Marcus Hall. I think he is going to gain a lot of playing time at LT.

 

[cincibuck]

Yea, but Minny didn't have a line like were going to have. And it won't happen anyways because we have Pryor, and a stable full of other running backs. Could they do it if all we had was Saine and Boom to generate any offense? Yea probably with this line.

Exactly what I was thinking. One of them is bound to gain a K because one of them is going to emerge as the bell cow.

I think it's Saine because he's such a good receiver. It's clear that the end of last year was the first time he'd been healthy since his freshman year.

My concerns for this team come down to: 1) Keeping Pryor healthy 2) finding a second and third receiver, especially one who can get deep.

 

[Taosman]

If you have 4 left tackles, doesn't that mean you have "none"? :tongue2:

 

[cincibuck]

If you have 4 left tackles, doesn't that mean you have "none"? :tongue2:

No, it means you have three more guys who can play right tackle and/or center if the need arises, unlike having four right tackles. Oh and at least one who can become a tight end for The Game, helping to extend The Streak.