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2011 Offensive Line Discussion

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BB73

BB73

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Starting guards Boren and Browning are gone, and Mike Adams will miss a few games at the start of the season.
 
Way Too Early Look: 2011 Offensive Line
By TheBuckeyeBattleCry.com

The suspensions go a bit deeper than that for the offensive line... indirectly. With a new QB, inexperienced receivers, and a deep and talented backfield, the trenches will become even more important than usual for the Buckeyes.

Whether it is protecting an inexperienced QB for an extra second or opening holes for dynamic young runners, the offensive line will be the crucial group of players that can get the team through the suspensions without a loss.

Here's a look at those players.

continued...
Click to expand...
 
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Are we looking at a 2011 Buckeye team that is barely able to fill a 2-deep at O-line with scholarship players?

If I?m correct, we have 7 returning scholarship linemen (Brewster, Shugarts, Hall, Norwell, Mewhort, Linsley and Blankenship (listed as DL for the Sugar Bowl)) plus Adams who will be missing the first few games. Add to the mix Bobek, Brown and Underwood to fill things out.

I?m guessing that both incoming freshmen and walk-on players will get some serious work this spring. Is there any thought that we might move players to O-line from other positions? Add a juco transfer or two? Find a couple more highschool kids who did not sign an LOI?

I think it will be very interesting going into the 2011 season.
 
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Depth will be thin, but I think Farris, Fregal, Bennett could step up if need be at an OL spot next year. Blankenship moved to DL last year, not sure if he will move back now. The oline will be just fine as long as they stay healthy. Kyle Kalis in 2012 has the skill to step in and start as a freshman. We will have a great OLine class in 2012 and everything will be just fine.
 
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Go Bucks!!! said:
Are we looking at a 2011 Buckeye team that is barely able to fill a 2-deep at O-line with scholarship players?

If I?m correct, we have 7 returning scholarship linemen (Brewster, Shugarts, Hall, Norwell, Mewhort, Linsley and Blankenship (listed as DL for the Sugar Bowl)) plus Adams who will be missing the first few games. Add to the mix Bobek, Brown and Underwood to fill things out.

I?m guessing that both incoming freshmen and walk-on players will get some serious work this spring. Is there any thought that we might move players to O-line from other positions? Add a juco transfer or two? Find a couple more highschool kids who did not sign an LOI?

I think it will be very interesting going into the 2011 season.
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That's a great question. I think we see a guy like Baldwin or Durham, with the frame they have and coming from a position of projected depth on the D-Line, possibly transitioning to the Offensive line. I think the nice thing for the 3 OL guys coming in is that they will be able to see playing time right away. Though I think red-shirting is often needed on the O-line, nothing beats getting game day experience. All 3 have the physical frame to play next year, but they need to go through tOSU S&C regime to become real in-line players.

The 2 guys we lose (or never had to begin with) today will open up 2 more opportunities for the 2012 class or for guys on the team to transfer to the position and find some playing time.
 
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If you expand the discussion to 2012 I have never seen an OL depth chart decimated the way ours will be this year and next.

The official site lists 18 OL on the current roster. Counting Longo 11 of those depart this year and next (even a relocated Blankenship would leave after next season). The seven remaining include 3 Freshman walk-ons.

With the loss of Walker and potentially Carter our incoming class has gone from five to three. And while these three look solid they certainly don't fall under the heading of "cant miss" - not at a position as hard to project as OL. In 2012 we will be looking for them to contribute as RS Frosh. Contribution at that level from OL is the exception, not the rule. And moving DL and TE to OL (by necessity rather than choice) is not the stuff of which NC's are made.

I don't mean to sound alarmist, but the skill with which JT has managed depth across the board has spoiled me. This season and last our OL depth has been as good as I can recall. Now, not so much.

JUCO
 
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Is the reason for Longo leaving specified in his thread?? I'm about to go check, but he would be starting here after next year. Not sure why he's leaving. He could have been a huge help.

Not quite sure how we let this happen.... But I trust the coaching staff.
 
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GeorgiaBuck2;1868115; said:
I am confident we will land enough lineman next year. There are some very good prospects and the staff is already sending out offers to various tackles.
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Out of necessity I'm sure OSU will land a good OL class 2012. The question is how comfortable are they going to be starting true freshmen, if need be, especially at LT? I wouldn't be overly confident w/ that situation. Also who is going to fill in for Adams at LT while he is suspended? Norwell? Kick Brewster out there like they did w/ Cordle a couple years ago?

I know this discussion has already been had but I wish OSU recruited a little deeper at OL. I know Tressel's philosophy is that OL lack versatility to play other positions but it's also probably the position most susceptible to injury. It's also questionable how well OSU developes their OL while they're here. One way to improve that is to have a 3 deep at each position and let the kids compete. If you've got 1 or 2 guys constantly barking at your heels you're more likely to play your tail off if you want to keep that starting spot.
 
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Mangold & Sims contributed significantly as Freshman. Brewster significantly....Shugarts a bit? if I'm recalling correctly. Marcus Hall last year ('09) too.

It's not ideal, but if we get a good - great OL class out of next year's recruits (and can stay reasonably healthy within our 2 deep) I'm not too worried.

2012 recruiting class will be interesting to watch develope.
 
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Love JT but if there has been one weakness during his tenure it is a lack of recruiting and performing on the oline, especially tackle. If you ask me it has more to do with depth and talent than coaching. Not having a quality 2 deep on the online in the next few years is a roll of the dice. What if a few OT`s get hurt? The staff seems to be scrambling again with a late project offer. Not sure if Walker would have helped at Tackle, but most of our issues seem to revolve around talent and depth at the OT spot. Hope we stay healthy...Norwell is a good one and Hall seemed to be coming along....but what do we have after those guys. Go Bucks
 
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