After Stoops and Kinnard's comments today, can we all agree Luke Fortner is going to start at Center this year? Still betting it will be Kinnard (LT), Horsey/Dotson (LG), Fortner (C), Flax (RG), and Rosenthal (RT).
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I said that would be the exact starting five once Rosenthal became official. Fortner moving to Center was a given IMO.After Stoops and Kinnard's comments today, can we all agree Luke Fortner is going to start at Center this year? Still betting it will be Kinnard (LT), Horsey/Dotson (LG), Fortner (C), Flax (RG), and Rosenthal (RT).
Wilson struggled in spring practice... once they said they were "cross-training" Fortner at Center, the writing was on the wall... you don't cross-train a 6th year player unless you intend to move him there...I'm kind of shocked. I figured that was Wilson's job.
Schlarman was unique in the level of rotation he utilized at one point in his career, but even he was moving away from it in the end. I suspect only Dotson and Horsey will share snaps this year. Absent injury, Fortner, Kinnard and Rosenthal will play every snap except mop-up time. Dotson and Horsey will split 50/50... it will be interesting if Flax goes 100% or splits with someone in tandem with Dotson and Horsey. That would be a move Schlarman would consider. I suspect not, though, because they will be prepping Flax to be a full-time tackle in 2022.If this o line coach is building on what the last did, starting means little. Everybody will get snaps.
Really high on his future for someone that nobody talks much about and didn't have the big offer sheet in high school.Don’t forget Cox he will be in the mix for center !
I heard they were cross training the center spot but I did not hear that Wilson was "struggling". I think they just want to avoid getting caught with their pants down at that spot. If whoever starts the year at center can't go for some reason they want to have a backup plan. It's also possible that they may just think Fortner brings a little more athleticism and experience and they would rather have him in there.Wilson struggled in spring practice... once they said they were "cross-training" Fortner at Center, the writing was on the wall... you don't cross-train a 6th year player unless you intend to move him there...
Good way of looking at itWilson struggled in spring practice... once they said they were "cross-training" Fortner at Center, the writing was on the wall... you don't cross-train a 6th year player unless you intend to move him there...
I missed the quotes. What did Stoops and DK say?After Stoops and Kinnard's comments today, can we all agree Luke Fortner is going to start at Center this year? Still betting it will be Kinnard (LT), Horsey/Dotson (LG), Fortner (C), Flax (RG), and Rosenthal (RT).
Wilson has also played some OG so we can expect to see him there too.I thought Wilson had it tied up?!?
Hell, It’s all about competition: may the best man win!!
Hope we keep ‘em both the whole season.
I do like his future but he and Burton may be fighting each other for spots down the road.Don’t forget Cox he will be in the mix for center !
Dotson
I agree with all this plus I’ll add your trading a 6”1 290 pound lineman for a 6”6 310 pound man. Then your trading out 6”6 310 at RG for a 6”6 335 pound monster in Flax. This makes the line more experienced and huge. I think having Flax at RG helps the athleticism of the line as well.Centers have some leadership roles as the position can see the defensive sets on both sides of the line. Physical requirements may be slightly less at C in terms of body size but more mental. A veteran in this role helps plus the strength Fortner brings on short yardage downs helps. Its a good move as the talent is there at other positions. For Fortner his NFL values is enhanced if he can show he can back up multiple positions. Him at C checks a box.
Wilson struggled in spring practice... once they said they were "cross-training" Fortner at Center, the writing was on the wall... you don't cross-train a 6th year player unless you intend to move him there...
Coach Schlarman was a proponent of his offensive lineman being able to play more than one position on the line. He's the reason we're able to rotate fresh players. Remember when we had a complete second team offensive line at the end of a game, the commentators sure did. He, Coach Scharlman, set the standard, now we just need to continue that tradition. He's responsible for so much of the positive publicity that our team is still getting. There needs to be a AWARD named for him at our University.I heard they were cross training the center spot but I did not hear that Wilson was "struggling". I think they just want to avoid getting caught with their pants down at that spot. If whoever starts the year at center can't go for some reason they want to have a backup plan. It's also possible that they may just think Fortner brings a little more athleticism and experience and they would rather have him in there.
I've always liked the idea of subing out an entire line instead of individual players as the line has to work together as a unit. If the 2s practice together as a unit with the talent we have they can come in and get the job done when needed. In the past we didn't have the depth to do it.Coach Schlarman was a proponent of his offensive lineman being able to play more than one position on the line. He's the reason we're able to rotate fresh players. Remember when we had a complete second team offensive line at the end of a game, the commentators sure did. He, Coach Scharlman, set the standard, now we just need to continue that tradition. He's responsible for so much of the positive publicity that our team is still getting. There needs to be a AWARD named for him at our University.
He will not be playing center according to everything I have read. Someone on this siteDon’t forget Cox he will be in the mix for center !
Weird how that posts without hitting enter.He will not be playing center according to everything I have read. Someone on this site
Me too. Quick & athletic & nasty & made for Center IMOReally high on his future for someone that nobody talks much about and didn't have the big offer sheet in high school.
Bunchy was all of those things, but not made for center. I just hope we have a solid SEC center next year, whether Q or Fortner.Me too. Quick & athletic & nasty & made for Center IMO
In the past we didn't have the depth to do it.
This makes the line more experienced and huge.