Next year's OL

[dyersburgcatfan]

We really seem to be in good shape at the skill positions on offense, assuming no major injuries. So our success will depend largely on how well the big boys do up front.

I, for one, am optimistic that we'll see much improvement there. We looked better in the UL game, and for the most part we'll be a year older. New OC will help too. And if Leary is even a split second quicker at finding the open receiver and delivering the ball, there should be a huge drop off on the sacks allowed, which was one of the major roadblocks to getting our offense moving this year. If you eliminate sacks, get quick completions, and create just a bit of hesitancy on the LBs it makes the OL's job a bit easier.

 

[tf4fun]

LT coxs was a big first step. Now either Flax gets to work, or let Buford take that spot. Burton adding strength along with cox, bowles ect. We should be much firmer up front. The young TE being a year older and another year in the S&C program will help a lot on blocking.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Georgia and UL were both excellent games by the OL. Completely different defenses and both were handled very well. So we were on the upswing there by end of season. I suspect the simplification of the offense paid dividends but we won't know for sure.

As stated getting the LT was giant. That should let horsey come back and play guard. Then rt should be Buford's to win. Flax got all he could out of his talent level but we need Buford to win that position.

 

[secrules3]

I think Flax, with his size could easily be a very good RT as long as we go back to the man power blocking scheme instead of the zone blocking scheme. That wreaked havoc on the entire line including the tackles IMO.

 

[TucsonCat]

Wonder if Horsey shouldn't move to RT.
We have a lot of talent that could fight it out for guard
Buford included.
Maybe Bowles or Keenum could step in at center and move Cox back to guard.

 

[Pickle_Rick]

I'm not as informed as to the nuances of line blocking. Is zone blocking vs man blocking better suited for running as opposed to passing? Does it matter? Would it be a good idea to use both during the game depending on the play call? Or would that be asking for trouble? Too easy for linemen to run the wrong set? Just some yes or no answers will suffice from one of our boffins.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I'm not as informed as to the nuances of line blocking. Is zone blocking vs man blocking better suited for running as opposed to passing? Does it matter? Would it be a good idea to use both during the game depending on the play call? Or would that be asking for trouble? Too easy for linemen to run the wrong set? Just some yes or no answers will suffice from one of our boffins.

Jmo but zone blocking is the dominant scheme in football right now. Varieties are inside zone and outside/wide zone. Inside zone has line fire off and the RB target is anywhere in the tackle box. Wide zone the OL come out laterally with the rb target being tackle box out.

Wide zone advantage is the lateral OL movement. It looks the exact same on run and pass making it impossible for any defender to read run/pass through the usual keys.

 

[gamecockcat]

IMO, Flax' best position would be OG. He just doesn't have the lateral quickness to pass pro against the SEC speed rushers. Got beat a lot and, most of the time, it was by guys just running around him. Also, if he's closer to the C maybe he wouldn't jump offsides so regularly. Just sayin'.

I don't expect Flax to improve much as it's a physical limitation more so than reps/experience/strength. As stated above, he's solid in straight ahead blocking and did some good work when we were running the ball. Pass pro was his Achilles heel.