2009 Offensive Line
I've been wondering just how improved the offensive line this year could potentially be. I'm not terribly optimistic, but the line started to look a lot better near the end of the year -- even if there were converted defensive linemen starting, they at least have a season worth of experience now (if nothing else). Schilling is due to have a breakout season.
What I'm really wondering, though, is about some of the more highly-touted recruits we've had the past few years and what they're capable of. Dan O'Neill was very, very highly rated coming out of school, but I'd heard that he's extremely raw and might even need another year before he even sees the field. I know absolutely nothing about Mealer, and I'd heard that Omaneh is likely to see the field before either of them, which is a surprise.
What do you guys think/have you heard anything/etc?
February 19th, 2009 at 6:48 PM ^
I don't think we need to worry much about the offensive line this year. They jelled at the end of the year, and they will be even better this year. I expect to see the same line again this year, and it will contain two fifth-year seniors (Ortmann, Moosman), a three-year starter (Schilling), our best or second-best lineman from last year (Molk), and Ferrara, who improved a lot throughout the year. I think our offensive line will be pretty darn good next year. If someone like Barnum breaks into the lineup, that's even better news, because he'll have to beat out a guy who was productive toward the end of last year.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:51 PM ^
They'll be improved but I believe that some of them have hit their ceiling. It's an interesting conundrum; do the coaches stick with the experienced guys who have limited potential (Ortmann, McAvoy, Molk), but they do bring in the guys with less experience but more potential (Barnum, O'Neil, Khoury, Omameh)? Barnum and Khoury seems like the two OL prospects who'll push for playing time at LG and C, respectively. O'Neil is believed to be a year away from contributing.
February 19th, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
WOTS is that Barnum might turn out to be a tackle.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:16 PM ^
Might they move Schilling inside and Barnum to right tackle?
February 19th, 2009 at 11:26 PM ^
Here's the potential offensive line/position battles I've heard of:
LT - Barnum/Ortmann
LG - Moosman/Ferrara
C - Molk
RG - Schilling/Barnum
RT - Omameh/Dorrestein/Schilling
It sounds like there's a very good chance that Schilling will move inside (to which side, I don't know). Either way, he'll start.
Molk is pretty much a lock to start at center.
Moosman will probably start at one of the guard positions.
The tackle positions are the ones that are up for grabs. If the redshirt freshmen break into the starting lineup, it will probably be at tackle. It sounds like Barnum could play guard or left tackle, and Omameh could play either tackle if they can displace last year's starters.
Obviously, it's very fluid. But the three "guarantees" to start are Molk, Schilling, and Moosman.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:38 AM ^
Thanks, Magnus. It's pretty exciting to think about those RS Freshmen pushing for playing time because it means that we will have real competition and depth along the line--both of which we utterly lacked last year. Frey looks like an excellent position coach and with the talent that has come in (or will come in) with the last two classes, this could evolve to become a real strength of the team.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:13 PM ^
They redshirted six OL's last year. Surely they will provide some depth and maybe even unseat a starter or two as the season progresses.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:05 AM ^
This right here is where the difference is made in us going to a bowl game or not. If these guys can protect Forcier long enough for him to throw the bubble screens and WR-in-space-50-yards-after-the-catch runs, thats 7 or 8 wins right there. I know there isn't a Braylon in our WR corps. But these guys can be seriously deadly with their raw speed.