Offensive Line Discussion

Submitted by Big_H on

I know we have beat this horse to death in the spring.. Then again in Fall camp. I would just like to get some discussion going about the offensive line and who will be starting where by November. Also some predictions for 2015 starting line since everyone should be returning and it will make for some fierce battles for the starting 5.

 

Let me give you a few things to think about first.

  • We played pretty damn well up front in the first game this year, against what is probably a bad App St. team. Nonetheless, we still played better than most of us probably was thinking going into the game.
  • Graham Glasgow.. renowned as the best returning lineman for 2014. He is done with his suspension and should be looking to get back into the line-up this week vs. ND. BUT, at what position do the coaches play him at? LG, RG, C??
  • Kyle Kalis.. Thought he played well after taking over for Joey Burzinski and really helped our run game take off. I think him behind Burzinski was either for motivation or because he was limited all fall camp and the coaches wanted to reward Burzinski with all his hard work and dedication.
  • The latest MgoVideo and also Fall practice had Glasgow playing at RG, and RT in the spring. Could this be the indication that the coaches "really do" believe in Miller at the center position? and that miller has really shown he can compete at this level, unlike the last couple years. I would find that as really great news, as I been rooting for him all along. Always liked Miller's smaller stature and hoped for Molk 2.0 to break out of him.
  • Mason Cole is good, but his youth will get exploited at some point this season. Magnuson was supposed to be the answer at LT, was said that is where he feels most comfortable. His body to me says I'm more built for tackle than guard.
  • Kyle Bosch.. One of the guardiest of guards I've seen..Big, strong, looks like a senior, but mentally he is far behind. Hoping for the rare sophmore redshirt.

 

So after reading the bullets and getting some thoughts brewing, what do you guys think about who should start? It seems after last week we would all want Kalis on the field, definitely just to show us he will be the star we all want him to be. Where do you put him though if Glasgow is playing RG, and he is too good to be on the sideline? Move Mags to LT, Kalis to LG seems reasonable, but damn we now just burnt Cole's redshirt.

It's madness trying to think of what could happen on the line. I do know one thing though. It sure is nice having all these bodies to plug in. I just want a starting 5 that isn't flip flopping around. I want cohesion and that won't happen until these guys settle at a position.

 

Ready for some more fun?

 

This was the real reason I started the post. I wanted to ask predictions for the 2015 starting line. We will have loads of experience and upperclass lineman, but still won't be able to pin point who will be where. I know, I know, There is still the whole 2014 season to be played and VERY MUCH to learn. If you don't want to predict anything or talk about it then leave your snarky comments off this thread and find something else to do.

 

Fall camp of 2015 is about to begin.. Jack Miller just played a very decent, but not dominant 2014 season. Mason Cole made history, got stronger, got experience, Mags is back, Kalis is back, Glasgow is back, Braden played well and is back. Kugler is vying for time at center. WHAT WILL THE COACHES DO?! Obviously, it will be the best players will play, but there shouldn't be too much doubt on who plays where by next August.

My question is who do you want where? This question becomes very hard when/if Jack Miller does a great job and holds down center this year. I guess we will just have to move to a 6 man line to get more bodies in. It will amke you insane trying to predict any of this, but it's a slow day and I want to hear what some of you guys are thinking.

 

mGrowOld

September 3rd, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^

"I know we have beat this horse to death in the spring.. Then again in Fall camp. "

 

And then a little bit this morning.

And then again yesterday.

And the day before that.

And the day before that.

And the day before that.

And the day before that.

And the day before that........

turd ferguson

September 3rd, 2014 at 4:24 PM ^

I have many more questions than answers, but my suspicion is that the top six are fairly settled: Cole, Magnuson, Miller, Kalis, Braden, and Glasgow.  I don't think we'll have a traditional two-deep with a different backup at each position but rather than if one of the starting five gets hurt, the sixth will come in (whoever that is) and they'll reshuffle accordingly.  For this reason, I agree with Brian that burning Bosch's possible sophomore redshirt - as rare as those are - seems like a mistake. 

What I'd love to know is how Cole and Magnuson compare at LT.  If the coaches believe Magnuson is the better LT but they had to move him to LG because they disliked the other options at LG, then I think Glasgow's return could push Magnuson out to tackle and Cole to that first reserve spot.  On the other hand, if the coaches believe that Cole is just a better LT than Magnuson right now, then I doubt that Cole is going anywhere.  To me, that's the key question.  I'm inclined to believe the buzz that the coaches think Miller is a much better player (or fit) this year at C than he was last year.

As for 2015, I have no idea.  I'd imagine the same goes for the coaches.

Big_H

September 3rd, 2014 at 4:28 PM ^

First off.. Thanks for actaully discussing the post and not adding rude comments like all these other guys.

I agree with your thoughts about Cole/Mags, that is something that I wish i knew also. There is so many questions. I would love to watch a few practices each year, so I had a better opinion on things. Spring game and fall open practices most likely don't tell us these kind of things.

bluebyyou

September 3rd, 2014 at 4:13 PM ^

OP, I know you mean well, and I would not downvote you  as you put a lot of effort into your post.  I simply have nothing left to give on this topic.

Schembo

September 3rd, 2014 at 4:22 PM ^

I think Glasgow finishes his career at Center, so I don't think the line changes at all next year. The only change I can see is if Magnuson struggles in the run game, thereby moving outside to LT and opening up the LG spot for Bosch, Dawson or whoever.

Reader71

September 3rd, 2014 at 4:49 PM ^

Cole, Magnuson, Miller, Kalis, Braden. If a T goes down, Magnuson bumps out and Glasgow comes in. If a G/C goes out, Glasgow replaces him. Every team prepares 7-8 guys to play, so Bosch doesn't red shirt.

2015: Magnuson, Cole, Miller, Kalis, Braden. Bosch is the backup G, Glasgow backup T, Kugler backup C.

BlueNation

September 3rd, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^

As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, our O-Line paved the way for 2 rushers with over 115 yards. Yes, it was against an over-matched Appalachian State team, but nonetheless, we looked good. I say make Glasgow come off the bench and give some guys a breather when needed. Kalis looked outstanding at RG and Cole did really well as LT for a true Freshman. Yes, he gave up the lone sack, but he will learn and improve. If they want to bring in Glasgow as a starter, I would probably replace Braden at RT. He didn't do a bad job, but of the 5 starters, he's the first I would replace.

JimBobFreedom

September 3rd, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^

It all boils down to three options 1)Glasgow sits and they play the same line 2) Glasgow replaces miller or 3) Glasgow replaces Magnuson at guard and Magnuson moves to left tackle replacing cole. Done.

Big_H

September 3rd, 2014 at 5:35 PM ^

Sorry guys I know this post was probably useless. I knew the whole time while typing it I would get a lot of Negs from ppl who can't resist to just move on when they don't want to see something.

 

I was just bored at work and couldn't stop thinking about what the o-line will look like this year and next. So, I thought I'd get some discussion going, but I should have just waited it out. My Bad.

Well, maybe next time!! haha

JimBobFreedom

September 3rd, 2014 at 6:45 PM ^

I didn't down vote your post for the simple reason I too once wrote an insanely long post that I believed in. It was before the 2010 big 10 season and I went off about how we couldn't possibly win playing a 3 3 5 defense. I got destroyed for it, and then Msu and Iowa proved my point. Not much of a consolation. However, I have come to learn that the vast majority of people do not take long posts seriously. Especially here. Why? Because they didn't write your post.

wolverinebutt

September 3rd, 2014 at 5:42 PM ^

Naw, I'm not talking about Kate Upton and up front.  The OL starts it all on O.

Mason Cole stays at left tackle unless is gets injuried or melts down.  They would not burn his red shirt lightly. 

Glasgow to center and Miller is backup at C only.  I like Miller, but we need Glasgow's size, power and battle experience. 

We roll with the tackles and center.  I think LG & RG is where we will see a change on bye week if they don't perform at a very good level. . 

If Kalis doesn't put it together they are to stop begging him to sieze LG and find another. 

Mags does not have a guard body.  He better play his butt off and beef up in the off season. 

After the season ends we will mostly have someone or two transfer for playing time.  If you last this whole season starting that player will be almost impossible to unseat barring a melt down or major injury.     

JimBobFreedom

September 3rd, 2014 at 6:55 PM ^

Given what I've seen so far, I wouldn't change the line at all. Miller was getting tithe second level, Kalis was destroying mofos, and Braden is enormous. I didn't see too many mistakes on pass blocking from the left side either. Also we didn't have that many, if any, false start penalties. Given the cohesion this group will already have from this opening game, I think it would be a mistake to bring in glass anywhere except shared duty at right guard. Also, Bosch is temporarily, if not permanently, out of the picture.

MBloGlue

September 3rd, 2014 at 8:01 PM ^

Glasgow lost his starting job because of his off the field performance. Miller and Kalis looked good in Glasgow's absence, and as far as I'm concerned, they are now the starters -- until their performance dictates otherwise. One of the consequences of doing stupid shit is that you may get passed on the depth chart, which is what happened here.