JT4104

August 14th, 2014 at 2:16 PM ^

Reading tea leaves it seems like the inside spots yet again are the spots up for grabs. I'd wager Mags ends up at LG. Which leaves C/RG as the open spots assuming Cole starts at LT which seems to be happening.

I will start clenching now but still be happy that these kids will be running the same damn scheme week after week this season.

Blue in Seattle

August 14th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^

Mags is the leader in experience, so putting him next to Cole helps train Cole to be his LT backup better than putting someone who is trying to learn LG.  Everything in the Inside/Outside Zone scheme primers indicated that the repetitions are required because the secret sauce is combo blocking and the timing and decision making involved in executing those against the variation of defensive formations/shifts.

I think this whole "experimention" has just been to increase reps for all such that any backups aren't coming in cold.  It increases risk to the starters for "gelling" and honing their skills, but that has been part of Hoke's strategic approach since he arrived.  Everyone has forgotten how much he had to restate that he wanted rotation on the DL and that's why he wouldn't name a solid starting lineup for that group.  Yet the first season went pretty much as expected with Mike Martin staying in almost 100% of the time, same with Ryan Van Bergen.

They know the starting 5, but they aren't betting everything on the starting 5.

I dumped the Dope

August 14th, 2014 at 8:45 PM ^

I would also think that by shuffling around you also learn what the guy next to you is seeing, doing, perhaps it makes a given player better.  It would seem to be a crash course in the strategy of making the blocks work, using team work.  By understanding your fellow guy's assignment it should theoretically make you better at your own position, knowing who's got who in a critical second or two.  Nothing like having that understanding by seeing the field thru that vantage point.

Double-D

August 14th, 2014 at 6:10 PM ^

He was the one position where a guy with experience did not lead. He is a huge kid with good athleticism. I think the other spots are likely very competitive and performing well. Cole is in the mix because he is good IMO. Not because they need Mags at guard. The best 5. This gives me confidence.

HipsterCat

August 14th, 2014 at 3:01 PM ^

only if we start out in nickel on defense.

I would bet mags gets the start at LT  unless Cole has been the next coming of jake long in practice (even he redshirted soooooo). If they are gonna burn his redshirt this season, hopefully he can replaces mags in the 3rd quarter if the game is in hand

mgobaran

August 14th, 2014 at 2:23 PM ^

LT - Cole

LG - Magnuson

C - Miller/Glasgow

RG - Glasgow/Kalis/Bosch/Fox/Dawson/Burzynski/Peppers

RT - Braden

 

Looks like a good OL to me. But only if all 7 guys can play RG at the same time.

WolvinLA2

August 14th, 2014 at 4:22 PM ^

You can run plays out of that formation. You can run to the strong side, but the as will be looking for that with the TE covered. You're not hiding anything that way. Your other option is to throw out of that, keeping the TE in to max protect. Send both wideouts deep, keep one back in to block and let the other slip into the flat as a safety valve. Not a bad play, especially if the D is thinking run.

WolvinLA2

August 14th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^

You can play with 10 guys, but if that WR2 isn't on the LOS (and it's hard to tell if he is or not) then you've got illegal procedure for only having 6 guys on the LOS. If he is on the line, your TE is ineligible.

I'm a first year HS football official, so this stuff is on my brain lately.

aplatypus

August 14th, 2014 at 2:23 PM ^

If Braden is at least named as starting RT right now, that should be probably 4 of the 5 that have very likely starters. 

Mags and Cole will man the left side, but the order isn't set yet. 

Glasgow should be leading for Center still, would be surprising if it's not him at this point. 

And now with Braden the RT to start from Hoke himself, that only leaves the RG spot up for graps. Probably a battle between the Kyles but could be someone else sneaking in. 

FreddieMercuryHayes

August 14th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^

I just hope to god that if Cole doesn't start, or isn't going to see significant time die to injury, please redshirt the guy. If he's so good, I would love to see some separation between the classes.

Avon Barksdale

August 14th, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^

He's definitely not going to redshirt. Hoke was asked about the "separation between the classes" in his 8/12 press conference and he responded: "No, we don't think about that at all. You have to have the best players play and ready to play, if you don't have [the best players playing], you cheat this great program and we're not gonna do that."

FreddieMercuryHayes

August 14th, 2014 at 2:39 PM ^

Man, I just disagree. I think you're doing the program a disservice by not planning for the future. If Cole playing can win you a game, you play him. If you play him in junk time, and sacrificing the future, you're cheating the program. But just my opinion.