OL: can anything be done?

[bonefish1]

Is it simply a matter of talent when it comes to our inability to run the ball? Are our guys on the OL just not strong enough, not quick enough, don't have good technique to creating running lanes?
How much of it is our RB not making the right decision/cut, lack of explosion, etc?
Is Brohm going to be able to scheme his way into having some semblance of a running attack?


Sure, it's fun to watch your QB throw 60 times a game, but you're going to struggle against good teams trying to win shoot outs every week. And if you have a lead in the 4th and can't burn any clock, it spells trouble.
I think it was Wood Hayes who said something like "3 things happen when you throw the ball and 2 of them are bad".

 

[boilermaker75]

They did a great job of pass blocking. They will get better every week.

 

[FirstDownB]

I think they are doing about as well as they can and am not expecting a mid season transformation. That would be more realistic if they were simply missing assignments. But the main issue is there is no push at the point of attack. That, and our guards really aren’t quick or agile enough for pulling, which is something Brohm likes to do to scheme around the one on one disadvantage. The line is the reason I predicted 6 wins instead of 7 or 8. My hope for next year is the younger guys are living in the gym and have monster off seasons. I want to see these social media posts and videos about our linemen and how much they are lifting, not just our receivers. People complain about Horvath, but I’ve seen worse RB on Iowa go for 150 yards.

 

[Dakota Girl]

They did a great job of pass blocking. They will get better every week.

O-line is the hardest position for young players to step into and be effective. It takes a couple years of weights and six thousand calorie diets to create the physical stature needed. Therefore the O-line is the slowest unit to show improvement when a new staff takes over a team.
You have to fill the shelves, build and develop, then play them. Get old and stay old on the O-line.
They will improve during the year if healthy but to expect them to become Wisconsin’s line this year is unrealistic.

 

[bonefish1]

They did a great job of pass blocking. They will get better every week.

I was actually surprised how much our play action created more time for ES. If I was the opposing DC, I'd tell my guys "don't worry about play action, let them try to run the ball. We'll give them 3 yards a pop"

 

[Summy1]

How many o- lineman do we have that will be redshirt freshman next season?

 

[3generboiler]

If I had to pick, I would pick pass protection first given that our primary weapons are receivers. I agree with other poster that the run game will develop. I also think some of our pass plays are about the same as run plays but they’re just putting Rondale or Horvath in space

 

[mryankee2397]

who knows how well they can run block as we dont have a running back that can get to a hole fast enough.

 

[IndySouthsider]

who knows how well they can run block as we dont have a running back that can get to a hole fast enough.

I saw some holes available. But those aren’t going to stay open long.

 

[Lineman1968]

Couldn’t watch the game yesterday but listened to most of it. The announcers mentioned a few times that the running backs missed the open holes several times. I would guess it’s a combo of the line struggling and the backs getting a feel for the speed and read of the play. Hopefully as the season goes on, the whole unit will develop the chemistry that is needed to be successful.

 

[purduepat1969]

Couldn’t watch the game yesterday but listened to most of it. The announcers mentioned a few times that the running backs missed the open holes several times. I would guess it’s a combo of the line struggling and the backs getting a feel for the speed and read of the play. Hopefully as the season goes on, the whole unit will develop the chemistry that is needed to be successful.

Exactly...

 

[purduepat1969]

I don't buy that they can't run block. And I don't buy Horvath being the answer. Hopefully that's only temporary.

 

[FirstDownB]

Go back and watch Vandy’s first score. Their entire Oline was three yards deep into the end zone. Now watch our attempts inside the five or in short yardage situations.

 

[bonefish1]

If I had to pick, I would pick pass protection first given that our primary weapons are receivers. I agree with other poster that the run game will develop. I also think some of our pass plays are about the same as run plays but they’re just putting Rondale or Horvath in space

you don't want Rondale getting dinged up early in the season. He's getting a ton of touches and sure, while he's the best offensive weapon in college football, it's a long season. Need to protect him a little bit.

 

[Wolegib]

I said it 5 years ago. Make your online your primary recruiting target and they will will make the rest of your team look like superstars! UW is a top 10 team and the majority of their players are less talented than ours - except their line. What was yesterday's UW score? What has been their recordthe last 5 years? And look at the NFL. What happens to UW backs and receivers after they leave UW? They go back to being mediocre.

5 star receivers are great if you have a line that can pass block. However, even 3 star receivers can look awesome if you have a line protecting the QB and giving him time to throw! Look at the Packers. They have had great QBs and a line that gave him time to throw and all of a sudden those mediocre receivers turn into all pros. Yes they were good to start. But their line made them look so much better.

Look at Iowa. When you think of Iowa, what do you think of?

I keep hearing how hard it is to figure out how to recruit a lineman. Iowa and UW don't seem to have problems identifying good linemen. And I hate to say it but Purdue has identified many linemen who turned out to be great linemen. The problem is they signed elsewhere. So I'm kind of tired hearing the excuses of finding linemen is hard! We've found many great linemen. We need to start signing those great linemen we find just like the great receivers.

 

[doubleyous]

I think they are doing about as well as they can and am not expecting a mid season transformation. That would be more realistic if they were simply missing assignments. But the main issue is there is no push at the point of attack. That, and our guards really aren’t quick or agile enough for pulling, which is something Brohm likes to do to scheme around the one on one disadvantage. The line is the reason I predicted 6 wins instead of 7 or 8. My hope for next year is the younger guys are living in the gym and have monster off seasons. I want to see these social media posts and videos about our linemen and how much they are lifting, not just our receivers. People complain about Horvath, but I’ve seen worse RB on Iowa go for 150 yards.

Humble opinion: this post is about as accurate as one can produce re: the OL.
There's no magic involved in winding up with a top-tier Off. line. Talent, strength, agility, desire. There's 14 teams in the B10. If we're NOT #1 @[ QB + REC.]........we're close.

But SOMEBODY has to have an OL ranked 12, 13, or 14.
That might be us.
Don't like it. But might be true.
By 2021 we'll have every opportunity to be #7 or better.

P.S. If a less-talented RB for Iowa than Horvath went for over 150 in the past....that was a, uh,.....very fortunate day for that young man.

 

[FirstDownB]

Humble opinion: this post is about as accurate as one can produce re: the OL.
There's no magic involved in winding up with a top-tier Off. line. Talent, strength, agility, desire. There's 14 teams in the B10. If we're NOT #1 @[ QB + REC.]........we're close.

But SOMEBODY has to have an OL ranked 12, 13, or 14.
That might be us.
Don't like it. But might be true.
By 2021 we'll have every opportunity to be #7 or better.

P.S. If a less-talented RB for Iowa than Horvath went for over 150 in the past....that was a, uh,.....very fortunate day for that young man.

There was a year where Iowa was down to something like their second string fullback or fifth string halfback and they were still piling up yards on the ground. Mark Weisman circa 2012-2014 maybe?

 

[nat100]

There was a year where Iowa was down to something like their second string fullback or fifth string halfback and they were still piling up yards on the ground. I’ll edit this post once I find it.

Weisman?

 

[rwenger]

Weisman?

I remember late in the '81against the mighty Wolverines, we trot out this seldom-used, little heard-of white running back out of Pennsylvania (I believe) who went over 100 yds and a score. He never again played at that level, but I just wonder if there is another Jeff Feulner buried somewhere on our depth chart.

 

[BTFU822]

The fact that we have literally one healthy RB that isn't a true freshman does not help matters at all.

 

[Ignacious McNutt]

Is it simply a matter of talent when it comes to our inability to run the ball? Are our guys on the OL just not strong enough, not quick enough, don't have good technique to creating running lanes?
How much of it is our RB not making the right decision/cut, lack of explosion, etc?
Is Brohm going to be able to scheme his way into having some semblance of a running attack?


Sure, it's fun to watch your QB throw 60 times a game, but you're going to struggle against good teams trying to win shoot outs every week. And if you have a lead in the 4th and can't burn any clock, it spells trouble.
I think it was Wood Hayes who said something like "3 things happen when you throw the ball and 2 of them are bad".

Yeah you chill out that is what you do. They are young and getting better each game and did a great job protecting for the passing game. The o line will be fine.

 

[jmohlman]

They did a great job of pass blocking. They will get better every week.

Lots of youth. We have the makings of a good offense of line but it will take time. Probably a combination of the weight room, learning technique and getting experience. Next year and I hate to say it because nobody likes to hear “next year but that’s probably where things stand

 

[jmohlman]

I don't buy that they can't run block. And I don't buy Horvath being the answer. Hopefully that's only temporary.

It sounds like next year that kid from New York City will be pretty hungry. He’s one of the top rated running backs in the nation I believe. Is King Deroue (sp) Just not able to find that holds the line creates? He had a whole lot of praise coming in with him but maybe it’s more size and speed that he possesses then understanding how to actually play running back? I’m not sure how that evolves with freshman but seeing how many freshman running back’s have been very successful in the Big Ten the past couple of years I expected a little bit more but maybe that’s not realistic

 

[Ignacious McNutt]

Is King Deroue (sp) Just not able to find that holds the line creates?

They need to create a hole first. The o-line will get there.

 

[Bobtheboiler88]

Did anyone notice the play of Washington? He replace Stickford in the 4th quarter. He absolutey crushed #10 on one play and he and Criddle knocked a DB/LB out of the game. I think it was the play Sindelar got injured. He can move people, but he looks slow. Probably why he was not starting, since it seems the guards pull a lot.

 

[bonefish1]

Yeah you chill out that is what you do. They are young and getting better each game and did a great job protecting for the passing game. The o line will be fine.

Not worried about pass protection. I'm concerned with a 1.7 yd per carry. It our OL can't open holes against Nevada and Vandy, what are they going to do against MSU, PSU, Wis,?
It's going to be really tough to beat better teams with zero running game.

 

[doubleyous]

They need to create a hole first. The o-line will get there.

Correctomundo. Our RB's will proceed to run through holes at such time that our OL is opening them.
And yeah, our line will eventually get " there ".
The question remains whether or not "there" is modestly ahead of where we are now......
Or substantially ahead.....