Having read the Clarion-Ledger this morning...

[RonnyAtmosphere]

..the University of Mississippi has a bunch of unstoppable Titans on the OL this year, while MSU's OL is a disaster.


Somebody named Phil Steele claims OM's OL is the second best in the nation. The CL article went on to paint the picture of the OM OL as being a shining beacon of undiscovered talent.


Meanwhile, the MSU article about MSU's OL paints a picture of a disaster zone. The guys trying to replace Sherrod (according to the CL article) are busts; the rest of the MSU OL either lacks consistency or experience.


I don't know how much propaganda was apart of these articles, but if they are anywhere near correct, then you are going to have to re-think your pre-season predictions of how OM & MSU are going to do this fall.

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

..the University of Mississippi has a bunch of unstoppable Titans on the OL this year, while MSU's OL is a disaster.


Somebody named Phil Steele claims OM's OL is the second best in the nation. The CL article went on to paint the picture of the OM OL as being a shining beacon of undiscovered talent.


Meanwhile, the MSU article about MSU's OL paints a picture of a disaster zone. The guys trying to replace Sherrod (according to the CL article) are busts; the rest of the MSU OL either lacks consistency or experience.


I don't know how much propaganda was apart of these articles, but if they are anywhere near correct, then you are going to have to re-think your pre-season predictions of how OM & MSU are going to do this fall.

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

..the University of Mississippi has a bunch of unstoppable Titans on the OL this year, while MSU's OL is a disaster.


Somebody named Phil Steele claims OM's OL is the second best in the nation. The CL article went on to paint the picture of the OM OL as being a shining beacon of undiscovered talent.


Meanwhile, the MSU article about MSU's OL paints a picture of a disaster zone. The guys trying to replace Sherrod (according to the CL article) are busts; the rest of the MSU OL either lacks consistency or experience.


I don't know how much propaganda was apart of these articles, but if they are anywhere near correct, then you are going to have to re-think your pre-season predictions of how OM & MSU are going to do this fall.

 

[GloryDawg]

Would I trade our offensive line for Ole Miss's offensive line?

 

[AssEndDawg]

what the Clarion-Ledger says in 7 days 7 hours. I could give a damn what a bunch of guys with journalism degrees who never coached a day of football in their lives think.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Not saying I agree, I'm not expecting much out of us, but I seem to recall this board singing Steele's praises many times.

 

[AlCoDog]

WhileI definitely think #2 in the nation is overating them, I did not realize how big they are. Whether that translates in being quick and athletic enough to block anybody remains to be seen, but they are huge. The Hall transfer form Arkansas is listed at 6'9 340? Did I read that right? Junen is huge too.

We are also talking about 1 person's pre-season prediciton of OL predicitions. I do think Ole mIss is going to be better on the line than I have been thinking after reading that though. Just didn't realize how big they were across the board.

And damn you Aaron Morris. Really wish we had gotten that guy. He seems to be kicking *** early.

As long as we stay healthy, I am not concerned about our OL at all. Not even LT. Depth on both the OL and DL are my only concerns heading into the season. Once games actually start being played, that could change, but right now I'm just ready for a week from today when all these pre-season rankings don't mean didly ****, and we can talk about what happened in actual games.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

[No message]

 

[Rebels7]

Anyone with any speed will give them fits. But they could be very good run blockers. Classic Houston Nutt OL.

 

[mjh94]

is based off of coachspeak, in my opinion.

our "******" offensive line is the <span style="text-decoration:underline">exact same</span> line, minus sherrod, that started against florida last year. bring on the, "yeah, but florida was down last year" bs, mississippi homers.

 

[chew1095]

You guys no doubt have big m17ers, which will certainly help the running game; but are they going to be able to pass block?

I too am not worried about our starting 5. I am not sure whether I am concerned about the back ups because most of them have never played. Do they lack experience? Sure. Do they suck? Too early to tell. All I know is that we have signed 4-6 OLs since Mullen was hired and the guys we have signed are all massive. You have to think that some of the backups will end being pretty decent once given a chance.

Hell, the Rebels offensive line was not terrible last year and they were starting some walk ons at one point in the season due to injuries.

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

..if MSU's stable of quality RB's had those OM monsters blocking for them, they would run wild in every game. Add to that Relf's running ability & MSU would lead the nation in rushing yardage behind OM's OL.

 

[markymark.sixpack]

i know how that sounds, but it's true. I am growing to truly hate brandon marcello. I don't understand what his problem is with our team. What's more, why do they keep him in this role if he hates it so much? We don't really have a good, objective MSU beat writer that I can find. You either have David Murray, who is completely unreadable anyway, Brad Locke, etc.on one end of the spectrum (highlighting only the most positive points and painting everything maroon and white), or you have BM who constantly choosesto highlight onlythe negatives and make them sound way worse than they really are. There's no middle. If you read entire quotes or watch entire videos of Mullen, you leave scratching your head and wondering how BM took away such a negative outlook. I guess the truth of the matter is that we're not as good as the sunshine pumpers would have us believe, but we're not as bad as marcello is making us out to be either.

 

[maroonmania]

against Florida. We only put up 10 points. Yes we played ball control and ran well against them but there was nothing that impressive about our offense versus Florida. In fact, as much as we dominated them they still had a FG attempt for the tie at the end of the game.

 

[coach66]

what he is doing so I expect them to be pretty respectable but #2 in the nation might be stretching it. I agree with most of the guys that are pointing out that their weak point may be pass block and that is the unanswered question for them. We certainly have our share of concerns on the OL as well so I am hoping for the best.

 

[Rebels7]

Besides, we need to run the ball to keep the ball out of the other teams hands, our defense still scares the **** out of me. Hopefully we'll be able to wear people down and still be in the game in the 4th quarter. BYU will tell us a lot. If we can't lean on their candy asses, it will be a long year.

 

[GloryDawg]

bd

 

[patdog]

nm</p>

 

[patdog]

I think it's maybe a top half of the SEC OL, which is pretty good, but no way in hell they've got 2 of the best 5 OL in the league or the best OL overall in the league. As for our OL, I'm very afraid that whoever takes Sherrod's place (looks like Carmon) is going to be a bust. But we've got both experience and production coming back at the other 4 OL spots. And as the most run-heavy team in the SEC, LT is more like just one of five positions on the OL instead of the most important one like it is in a drop back passing offense.

 

[MedDawg]

From tigerdroppings:<div>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">According to Mike Pelton the (most likely) starters are.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">DE- Nosa Eugae 6'4 260 Sophomore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">DT- Ken Carter 6'5 290 Sophomore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">DT- Jeffrey Whitaker 6'4 312 Sophomore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">DE- Corey Lemonier 6'4 230 Sophomore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "></span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">
</span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">
</span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">
</span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">MSU (and OM) ought to be able to run on those guys.</span></font></div>

 

[Foronce]

nm

 

[RebelBruiser]

I do like Steele, but I don't buy everything he says.

I do buy that he has a better feel than most preseason mags about which teams are in shape to turn around sooner and which ones that are ranked high shouldn't be so high.

I also buy his theory about teams that have 100 combined starts on the OL and how that's a predictor of success. It's predictors like that and trends like that that he uses to make those predictions of teams on the rise and decline that do typically have some merit. He knows more about more teams than the other magazines out there, but he's still just guessing a good bit when it comes down to the overall rankings.

I think he has our OL overrated, but we should be good up front. I know some people like Big D think we just suck at every position just because we'll never be good again, but we don't. We do have good players on the OL, and our best and most experienced players are at the tackle and center positions, the most important of the 5 positions, so we should be pretty good up front.

Like everything else though, it's still all talk at this point. No one knows until they strap them on in a few weeks.

I said a few years ago that I thought Mullen was going light on the OL recruiting and that he wasn't doing well at that position overall. If I was right about that, it'll show up in your depth this year and in your starters next year. We will see.

 

[DerHntr]

</p>

 

[dawgwhisperer]

Not sure how the season will go, but right now I'm not worried about our Oline. I think John Hevesey knows what he's doing and will make sure his job is done. If you need an example just check the difference in our line from 2008 to 2009. Same players that gave up pile of sacks in 08 looked pretty darn good in 09, and were even better in 10.

As for Ole Miss, I'm not sure about them either but my brother who is a big Ole Miss homer went to their scrimmage a couple of weeks ago and told me they looked bad. He said anytime the qb dropped back to pass their D-line was all over him. Personally I don't believe their D-line is that much better so...

 

[patdog]

I think he has our OL overrated, but we should be good up front.

Y'all should be good at OL and very good at RB. I think you'll be a lot like our good Jackie Sherrill teams were on offense. Good OL and RBs running against a lot of 8-man fronts because the passing attack is not good.

 

[whereisomaha.sixpack]

but so is Mel Kiper who picked Snead to go #2 in the draft before 09 started. These guys arent future tellers.Our OL will be good, but not #2 in the nation.Great interiordepth, great run blocking, weak tackle depth, and average pass blocking.

 

[EAVdog]

The staff certainly seems to be looking for a prototypical body size. Our entire OL roster seem to be right at, or very near, to 6'-4'' tall and 300 lbs. Some a little heavier but the heaviest isonly 330 (and 6'-7''). And we've got acouple guys in the 6'-6'' range. It seems running the spread works better with rangier more athletic OL, or at least that's their theory.

As for numbers we've got 7 RS freshman and 3 true Freshman. We have an experience gap for sure but what do you do when you have guys good enough to start 3-4 years and they don't get injuries. That just is the nature of the beast so to speak.

Now there are a few guys I would have liked like Aaron Morris. I think this handwringing over the future of our OL is a little premature. Hopefully I'm right.</p>

 

[whatever.sixpack]

Not saying I agree, I'm not expecting much out of us, but I seem to recall this board singing Steele's praises many times.

This is true, most everyone respects Steele the most, but only when it's convenient for them, or when he's plugging their team. C34 drops Steele's name when they have the same predictions, like when they both said Georgia had the top OL in the nation last year (predicted mostly b/c of returning starters). We see how that turned out

 

[fishwater99]

http://

 

[foxtrot127]

nm

 

[maroonmania]

we have 16 scholarship OL broken down as the following:

SR - 3
JR - 3
SO - 2
RFR - 5
FR - 3

So while there is no doubt that we were light on signing OL in Mullen's first class (both SO are redshirts) we appeared to try and make up for it by signing a large OL class in his second recruiting class. We have definitely lost out on a few OL we wanted but that position is one where player development is really key and I have a lot of confidence after the last 2 years that Hevesy and Balis will put a competent offensive line on the field.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

I blew a funny fuse after reading that.

 

[Rezpup]

holding penalties last season. Maybe he will improve but their OL is not elite.

 

[uncle remus]

Not all that knowledgable of the OL, but it seems like theirfans have donenothing but ***** about Sowell since day one and I recall Massie being labeled "disappointing"
may times... severely underperforming expectations given his recruitment.
Yet this article sounds like he's been a two year star. Is that accurate?

I'm not saying thier line won't be good... I have no freaking idea. But yeah, I get the gist of what you are pointing out loud and clear.

 

[gravedigger]

Experienced at what?

I get the OLwill be better than last year because they wont be as depleted injury wise right off the bat. I get that the Jacksonville game wasnt the OL's fault.

But they have 3 qb's who will do well just to keep them in games because none of them have a down of experience in the sec. They have a great running back who I have all respect in the world for. Just like I did Norwood when he continually got his clock cleaned by opposing defenses when we couldnt move the ball any other way. And Bolden is NO Norwood.

I realize they have some talent at wr and some new fellas that could do some good. But that kind of youth requires experience at qb and chemistry on the OL to realize.

How many of those 100 starts among the guys consists of successful games?

I'm sorry. An experienced OL has to have experience at winning to be anywhere near a top 20 unit and Steele has them # freaking 2.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

.

 

[60sdog]

For several years running, we were known for having giants on the OL, in fact we had the largest OL in the US, only to have caveman-like offenses and point production every year. Huge O-linemen typically have slow feet. Ever notice how often over the years Bradley Sowell has had a DL come running around him. Slow feet.

 

[jacksonreb1]

everybody but pass blocking........not so much.........brunneti better be ready to "move the pocket". the salvation of the qb's may be that apparently sowell has grown into a legit LT and at least the blind side may not leak like a seave.

 

[chew1095]

in light of what experience, or lack thereof, you have on the DL.

 

[MedDawg]

holding penalties last season.

It's hard to believe that he would be named to any All-SEC team at all if those were true. Do you have a link?