How about a little love for Schlarman?

RackOps

Senior
Sep 13, 2006
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Dude has been raked over the coals here almost since day 1....some of it has certainly been warranted....but if we are going to dish out criticism, I think dishing out some praise is warranted too.

As far as I am concerned, our O-Line play haa been critical for our SEC wins...especially Miss State. Our guys were just mauling State's line and Linebackers, even the commentators were remarking on it. I love the attitude they are playing with.


Well done, Coach.
 

Black Diamond Cat

All-Conference
Apr 9, 2016
4,672
2,526
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Got to give him credit, he has developed this unit into a solid, solid O-line. He did take a lot of crap the last couple of years, and actually deserved it, but now he has to be deserving of praise for his effort !
 
Sep 13, 2003
23,905
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He has definitely gotten our O-Line lined out!

We are lining up in the Wildcat and just running over these teams. That, in turn, has given our defense and passing game a lift.

He deserves credit for the turn around.
 

Mikey Likes It

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2007
11,247
3,776
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I loved it every time they showed a replay last night of a big run you could see how locked down Miss State was all the way to the second level. Felt good seeing that.
 

ktbug

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
14,502
2,828
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I had given up on him, but he has won me back. Oline is playing lights out running the ball.
 
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irishcat1965

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
19,455
39,345
113
True OP. The man deserved all the grief he had gotten over the past couple of years. Now the line is functioning like an upper SEC line and he should credit for it. You just can't win in the the SEC without running the ball and it appears we have the backs and line to do it. With an accurate QB, I'm not quite sure this offense could be stopped except by top defenses like Bama.
 
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Anon1660081258

All-American
Jun 20, 2013
7,250
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I wonder to what degree he has benefited from the introduction of Coach Gran (mentor) or whether he just needed more time with his youngsters and they the opportunity to physically mature. Probably more the latter than the former, I think.
 
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K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,145
25,079
113
I wonder to what degree he has benefited from the introduction of Coach Gran (mentor) or whether he just needed more time with his youngsters and they the opportunity to physically mature. Probably more the latter than the former, I think.
1. I was way down on Schlarman...but he deserves credit. The OL is doing a very solid job...and partnering with Boom/Benny they are the best unit on the entire team. Better than QB/WR, DL, LBer and the vaunted DBs to begin the season. The OL has really played better than any other unit besides RB which sort of go hand in hand.
2. I thought the tackles would be miserable on pass protection with Leavitt didn't take a spot on depth chart. But Mosier has been really solid out there to my surprise. Meadows has matured and big George/Landon Young have done a good job rotating at tackle.
3. Gran deserves credit for playing to their strengths and not throwing it around as much as Dawson did....especially the deep ball pass plays. We run at people as much as we can, we throw play action, move the pocket with Johnson, screens are mixed in, etc...Gran is a huge upgrade over Dawson
4. I'd also argue Benny Snell is a massive difference maker for UK. We don't get a back like him very often that keeps first downs happening and wearing down teams. I love Boom...but Boom struggles with negative run plays at times...it seems like Benny is always getting 2 yards or more...never negative. And that keeps the down and distance within grasp for this offense.
 

OldRed

All-Conference
Jun 7, 2001
17,793
4,548
113
I'd bet Schlarman is doing about the same job he has. I'd give credit to Gran at being better able to match the playcalling to what we can do and our opponents being a bit weaker than usual. I can't remember the East being this weak.
 

UKfan2151

All-American
Oct 1, 2003
14,064
8,372
113
I think the offense has to a large degree adopted the attitude of Eddie Gran. That, IMO, has helped the OL more than anything. I'd bet Schlarman isn't doing anything vastly different than he has always done. The team is just developing a more aggressive mentality. This is why I like a guy that uses a pro style approach like Gran over these finesse air raid guys. If you are serious about running the ball, you have to play with toughness and aggressiveness. The pro style demands it.
 

Tedington

Redshirt
Aug 23, 2003
19
21
0
I'd bet Schlarman is doing about the same job he has. I'd give credit to Gran at being better able to match the playcalling to what we can do and our opponents being a bit weaker than usual. I can't remember the East being this weak.

This.......in football it's rarely about one player or one coach, it's about how all the parts interact with each other. Truly a team sport. We may finally have a cohesive TEAM where all the memebers respond well to one another
 

Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
39,938
60,338
113
The OLine is maturing. We will miss Toth, but this line could be even better next year!
 

NCukcat62

All-Conference
Jul 22, 2007
8,893
3,671
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Oline looks like an sec line. Maybe not at the top but it is able to compete with most. The holes for our backs and pass protection Johnson was getting was superb. And Mississippi state has a decent defensive line
 

akaukswoosh

Hall of Famer
Jan 14, 2006
79,002
120,637
93
I'd also argue Benny Snell is a massive difference maker for UK.

He is indeed. Stay healthy, young man.
 

TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
10,331
0
I still believe the early criticism was deserved but you also have to credit him for the improvement. The OL has improved more than any position this season.
 
Sep 23, 2016
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The OL has matured. Four years ago Landon and Drake would have started as true FR ftom day one. The fact that Landon is sharing snaps and Drake is RS tells a lot about the quality of depth this year.
 

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
27,167
36,894
102
Nobody's been more critical of him than me . I'm truly impressed with how the line has developed this year .
 
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Bryo72

Junior
Jun 12, 2016
1,427
354
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Got to give him credit, he has developed this unit into a solid, solid O-line. He did take a lot of crap the last couple of years, and actually deserved it, but now he has to be deserving of praise for his effort !
JS, I thought was a helluva good UK lineman back in the day as well....I give the man credit, he's done well with the fellas!
 
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Callinstraight

Freshman
Apr 17, 2014
59
59
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I'd bet Schlarman is doing about the same job he has. I'd give credit to Gran at being better able to match the playcalling to what we can do and our opponents being a bit weaker than usual. I can't remember the East being this weak.

Bingo. Hope this doesn't offend, but contrary to what some posters think, Schlarman has been doing a great job his entire career at UK. THE difference this year is that the play calling has been tailored to the O line strength (run blocking), which shores up the O line weakness (pass blocking). Schlarman did not magically all of a sudden learn how to coach over the off season. As for the East opponents being weak, offensively that may be true, but defensively it is not, particularly rush defense. UK's run game is very, very good.
 

The-Hack

Heisman
Oct 1, 2016
24,463
42,984
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I've never been down on Schlarman. I think he's always been good, but having Bennie Snell pound so effectively at times seems to have energized the o-line. How many times have I seen O-linemen mob him for congratulations after a tough run? It has become a self-fulfilling prophecy: We will run successfully against a stacked box, because we will run successfully against a stacked box. If we block well, we run well. If we miss a block, Snell leaves an imprint of his shoulder pad or helmet on the one that got away, . . . . and we run well.
 
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lex cath

Heisman
Jan 6, 2016
7,782
12,104
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The O line nastys play better with Snell behind them, he don't run out of bounds or side to
Side. He runs over and through people :fistbump:
 

BigBoyBlueMMA

Senior
Jul 14, 2013
849
479
63
IMHO the offensive line play has become one of the best in the conference. this arises from multi-factors - notwithstanding talent level. However, I believe the most important is that he knows exactly what his OC wants and what his OC Needs and that does make your job easier. When your guessing at the identity of your offense - then it makes it more difficult as an assistant to know how to prepare your players. Sounds simplistic - but getting more simplistic and lining up to play football has been the saving grace for this football team