How can Dan fix an OL by next year?
- Thread starter DAWG61
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That's the problem with the OL position. If you get yourself in a rut, you can't really quick fix your way out of the problem.
next year is the true "rebuilding" year on the OL when we lose A Lawrence, Saulsberry and Carmon. Next year we have Jackson and Smith (if he recovers) and then a bunch of SO and FR. JUCO is the only quick fix but our recruiting class only has around 8 slots left and I don't even know of a JUCO OL we are on heavy right now.
That 2010 class has to be ready next year.
Damien Robinson
Archie Muniez
Clausell
Dillon Day
Eric Lawson
Those guys guys all need to be on the 2 deep rotation.
Damien Robinson
Archie Muniez
Clausell
Dillon Day
Eric Lawson
Those guys guys all need to be on the 2 deep rotation.
Let's go through what we have right now assume we don't sign JUCO lineman:
LT: Clausell
LG: Jackson
C: Day
RG: Smith
RT: Muniz
I feel fine with that up the middle, and then you have Trapp and Robinson and Hardy to provide some depth there
Tackle is a concern - can Robinson play there, can Lawson? Malone and Knox will be RFr. We'll be starting two RSo which is never what you really want to be doing in the SEC. And we still don't have a true blocking TE we can put to a side to help out.
That's why I think we almost have to get a JUCO tackle even if we project them to be 2nd string.
LT: Clausell
LG: Jackson
C: Day
RG: Smith
RT: Muniz
I feel fine with that up the middle, and then you have Trapp and Robinson and Hardy to provide some depth there
Tackle is a concern - can Robinson play there, can Lawson? Malone and Knox will be RFr. We'll be starting two RSo which is never what you really want to be doing in the SEC. And we still don't have a true blocking TE we can put to a side to help out.
That's why I think we almost have to get a JUCO tackle even if we project them to be 2nd string.
Agree that Trapp redshirting is an issue, but at least he and Hardy will be upperclassmen on the depth chart although I hope none of them plays a down. Lawson is a bit disappointing b/c when we got him it was believed he might actually have the best potential of that OB trio and he did have several other legitimate offers.
As I recall Trapp was a late guy that Hevesy fell in love with and really pushed Dan to sign, so if he's a flop we can blame that one pretty squarely on the position coach.
As I recall Trapp was a late guy that Hevesy fell in love with and really pushed Dan to sign, so if he's a flop we can blame that one pretty squarely on the position coach.
Point being, there aren't many Juco OL out there every year that step in and produce at a high level immediately. It's not common. It's certainly not common for a true freshman to be really good his first year, unless he's some sort of super stud, and even those often go through growing pains at first.
OL is the toughest position to rebuild quickly in my opinion. If you don't have the pieces on your roster right now that are redshirting or just needing another year of development, then it's tough to expect a lot immediately.
Your OL last year was good because most of them had played together for a couple years, and they went through growing pains together. Your OL this year lost about half those guys to graduation and you've experienced injuries to a lot of the others. It's tough to piece it together after that. Mullen had a couple sub-par OL recruiting classes, and it's hurting him now and will hurt him next year offensively.
And before you go there, yes I know our OL has struggled a good bit this year. That doesn't change the fact that you can't fix an OL overnight if the pieces to do so aren't already on campus. It's just tough to do.
OL is the toughest position to rebuild quickly in my opinion. If you don't have the pieces on your roster right now that are redshirting or just needing another year of development, then it's tough to expect a lot immediately.
Your OL last year was good because most of them had played together for a couple years, and they went through growing pains together. Your OL this year lost about half those guys to graduation and you've experienced injuries to a lot of the others. It's tough to piece it together after that. Mullen had a couple sub-par OL recruiting classes, and it's hurting him now and will hurt him next year offensively.
And before you go there, yes I know our OL has struggled a good bit this year. That doesn't change the fact that you can't fix an OL overnight if the pieces to do so aren't already on campus. It's just tough to do.
who to my knowledge hasn't been on the field all year. He's not going to go from that to helping us next year. I just don't see it.
Gotta get the guys that are there ready for next year.
I've been severely disappointed in the development of our young OL group. We have plenty of bodies, and we've got plenty of size and in my opinion I think we have enough athleticism, but we've got a true freshman beating out some of our veterans.
Ultimately, I think you've gotta have those young guys make strides in the off-season. Maybe get them on the Todd Wade diet. If I recall, that guy went from 6-5 265 as a true freshman to 6-7 340 as a senior.
Maybe you do have the players already there. They may just be too green. Ideally, from your perspective, you'd hope guys like Day and others that are getting their first live action this year due to injuries take their lumps and come back next year as a solid unit. Think back again to your 2008 OL in comparison to your 2010 OL. Trial by fire may be your best bet, and right now, due to the injuries, you don't have a whole lot of choice other than getting those guys in the mix now.
I've been severely disappointed in the development of our young OL group. We have plenty of bodies, and we've got plenty of size and in my opinion I think we have enough athleticism, but we've got a true freshman beating out some of our veterans.
Ultimately, I think you've gotta have those young guys make strides in the off-season. Maybe get them on the Todd Wade diet. If I recall, that guy went from 6-5 265 as a true freshman to 6-7 340 as a senior.
Maybe you do have the players already there. They may just be too green. Ideally, from your perspective, you'd hope guys like Day and others that are getting their first live action this year due to injuries take their lumps and come back next year as a solid unit. Think back again to your 2008 OL in comparison to your 2010 OL. Trial by fire may be your best bet, and right now, due to the injuries, you don't have a whole lot of choice other than getting those guys in the mix now.
I think OL is one of the positions a guy can come in and provide quality depth, and even make an impact his first year.<div>
</div><div>I just don't think Mullen and Co. have figured that part of recruiting in Mississippi out yet. I know he would prefer to sign young guys and 'develop' them, and I appreciate that line of long-term thinking, but you gotta do what you gotta do to compete in this league. I know he's trying to build a program on solid foundation, and he's right for the most part. But doing that at MState is different than at UF, or most other places.</div><div>
</div><div>There are a few things Dan doesn't like to do, and so far on the whole has refused to do. I'm hoping he will eventually figure this out. Actually, I thought Jackie was going to get this message across to him early on, but I guess you have to learn the hard way -- experience. Which is where we are now.</div><div>
</div><div>Off the top of my head, here's what I would do:</div><div>
</div><div>1. Recruit JUCOs. You're in Mississippi. There just aren't enough high school players coming out each year who can qualify to field a competitive SEC team. The sooner you recognize that, the sooner you realize you can get a few select JUCO guys to contribute every year. You almost have to.</div><div>
</div><div>2. Do whatever it takes to SIGN a couple of high-profile, talented-but-cocky-piece-of-**** type players. Even if you don't like their attitudes. Promise them early playing time. Tell them they can play QB even if you know they'll eventually be moved to DB. Turn your head while someone else "takes care" of them during the recruiting process. I know they are potentially bad for team chemistry and work ethic and yadda yadda yadda, but some do work out ok and contribute early and often. You can always kick them off the team if they become a real problem. But here's the point: no matter how we like to think otherwise, RECRUITING RANKINGS MATTER TO NEXT YEAR'S RECRUITS. You have to land a few of those guys to climb the recruiting rankings, so you can get the next big-time recruit's attention the following year. I don't necessarily like it either, but it has to be done.</div><div>
</div><div>3. Suck up to Momma when necessary. I know, Dan... I KNOW. It pains me too. It would be difficult for me to swallow, and I'm a nice guy from Mississippi. I can only imagine how hard it is for a rich, intelligent,arrogant confident yankee ***-kicker like yourself to sit across from a poor elderly woman in a small house in the piney woods of Mississippi and swear to her that her son/grandson is the greatest athlete you've ever seen put on a pair of shoulder pads. He runs like Walter Payton. Throws like Brett Favre. He reminds you of Cam Newton... but so much better in every category. Just do us all a favor, and try it. Please. For your own sake. DON'T tell her and her son how near impossible it will be for him to break into the starting lineup. DON'T tell her and her son that you will work him like a dog. DON'T tell her her baby will have to play through pain when he's injured. I know your no-nonsense, no-******** approach works with a lot of kids. It definitely works with the kids you successfully recruit now, but what you get is... well, what you have now. A group of 'great kids' who 'do it the right way', but can't quite get over the hump. Don't get me wrong, I love the "hard workers", the "keeps his mouth shut and just does his job" type guys. You need them. They can be the heart and soul of your team. But you have to mix in a few noisemakers. You need vocal leaders, too. You need guys who talk **** and then back it up. Try it on a select few players this year. You'll know who they are when you meet them. (this year's CJ, Whitehead, Brassell, whoever) and I believe you'll get more SEC-caliber athletes to commit to your football team. I know it sounds dirty, but that's the life you've chosen as a head coach in the SEC. That's what Nutt does. Chizik. Richt. Orgeron. Even Miles to the extent he needs to. The good news for you, unlike the other good recruiters on that list, is that -- if you can just get past that few minutes in hell on the couch with momma -- I believe you can actually take those players and do something special with them on the field. You would have it all.</div><div>
</div><div>Or just do what Saban does -- send in a substitute suck-up when necessary. He only shows up for certain visits where ***-kissing isn't needed. He gets other guys to handle the players and their mommas who need that extra special attention. What else does Melvin have to do anyway?</div><div>
</div><div>/Seemed like as good a place as any for a recruiting rant</div>
</div><div>I just don't think Mullen and Co. have figured that part of recruiting in Mississippi out yet. I know he would prefer to sign young guys and 'develop' them, and I appreciate that line of long-term thinking, but you gotta do what you gotta do to compete in this league. I know he's trying to build a program on solid foundation, and he's right for the most part. But doing that at MState is different than at UF, or most other places.</div><div>
</div><div>There are a few things Dan doesn't like to do, and so far on the whole has refused to do. I'm hoping he will eventually figure this out. Actually, I thought Jackie was going to get this message across to him early on, but I guess you have to learn the hard way -- experience. Which is where we are now.</div><div>
</div><div>Off the top of my head, here's what I would do:</div><div>
</div><div>1. Recruit JUCOs. You're in Mississippi. There just aren't enough high school players coming out each year who can qualify to field a competitive SEC team. The sooner you recognize that, the sooner you realize you can get a few select JUCO guys to contribute every year. You almost have to.</div><div>
</div><div>2. Do whatever it takes to SIGN a couple of high-profile, talented-but-cocky-piece-of-**** type players. Even if you don't like their attitudes. Promise them early playing time. Tell them they can play QB even if you know they'll eventually be moved to DB. Turn your head while someone else "takes care" of them during the recruiting process. I know they are potentially bad for team chemistry and work ethic and yadda yadda yadda, but some do work out ok and contribute early and often. You can always kick them off the team if they become a real problem. But here's the point: no matter how we like to think otherwise, RECRUITING RANKINGS MATTER TO NEXT YEAR'S RECRUITS. You have to land a few of those guys to climb the recruiting rankings, so you can get the next big-time recruit's attention the following year. I don't necessarily like it either, but it has to be done.</div><div>
</div><div>3. Suck up to Momma when necessary. I know, Dan... I KNOW. It pains me too. It would be difficult for me to swallow, and I'm a nice guy from Mississippi. I can only imagine how hard it is for a rich, intelligent,arrogant confident yankee ***-kicker like yourself to sit across from a poor elderly woman in a small house in the piney woods of Mississippi and swear to her that her son/grandson is the greatest athlete you've ever seen put on a pair of shoulder pads. He runs like Walter Payton. Throws like Brett Favre. He reminds you of Cam Newton... but so much better in every category. Just do us all a favor, and try it. Please. For your own sake. DON'T tell her and her son how near impossible it will be for him to break into the starting lineup. DON'T tell her and her son that you will work him like a dog. DON'T tell her her baby will have to play through pain when he's injured. I know your no-nonsense, no-******** approach works with a lot of kids. It definitely works with the kids you successfully recruit now, but what you get is... well, what you have now. A group of 'great kids' who 'do it the right way', but can't quite get over the hump. Don't get me wrong, I love the "hard workers", the "keeps his mouth shut and just does his job" type guys. You need them. They can be the heart and soul of your team. But you have to mix in a few noisemakers. You need vocal leaders, too. You need guys who talk **** and then back it up. Try it on a select few players this year. You'll know who they are when you meet them. (this year's CJ, Whitehead, Brassell, whoever) and I believe you'll get more SEC-caliber athletes to commit to your football team. I know it sounds dirty, but that's the life you've chosen as a head coach in the SEC. That's what Nutt does. Chizik. Richt. Orgeron. Even Miles to the extent he needs to. The good news for you, unlike the other good recruiters on that list, is that -- if you can just get past that few minutes in hell on the couch with momma -- I believe you can actually take those players and do something special with them on the field. You would have it all.</div><div>
</div><div>Or just do what Saban does -- send in a substitute suck-up when necessary. He only shows up for certain visits where ***-kissing isn't needed. He gets other guys to handle the players and their mommas who need that extra special attention. What else does Melvin have to do anyway?</div><div>
</div><div>/Seemed like as good a place as any for a recruiting rant</div>
let's take a bunch of idiot thugs and promise them the world. ole miss is doing this same thing and we sure would love to be in their shoes.
We are in their shoes. Both teams are 2 and 3. The only difference is that State is 0 and 3 in the conference and OM is 0 and 2.
BYU and Vanderbilt.<div>
</div><div>We still have 2 gimme (hopefully) games ahead of us in UAB and UTM. Then our 'easy' SEC game is Kentucky. They still have to deal with Auburn and LSU.</div><div>
</div><div>We're in a better position. Much better if you consider their off the field idioticness.</div>
</div><div>We still have 2 gimme (hopefully) games ahead of us in UAB and UTM. Then our 'easy' SEC game is Kentucky. They still have to deal with Auburn and LSU.</div><div>
</div><div>We're in a better position. Much better if you consider their off the field idioticness.</div>
Not a coach by any means, but I would think at some point you start pushing guys to have perfect practice not running plays till they are perfect. 100% effort on pass blocking and run blocking and getting it perfect like the upper SEC goes a whole lot farther than getting certain plays to where they are 60% effective.
to make us happy and get us to year 5. At that point, we better be fixed. Then again, I just hope we have him in year 5
coaching/development.
there are very very few HS OL out there that can be a "quick fix". and the handful of juco OL out there that can be a quick fix are being recruited by everyone in the country. OL requires more coaching and development than any other position on the field except maybe QB.
there are very very few HS OL out there that can be a "quick fix". and the handful of juco OL out there that can be a quick fix are being recruited by everyone in the country. OL requires more coaching and development than any other position on the field except maybe QB.