First off I would like to say that I think Dan Mullen has done an outstanding job so far but with that said. Am I the only one concerned about our lack of QUALITY offensive linemen we have gotten the last couple of years (includes last year and this year)?? I know we would love to have Damien Robinson but I'm pretty sure that landing him is a long shot. I love Qb's and Rb's but if we dont start getting some big hogs in here to block for them it doesn't matter if A. Peterson is our RB. I know all of us have seen what a poor O-line can do to an offense. I realize we have signed and are going after a few decent ones but I'm telling you now that we are not doing a good job of stocking them. If Mullen does not correct this problem soon then I'm afraid it could be a major problem in the near future. I want MSU to succeed more then anybody I know so I hope I'm dead wrong on this.
Potential Problem...
- Thread starter DawgOfTheWest
- Start date
until after signing day. I'm pretty sure Mullen knows the importance of offensive linemen. He is looking to sign 3 tackles and one inside player. Keep in mind, C. Virges could be an excellent OG if things don't work out at DT.
Our recruiting strategy seems to have taken shape. We have about 9 spots left.
Priorities:
1. Cam Newton
2. Vince Sanders
3. Damien Robinson, OT
4. Nick Griffin
5. Matt Wells
6. Carlos Thompson
7. K. Gates, OT
8. M. Humphrey
9. a LB
Keeping warm:
1. Dylan Favre
2. Dillion Day, OC or OG
3. Don. Hawkins, OL
4. Darone Bailey, OL
5. Nolen Smith, WR
6. Taurice King, LB
7. Chris Hughes, LB
8. Penn, LB
So as you can see, we have 2 more tackles as priorites and we have at least 3 backup plans.
Our recruiting strategy seems to have taken shape. We have about 9 spots left.
Priorities:
1. Cam Newton
2. Vince Sanders
3. Damien Robinson, OT
4. Nick Griffin
5. Matt Wells
6. Carlos Thompson
7. K. Gates, OT
8. M. Humphrey
9. a LB
Keeping warm:
1. Dylan Favre
2. Dillion Day, OC or OG
3. Don. Hawkins, OL
4. Darone Bailey, OL
5. Nolen Smith, WR
6. Taurice King, LB
7. Chris Hughes, LB
8. Penn, LB
So as you can see, we have 2 more tackles as priorites and we have at least 3 backup plans.
But at the same time, I think it's maybe early. I think o-linemen are sort of like QB's in that they have to be developed, and I think the fact that we have Hevesey, who impressed me more than any other assistant we had last year, coaching the o-line and Balis, we need to focus on guys that we can develop over time.
I do think again, that this an area that Croom neglected, which blows my mind since Croom was an o-lineman, you would think that he would understand how important the o-line is, but anyway.
I actually think that we are probably going to get Damien Robinson because Bama doesn't want him. And he's the kind of guy that we need to be recruiting. I know a lot of people have said that he didn't look that good in HS- and that's probably why Bama dropped the guy, but at the same time, he is 6'8" 300 or so pounds, and a guy with those measureables is someone that could be good after being RS and developed in a few years.
I think that Clausell guy that Mullen has committed is similar, without the fanfare of Robinson.
Think back through the years, and most of the guys that were very good at MSU on the o-line were guys like Pork Chop Womack- who I don't remember being all that highly recruited. But he was coached very well, and developed, and now he is in the NFL with a HUGE grin on his face on the scoreboard before MSU games.
Also, you look at this years o-line and the progress that has been made. I mean, a guy like Quenton Saulsberry was getting beat last year- some of it was because he was playing out of position, I will conceed that- but you look at him this year, and he's throwing key blocks in the Egg Bowl to spring Chris Relf for an easy TD. Addison Lawrence also improved a lot, and heck even a guy like Derek Sherrod, who was a DD out of high school and was highly recruited, also improved a lot. A lot of that goes to Hevesey, but that brings me back to my point about development and coaching.
I do think again, that this an area that Croom neglected, which blows my mind since Croom was an o-lineman, you would think that he would understand how important the o-line is, but anyway.
I actually think that we are probably going to get Damien Robinson because Bama doesn't want him. And he's the kind of guy that we need to be recruiting. I know a lot of people have said that he didn't look that good in HS- and that's probably why Bama dropped the guy, but at the same time, he is 6'8" 300 or so pounds, and a guy with those measureables is someone that could be good after being RS and developed in a few years.
I think that Clausell guy that Mullen has committed is similar, without the fanfare of Robinson.
Think back through the years, and most of the guys that were very good at MSU on the o-line were guys like Pork Chop Womack- who I don't remember being all that highly recruited. But he was coached very well, and developed, and now he is in the NFL with a HUGE grin on his face on the scoreboard before MSU games.
Also, you look at this years o-line and the progress that has been made. I mean, a guy like Quenton Saulsberry was getting beat last year- some of it was because he was playing out of position, I will conceed that- but you look at him this year, and he's throwing key blocks in the Egg Bowl to spring Chris Relf for an easy TD. Addison Lawrence also improved a lot, and heck even a guy like Derek Sherrod, who was a DD out of high school and was highly recruited, also improved a lot. A lot of that goes to Hevesey, but that brings me back to my point about development and coaching.
sometimes i think you can take a big body and coach them up to produce, the key though is they cant be lazy, and they have to have a strong work ethic.
On a side note, I have a friend who says we are looking at an ot from petal named melvin meggs, he was 1st team all-state. friend says he can play, and is a solid student, 3.8 or something like that.
On a side note, I have a friend who says we are looking at an ot from petal named melvin meggs, he was 1st team all-state. friend says he can play, and is a solid student, 3.8 or something like that.
dirtydawg40 said:
weight room work ethic stuff falls on the strength and conditioning staff. It is their job to make sure those guys work out and do what they're supposed to do. If they need to get Mullen involved with that, so be it.
What happened to a guy like a Dontae Walker is totally unacceptable to me.
I played 2a ball in HS, weight program was 1st priority with our coaches, If you didnt do the lifting and conditioning year round, you did not play. We rarely had an injury, and we were always in better shape than our opponents.
How can you not have more faith in our O Line after this past season. The combo of coaching players and schemes have really made a difference. Crooms ran NFL zone blocking schemes for 5 years. Our running plays this year used misdirection and trapping plays. It is a lot easier to block when the defense does not know where the ball is going. I am not saying we do not need O linemen but I went from saying that we sucked at that position to feeling pretty good.
..there were 15 OL on MSU's roster.
In other words, you can question the talent level of MSU's OL, but you can't question the depth.
Most college football teams can take 15 OL & find 4 out of that 15 that can block.
In other words, you can question the talent level of MSU's OL, but you can't question the depth.
Most college football teams can take 15 OL & find 4 out of that 15 that can block.
We're doing very well with Damein Robinson and could get Kenarious Gates as well. Clausell is a good prospect, and we might add someone else, too. Don't worry, we're doing fine, and next year is a big year for OL in MS. We've already got a commitment from probably the best one and are doing very well early with Aaron Morris, another very good prospect. With our strength staff and Hevesy, we'll be fine on the OL. It's one position I'm not worried about.
Thats what I love about this board. I asked you guys to show me I was wrong and after reading the responses, I feel much better..Thanks</p>