Bitter blog - Spring breakdown: Is this the year the o-line begins to turn a corner?

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I really can't make up my mind on if I should be more worried about the o-line or safety. Safety has the advantage of having Foster and Gray overseeing it and some prospects that I've seen people get really high on. O-line has......what? I mean, we've got the same coach this year, which is nice but outside of the top 3 (McGlock, Teller, Conte) there's just no one that does anything to sooth my nerves.

When was the last time you could look at the OL heading into spring ball and say, "Well I know these three guys are legit..."?

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

You're absolutely right of course. But even with those three we don't have anyone with any real experience at center and one side of the line is pretty much a complete unknown. But, then again, that's what spring is for.

And for the first time in years, I have sincere confidence in our OL coach going into the spring.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

God it feels weird......

Inorite?

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

this is true.. on the other hand can't feel too confident about the other 2 spots. We had a d3 dt playing OT and to be fair it didn't work out to well but can't blame wade for that. If Austin Clark is the real deal that would be huge as he could easily come in and fit a position of need and possibly be in 2 deep at OT.

McLaughlin moving back to the left side...strong side.. is massive as I don't think he was able to get comfortable on the right and then was injured. Center will be the spot to watch come spring scrimmages and the spring game!

Is Conte really that much of a sure thing? The fact that Hansen (a converted defensive tackle who was clearly learning as he went) was trusted on the line before he was makes me worry.

I think people trust Conte more because he took Hansen's place after he struggled and played better.

"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

The thing is, that was at tackle- not Guard which is where he projects the most. He is not the quickest guy but he is strong as hell and not un-athletic by any means. So, at worst, guard I think is a good place for him. That being said, when he took over for Hansen towards the end of the year he did better than Hansen in my opinion. That's not a knock on Wade just my $0.02. The guy was in a situation that was a tall order an still busted his gluteus maximi. I have a feeling, with his work ethic and offseason with gentry and Searels(in addition to lining across from Dadi) this spring, we will feel a bit better about Hansen.

"This is really a lovely horse, I once rode her mother." - Ted Walsh

I do too, I wouldn't be surprised if Hansen is just good enough to hold off Austin Clark for a year.
If Wade started first because Conte was really more of a pure guard and we're moving him back to that spot, I could definitely see that as an excuse for reasonable excitement.

Agree, but either way, having actual competition will be a great thing for both.

The sad/exciting thing to me when you look at Bitter's 'Spring Cast' roster, of the 18 players listed, TWELVE are r-Sophomores or younger!
There's only one senior on the roster-Hansen.
We're finally getting back to having enough bodies to field a consistent O-line, and there is an uptick in talent, and a definite improvement in coaching.

haha so true

Looks like you and I are in agreement

I'll give a leg to each of your comments to match the number of legs your species has.

This year above any other am I actually excited about the o-line. Searels has got the kind of players he wants. Regardless of who it is we are going to have a bunch of 6'3 290 pissed off bouncers. Teller and Conte are a known product. If we have 3 other like minded gentlemen I believe it will work it's self out.

GifOracle - Give me Bill Murray, Groundhog Day.

Well, I'm not the GifOracle, but here ya go anyway...

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

This is how I feel on a Monday morning.

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

Thought I was on the wrong site for a moment. That is an awesome feature they have.

Please let it be so

VT '10--US Citizen; (804) Virginian By Birth; (979) Texan By the Grace of God.

Rick Monday... You Made a Great Play...

I also root for: The Keydets, Army, TexAggies, NY Giants, NY Rangers, ATL Braves, and SA Brahmas

Really hoping Smith has a breakout performance this Spring/Fall.

Andy, you said they have a chance to be OK. How does OK compare to last year?

"How you doin', Randy?"

Better than what we had against Wake. We're gonna struggle at times and things won't always be pretty and we'll see some blown assignments (my guess is we start at least one freshman - true or redshirt - for most of the year), but in terms of individual guys winning their battles, we'll be better off than we were last year.

Short answer to Andy's question. Yes. In Stacey we trust.

I had almost forgotten about the ESPN ACC Blog. Now that Dinich is gone I can give it another chance.

Wiley, Brown, Russell, Drakeford, Gray, Banks, Prioleau, Charleton, Midget, Bird, McCadam, Pile, Hall, Green, Fuller, Williams, Hamilton, Rouse, Flowers, Harris, Chancellor, Carmichael, Hosley, Fuller, Exum, Jarrett

ugh...why must you speak it's name??

February..'96...the steak: ribeye, the whiskey:Lagavulin 16, the lady next to me: a bit**.....

Good to know the boo whoos are back to making snow angels and playing bean bag toss!

Looks like Waytt Teller just ran through that group.

Followed closely by Maddy

He hasn't gotten there yet, there'd be blood, lots of it...

Pain is Temporary, Chicks Dig Scars
Glory is Forever, Let's Go Hokies!!

I had no idea Quinta Funderburk was even at Syracuse! Former Oscar Smith kid chose Arkansas after Curt Newsome! fumbled his recruitment. Transferred to SU after the Petrino scandal. Had 3 catches for 50 yards in his Syracuse career. Former #9 ranked player in Virginia.

All part of London's new "Surprise!!" offense. They lay really still and let the snow cover them, then when the other team is confused because they can't find the uva players..."Surprise!!" They jump up and run down the field for a TD!.

No, that sounds more like something Al Groh would do...

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

Caption:
--uva team practicing for next year's match up with Virginia Tech

--Coach said to drop and give him 20. We gave him the money, now how long before we can get up?

--uva O-line was so shocked that they scored a TD that they all passed out.

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

--After years of drinking Zima, the uva players couldn't handle a shot of Wild Turkey.

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

This picture is:

The possibilities are endless.

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

We actually did a caption the pic thread on this one a while back. Also, I've been watching Teen Titans with my little girl lately. It's actually kinda funny.

"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

Sorry, musta missed that. IMHO the original teen titans was much better than the teen titans go that's on now. But my boys disagree.

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!