I noted Clements discussing using more simplistic zone schemes. Some of the Instagram footage from last week showed zone blocking drills, and I noticed the emphasis Ron Crook had on contact points, angles, and maintaining leg drive. On a rep with Kaden Moore, Moore kept his feet moving at contact (with very vocal encouragement from Coach Crook) and had to adjust to the movement of the defender to stay engaged.
Hopefully the simplified scheme and better attention to fundamentals, particularly on footwork, will help some of the young veteran offensive linemen to take a step forward.
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We desperately need it to make a material difference this year, both for the offense and for depth/development.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
I still have some concerns about zone fit for guys like the Moore brothers. I had similar concerns about Meadows, but his footwork was so much better than I expected in the spring game, and now I am on board to seeing him play somewhere.
I also saw some film on Clayton Frady.
Frady is playing right tackle. It is very difficult to assess his play. The Gardner Webb offense is unique, with a lot of misdirection zone blocking to mess up defensive keys. Frady plays at right tackle, so chirps I have seen on Twitter about him being a left tackle option and Chaplin moving inside probably isn't going to manifest. His first step is really good, but once he gets there, he really seems to struggle to get squared up and stay engaged on blocks. He is a good scheme fit, but he will be playing against higher caliber athletes, so his ability to stay engaged on blocks (should be a strength given his footwork) is a bit worrisome.
To me, the top five OL would be Chaplin-B. Moore-K. Moore-Meadows (can he adapt to a position change after playing LT in the spring?)- Clements.
Frady would be the top backup at right tackle. Meadows the backup at left. Shick is the backup at both guards. Center... no idea. I am not sold on Hollifield. If a young guy gets in the mix, I expect it to be Ghannam, who had some good moments as a early enrollee freshman in the spring game.
Thanks for the update. Your thoughts on this line as run blockers? As Pass blockers? Too early to assess, i would imagine. Just has me worried more than anything else, except for offensive play call/coaching. We are a green team all around. Love the direction of our team long term though.
I have so little film on Chaplin that I regard him as an unknown. I have serious concerns about both the Moore brothers because until I see footwork improvement in game situations, their tendency to plant and push instead of maintain leg drive will always be a tough obstacle to overcome (see Chung, Kyle as an example- it is a hard habit to break.) After learning that Clement was playing through an injury, I am hopeful. He was very good in his first year as a starter and looked good when the Hokies reverted to more zone late in the year. Meadows looked very comfortable and aggressive with good footwork in the run game in the spring. Schick is limited... he can play in a pinch, but will be exposed with a lot of snaps, similar to Hanson last season.
Pass pro is a mystery. The spring game was mostly RPO/play action, which covers up some of the pass pro deficiencies. Chaplin did not look good against Liberty in pass pro, and he is the blindside guy. Even with more options in the WR room, this team has to run the football effectively to be more efficient in the passing game.
haha... +several for the: "Chung, Kyle" blast.
Eye know exactly what you mean... although I could not have pulled that one myself. Good1.
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That said... even-G1 is a serially bulls-eye for any opposing D.
Head-up or outside-eye our guy until he proves he can whoop their Dt1.
Footwork is a very light concern. Agry here.
This is why we four are quietly saying: beware of the offensive upgrades being this year upfront downgraded. Skill may be a good deal ahead of the rest of the O-huddle here.
b.street
What about the youngsters? The four true freshman I assume all need to get bigger? Would also guess Johnny Dickson and Hunter McClain not going to factor in at all. Johnny Garrett a maybe?
Dickson is the one kinda slight to modest surprise... he too is getting a lotta looks.
Though this is more so code for things Top-down being needy than a mover and shaker going bottoms-up; at least to us four.
Though yah; he is one of the few with some possible headroom.
Meadows and the WVa. boy as well.
Though they need that to ripen in '24 if not beyond; to be fair to them.
HTH's
b.street
Glad to see you say that, because personally I thought he looked overwhelmed in the spring game. But I also didn't watch very closely.
The Johnnies looked especially lost, which sucks because they'll probably both be listed on the two deep. Maaybe Johnny Garrett will improve enough to get on the field but I won't count on it
It was up and down. You have to look what the skills are, and do you see flashes when evaluating a freshman. I thought he had some good reps where he flashed the kind of movement and power I look for. Did he look lost and overwhelmed some too? Absolutely. But, there are guys who have "the clay" and some who just don't, no matter what kind of work gets put in. I think Gannahm has the clay.
Mr.. g.Webb has been getting a lotta looksees this very week...
💯
b.street
Hey French, always glad to hear your thoughts. However, given the current state of things here at TKP, I'm gonna need you to reply back to this comment and every other one on this post with nonsense just so people on the outside think that you're dispensing even more wisdom about the offensive line.
kthanxbye
I just hate that all the news regarding realignment is dampening enthusiasm for the coming season. I don't think this team is going to break out and contend (too many questions on OL, linebacker, and safety to be comfortable) but I do want to see the team re-establish a physical, competitive, entertaining brand of football. I think they have added some good pieces (I have been vocal about how I think Tuten and Lane in particular are going to make a significant difference.) Plus, given the misery of the last 16 months in both my personal life and the activities I seek for respite (watching football and hockey, fishing- haven't been since early June and no time slated to go), I just want some damned positivity.
Let me assure you, the 2nd layer has a lotta testables; measurables...
...are they actually Playars, tho'?
Hmmmmmmm...
That Eye am wondering/waiting to see... although I would know why you are so concerned here?
oLine=very... we are down one 1 already and we ain't got no real home-position C. Depth=???
Safety=well, we don't have a real Fs; LOL...
So, those two I get... I am hopeful the middle layer has potential. (*the* solicitous and therefore the most trapping word in all of athletics, however).
time=telll...
b.street
It really sucks. Nicole Auerbach had a really good quote about it on The Athletic's pod where she said that fans are too anxious to even enjoy that actual football is less than 3 weeks away. It's very frustrating.
In general, College Football has to get their (off)season organized. This is the second time in the last year that I've prioritized following off the field stuff instead of actual football (Transfer Portal/Recruiting instead of bowl season, realignment instead of fall camp). I hate that I do this, but I feel like I have a limited ability to follow everything.
The NFL does a fantastic job of organizing their entire off season so there's never two big media topics going on at once. I understand that CFB doesn't have the top down leadership (or, really any leadership at all), but the current schedule is destroying the media, coaches, and fans. Something has to give.
Here are some pass pro drills. Frady wins the opening rep working at I believe left guard. On the last rep, Powell absolutely dusts Chaplin with a spin move.
https://youtube.com/shorts/CQ45Cv8Jv4Y?feature=share
That was a VERY quick spin move.....encouraging!
If you watch UF-FSU from last season Powell is primed for a big year
You could say he's ready for Pryme Time.
... you could, but would you really want to?
Yeah Frady beat Lemar Law then loses to Pheldarius Payne. Payne looks quick there, hope he can crack the two deep
I keep hearing about our returning big 3 vets in the middle (Pollard / Kendricks / Fuga) and then who from the youngsters behind them like Law, Madison and Givens will be the #4 DT.
Meanwhile Payne has quietly rehabbed and from some of these clips is looking like he may make some noise in his final season.
Ok hear me out what about Peter Moore at guard so that we have Moore talent on the Oline.
Only a Mooron would suggest such a thing.
Have you been talking to my wife?