Oline fixable?

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,114
2,395
98
Your description of the Vokolek TD is so precise you fail to mention it was with an unbalanced line. It's not hardly "the same play over and over."

NU ran 66 plays and used an unbalanced line 1 play.

Not exactly over and over.

Since you failed to mention the unbalanced line, that would be your revelation.

The more you think you know, the more you know you don't know.
Again, reading comprehension fails you. The general play is the same, blocking and formation may change which makes people think they are running the same play over and over. Just move on to someone else.
 

SLOHusker

Sophomore
Aug 7, 2001
2,740
123
0
Yes, yes I know this is unfair and the game has changed etc. but never understood why we went away from the linemen in the mid 90’s who were 6’2 to 6’5 ~ 300 lbs that were very athletic, could move, pull get into space etc. to big tall lumbering dudes who couldn’t move. Did the same with the linebackers and defensive ends. Started with solich who was running the same system more or less as TO, never made sense to me….
Height on the OL is overrated, just as it is at QB. I would rather have a guy who is 6'1 that drives people than a 6'8 guy that lumbers around. Only the tackle position really gains anything from height and the whole wingspan argument is debatable. I think in terms of frame you still need to be 6ft+ to hold the necessary weight but that's where the advantage ends. The closer you get to 7 the more trouble you have with leverage, IMHO.

We're also seeing a trend away from 6'6+ QBs and more to guys that are 6'0 that can just play. Height is great if you have it but it's just not that important unless you are a receiver or DB.
 

WHCSC

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2002
10,793
3,605
88
Height on the OL is overrated, just as it is at QB. I would rather have a guy who is 6'1 that drives people than a 6'8 guy that lumbers around. Only the tack position really gains anything from height. I think in terms of frame you still need to be 6ft+ to hold the necessary weight but that's where the advantage ends. The closer you get to 7 the more trouble you have with leverage, IMHO.

We're also seeing a trend away from 6'6+ QBs and more to guys that are 6'0 that can just play. Height is great if you have it but it's just not that important unless you are a receiver or DB.
Longer reach is a good thing for an OL. That usually comes with height.
 

dand84

All-Conference
Oct 28, 2017
3,429
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Man, I just want tough, mean guys that eat nails for breakfast and **** bricks and don’t look like the pillsbury dough boy walking in quicksand.
 

SLOHusker

Sophomore
Aug 7, 2001
2,740
123
0
Longer reach is a good thing for an OL. That usually comes with height.
I have my doubts about that. I want receivers with long arms and hands. OL that are extending their arms out are going to commit holding penalties or get injured. You need to get your body in front of the defender with footwork and have power and drive to push people. Some of the physical criteria used to evaluate players is just not that reliable an indicator of success.
 
Feb 2, 2005
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All sorts of opinions on here, no lack of those.

Some logic may be helpful, but not always welcome. Here is my attempt, as always, my opinion only.

1. One has to ask why we are seeing less than sparkling performances across the board on our OL? Just going by numbers, all these kids can't be bad naturally? There has to be a common thread going on here.

2. Frost wanted a certain body type, the tall guys which I believe have not turned out to be the fix he was looking for. I know the long arms and all that stuff was touted on here but just look at the guys who were drafted in the league in the first couple of rounds, none were the jolly green giant types that we went after. That needs to be reassessed.

3. Where is the flexibility/footwork/agility? The reason we can't run much outside stuff is because we are terrible at blocking in space. It has been that way for several years, this is nothing new. The only reason we throw to our RB is during a check downs, rarely a primary receiver as we need him for blocking. I have been critical of our line's footwork for several years although, from a cursory viewing this year, it is marginally better which isn't saying much.

4. We do need more and better athletes on the OL. Perhaps some shorter but aggressive and athletics kids who need to grow. O linemen will generally look like they are carrying extra bad weight, that is part of it.

5. We are not close to the point where we can line up and move teams back off the LOS. It is better this year but not by much.

6. More misdirection and quick passing game are offered as remedies. I hope people realize the entire offense is a misdirection. It is meant to be that way. As I see it, the reason we are getting some good releases on the deep balls is because we actually had a running threat from Grant the first few games. Teams have moved up, bringing a safety up to help in run support which opens up the deep ball. It also opens up your line to blocking longer. I know this is a shock but not every option for running and passing is available on every play. The D determines what you can do to a major extent, that is what CT is reading. He sees two deep safeties, you run the ball, a safety up, you have receivers open on the outside where these is now less help.

7. Why or why does everyone think the portal is going to solve our problems at OL? If a kid is a starter at anywhere U, why is he coming to Nebraska who has had little recent history of OL success? Maybe you get a G guy but now you probably need a year to develop him. How many transfers have we had in the last two years that have not played much meaningful time, even at Nebraska?

This entire offense is "misdirection". The TD play to Vok is a prime example. The LB reads the blocking/back going non play aide and bites long enough to allow the TE to come in behind them for the TD. What people are seeing or think they are seeing is running "up the middle" or "zone read" or whatever the play is that seems to be the same play over and over. Well, it is not. It may start with a QB handing to a RB but there are multiple options for blocking that we are not very good at most of the time.

Perhaps Raiola is making improvements with this group. I know they are rotating a lot of kids which is actually good. They can grade and decide who is really getting the job done instead of guessing.

Good stuff. I was waiting for you to chime in. I believe I read somewhere that the average NFL offensive lineman is 6'4" and about 320. I remember Urban Meyer mentioning once that what he looks for in an offensive tackle is someone that is a good basketball player because of their footwork. Footwork can be developed to a degree but it is definitely more difficult in season. One of our posters said we should be developing some HS tight ends into our OT. I think there's some merit in that.

I'm not thrilled with DR at this point but I think he's doing the best he can with what he inherited. I'm not opposed to MJ keeping him IF he has a solid plan for transforming the OL. I'm not sure there is a coach out there that could take this group to honorable mention All B1G.
 

itseasyas1-2-3

All-Conference
Sep 6, 2021
9,805
2,137
113
It's almost unbelievable how bad they are in pass pro sometimes.


Left to right Corcoran, Piper, Hixson, Lutovsky, Anthony.

Hixson has no one head up. By the time he looks left, all 4 DL are already past him.

With the low snap and CT fumbling it, then picking it up,
he got the throw off in 2.5 seconds from snap to throw.

How is NU not down to its 3rd or 4th unit QB by now?

The fastest move by any NU OLmen was Lutovsky flying backwards.
 

Dean Pope

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2001
13,288
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Just a crazy thought but maybe we need a TE to help with blocking when it's apparent our OT is overmatched.
It's stupid to insist as an OC that you must have five guys out in patterns when your five can't block their four. Frost never got that. Whipple also seems to care more about running his plays rather than adapting to what he has. I've been saying this for years now. Take two of our backup tackles and move them to TE.
 

Dean Pope

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2001
13,288
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Not fixable, but Whipple could help by adding more misdirection, draws, screens, quick hits, and yes 3-5 naked bootlegs QB runs to keep the LBs/S honest. The D is just flying to the RB in our obvious run sets.
Probably a moot point, but going QB under center would be a great counter to the pass rush. Disguise things a bit. Have the QB take different drops, change the launchpoint so that that outside rushers don't know for sure where they should be trying to get to. Run some draws off that giving the RB a running start with momentum. Break a few arm tackles and slow down that pass rush. You can obviously run some handoffs with play action or bootlegs off that-- two plays which are more effective when the QB has his back turned to the defense (which doesn't happen in the shotgun)

I'm just being philosophical here. If your line stinks, I think doing a bit of variety isn't a bad thing. But our linemen do not communicate with each other and "dumbing things down" for them is probably the safer way to go.
 

yunginsNU2

All-Conference
May 24, 2006
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Probably a moot point, but going QB under center would be a great counter to the pass rush. Disguise things a bit. Have the QB take different drops, change the launchpoint so that that outside rushers don't know for sure where they should be trying to get to. Run some draws off that giving the RB a running start with momentum. Break a few arm tackles and slow down that pass rush. You can obviously run some handoffs with play action or bootlegs off that-- two plays which are more effective when the QB has his back turned to the defense (which doesn't happen in the shotgun)

I'm just being philosophical here. If your line stinks, I think doing a bit of variety isn't a bad thing. But our linemen do not communicate with each other and "dumbing things down" for them is probably the safer way to go.
The 1 time they went under center as you suggest... victory formation and they fumbled it.. I will pass on that
 

konaki

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2002
11,599
2,946
113
I'm going to say the only way to fix the OL is to pay top dollar for the best OL coach in the country and have him tear down our OL group and build it back up, same goes for our DL coach. Quick fix is to bring in great transfers through the portal who are proven and you do that with great NIL money.
 
Jul 11, 2022
2,244
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I was watching close how badly our oline played last night.. they were ok in certain run blocking but overall just not good. Clearly DR isnt the answer and I know with Teddy hurt for the year and Nouilli out.. can they find guys to fix this? Hixson was decent but honestly the rest are polar bears on skates.so many whiffs out there... I did like the mesh and short crosses with CT rolling out of the pocket but damn man who needs a shot on that oline that hasnt gotten one?
Yes, its fixable but not by Donovan Raiola. Should have never been hired to begin with. It doesn't take anyone with very much intelligence to see that
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,426
12,842
78
Bill Bedenbaugh could beat Ohio St. with our current guys. We have terrible/horrible players development. Ex.: Matt Farniok
Farniok was the third option at guard for the Cowboys and he failed miserably when pressed in to action. He was so bad that they signed a retired o lineman to replace him asap.
 

redwine65

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2010
10,844
2,161
113
The coaching change hasn't made much of a difference. The kids have size but maybe they need two Offensive line coaches instead of one.

NoPlayerPosHtWt (lbs)AgeYrHometown
77Hunter AnthonyOL6' 6"325 lbs23Junior 2VTuttle, Oklahoma
73Broc BandoOL6' 5"295 lbs24Senior 3VLincoln, Nebraska
74Brant BanksOL6' 8"300 lbsSophomore 1VHouston, Texas
54Bryce BenhartOL6' 9"315 lbsSophomore 1VLakeville, Minnesota
58Ian BoerkircherOL6' 6"285 lbsJunior 2VAurora, Nebraska
79Alex ConnOL6' 6"310 lbsSophomore 1VDerby, Kansas
69Turner CorcoranOL6' 6"300 lbsSophomore 1VLawrence, Kansas
51Justin Evans-JenkinsOL6' 1"290 lbsFreshman HSEast Orange, New Jersey
75Trent HixsonOL6' 4"305 lbs23Senior 3VOmaha, Nebraska
50Sam HoskinsonOL6' 1"240 lbsSophomore 1VOmaha, Nebraska
59Henry LutovskyOL6' 6"310 lbsSophomore 1VCrawfordsville, Iowa
77Michael LynnOL6' 6"295 lbsSophomore 1VGreenwood Village, Colorado
67Joey MancinoOL6' 3"280 lbsSophomore 1VHolmdel, New Jersey
70Keegan MenningOL6' 5"325 lbsSophomore 1VFremont, Nebraska
66Ezra MillerOL6' 6"310 lbsSophomore 1VHolstein, Iowa
53Riley MosesOL6' 2"290 lbsSophomore 1VFairmont, Nebraska
63Nouredin NouiliOL6' 4"315 lbsJunior 2VFrankfurt, Germany
61Dylan ParrottOL6' 5"340 lbsFreshman HSEldridge, Iowa
57Ethan PiperOL6' 2"295 lbsSophomore 1VNorfolk, Nebraska
65Teddy ProchazkaOL6' 10"320 lbsSophomore 1VElkhorn, Nebraska
76Beau SchallerOL6' 2"270 lbsSophomore 1VWaukee, Iowa
76Eli SimonsonOL6' 6"295 lbsSophomore 1VFremont, Nebraska
62Noah StafurskyOL6' 4"325 lbsSophomore 1VYork, Nebraska
78Kevin Williams Jr.OL6' 5"325 lbsSenior 3VOmaha, Nebraska
out of 24 guys, you would think they could find 5 guys that can block
 

yunginsNU2

All-Conference
May 24, 2006
4,737
1,030
0
Hahahahah... the way I see it you have 2 choices.. make moves or make excuses.. sounds like there are more excuses than anything thus far when it comes to the oline... hopefully MJ can make the right noves to get some dudes in there that can be at min average.. I would take that at this point.
 

Headcard

Heisman
Feb 2, 2005
192,508
20,877
113
Hahahahah... the way I see it you have 2 choices.. make moves or make excuses.. sounds like there are more excuses than anything thus far when it comes to the oline... hopefully MJ can make the right noves to get some dudes in there that can be at min average.. I would take that at this point.

I think at this point the moves are schematic like using RBs and TEs to block and moving the pocket. Because our S & C program has made these guys sow and immobile and that can't be fixed much during the season.
 

konaki

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2002
11,599
2,946
113
Interesting quotes from coach Whipple about last weeks practice leading up to Rutgers and this weeks practice leading up to Purdue. I really don't know what to think about it except we may have some lazy linemen who aren't doing their jobs and need to be pushed.

This is why you need strong competition and mentally strong individuals at the OL and DL if some of the boys are not up to the task then sit them.

On offense, coordinator Mark Whipple said the O-line has rebounded this week from a dismal showing Friday night in New Jersey. "We had our worst week of practice" before the Rutgers game, Whipple said. "We only had one day to work hard. ... We weren't very good that day, and that carried over.

"We've completely flipped it," he said. "This has been the two best days we've had all year. And we had a day off. I think that helped."
 
Nov 18, 2013
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They cannot be great. They cannot be good. But I believe if they are actually applying themselves in practice they can be average and maybe even above average.

A O line is one of the few units that can improve over the season. I am not optimistic but I am hopeful.
 

NikkiSixx_rivals269993

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2013
9,783
2,445
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It's almost unbelievable how bad they are in pass pro sometimes.


So I'm watching that and thinking both guards look horrible..

I'm not a line person, but looking at that makes me think, If my guys can't block while moving backwards, I'd just as soon have them run block, going forward (as long as it's not more than 1-2 yards. At least you have a better shot of taking someone out of the picture.

Call me crazy, but I'd try to stop the whole back pedaling thing, since it's clear that they can't do it. If even they try to stand them up at the los.. somehow that seems a better outcome.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,426
12,842
78
So I'm watching that and thinking both guards look horrible..

I'm not a line person, but looking at that makes me think, If my guys can't block while moving backwards, I'd just as soon have them run block, going forward (as long as it's not more than 1-2 yards. At least you have a better shot of taking someone out of the picture.

Call me crazy, but I'd try to stop the whole back pedaling thing, since it's clear that they can't do it. If even they try to stand them up at the los.. somehow that seems a better outcome.
Your tackles can’t just stand them up at the LOS. I agree I would like a little bigger commitment to the run game but defenses are daring us to throw it deep with the way they attack our run game.
 
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HominidHusker

Senior
Jun 25, 2018
3,727
743
0
While the line is getting brutalized from lack of footwork, there’s also been a lot of baffling missed assignments or lack of communication as someone mentioned above.

The mental game could certainly still improve this year if the coach can make it happen (up in the air).

Jeremiah Sirles mentioned his top priority (also mentioned above) was the gritty, nasty attitude that he sees lacking with these guys.

Whip’s reference to improved practice could be simply related to a few guys sick of being the laughing stock and liable for Thompson’s well-being and finally tapping into that frustration to play with more heart. We’ll see…. it should not have taken this long.
 

leodisflowers

Senior
Feb 25, 2011
14,801
808
0
While the line is getting brutalized from lack of footwork, there’s also been a lot of baffling missed assignments or lack of communication as someone mentioned above.

The mental game could certainly still improve this year if the coach can make it happen (up in the air).

Jeremiah Sirles mentioned his top priority (also mentioned above) was the gritty, nasty attitude that he sees lacking with these guys.

Whip’s reference to improved practice could be simply related to a few guys sick of being the laughing stock and liable for Thompson’s well-being and finally tapping into that frustration to play with more heart. We’ll see…. it should not have taken this long.
Yeah, and Piper seems to be one of them,
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,426
12,842
78
I
Yeah, and Piper seems to be one of them,
Piper has been working at both center and guard so some of it might be mental processing errors between the two jobs

the other thing is that guys like Schiano are very good at designing front 7 schemes to confuse an O line. There are times where it looks like a guy missed an assignment too where it wasn’t his guy.
 
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x35goahs

Sophomore
Feb 4, 2005
334
137
0
I hate to say this but one thing I think needs to be analyzed is our strength and conditioning protocol. Our Oline is strong but holy hell they are slow and unathletic (Dline could be worse). We HAVE to be able to make our good athletes great athletes. We HAVE to be able to make take our decent athletes and make them good athletes and on down the chain. I like our strength coach but at this point everything has to scrutinized.
 

JabroniBlvd

Redshirt
Nov 5, 2005
1,390
4
0
We lost a 2nd round pick at Center and then lost our best two returning OL in Nouili and Teddy. Added all new offense and coaches. What did people expect at this moment?
 

konaki

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2002
11,599
2,946
113
We lost a 2nd round pick at Center and then lost our best two returning OL in Nouili and Teddy. Added all new offense and coaches. What did people expect at this moment?
Something better than we've seen, that's all.
 

itseasyas1-2-3

All-Conference
Sep 6, 2021
9,805
2,137
113
We lost a 2nd round pick at Center and then lost our best two returning OL in Nouili and Teddy. Added all new offense and coaches. What did people expect at this moment?
You would expect any one of the other 18 OLmen who have been here for 2-3-4 years to be able to step in and perform. Not at Cam's level, but at least be average.