Keeping Desmond Bland

[HominidHusker]

... is critical.

Even if we could somehow “get by” without him, our depth on OL is still gonna be a problem.

I’ve said before I don’t care if commits take other visits, but it doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous.

Coaches will need to seal the deal on this one.

 

[Headcard]

Did he visit FSU this weekend?

 

[HuskerLLM]

Did he visit FSU this weekend?

He has set an OV

 

[HUSKERFAN66]

... is critical.

Even if we could somehow “get by” without him, our depth on OL is still gonna be a problem.

I’ve said before I don’t care if commits take other visits, but it doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous.

Coaches will need to seal the deal on this one.

Agreed

 

[Huskerwisdom]

... is critical.

Even if we could somehow “get by” without him, our depth on OL is still gonna be a problem.

I’ve said before I don’t care if commits take other visits, but it doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous.

Coaches will need to seal the deal on this one.

I really want to keep him because I think he's perfect for our offense.

That said, people are underestimating our depth. Hixson and Raridan played well when they saw the field this year and we have a number of youngsters who I expect to take a step forward also (including Jurgens who is now at center).

I want Bland because he's already mature and the kind of athlete we want in the interior of the line, but our depth this year was more due to not having had long enough in the system for the blocking scheme and the S&C. Another year of playing together will add more depth than anything else.

 

[HominidHusker]

Not including 2019 recruits we will only have 9 scholarship linemen next year, not even a two deep. 2019 Freshmen will be projects.
One scholly is senior Gaylord who frankly has never seemed to get above mediocrity, and another is Jurgens who has never played OL.
A couple young unproven guys (Sichterman, Bando, Farniok) we dont know much about, and a few younger walk-ons with at least potential round out the group.

It’s not impossible to develop what we have, but the depth also doesn’t seem like the best recipe for success as it stands.

An experienced player like Bland could go a long way towards filling the gap.

 

[CatColumbia]

Don’t be surprised to see a walk on or two rise up in the spring.

 

[Huskerwisdom]

Don’t be surprised to see a walk on or two rise up in the spring.

Hixson's already in the 2 deep, Hunter has gotten good reviews as well. guys like Shefke and Forbes are also guys with potential that the coaches seem to like.

 

[TruHusker]

I really want to keep him because I think he's perfect for our offense.

That said, people are underestimating our depth. Hixson and Raridan played well when they saw the field this year and we have a number of youngsters who I expect to take a step forward also (including Jurgens who is now at center).

I want Bland because he's already mature and the kind of athlete we want in the interior of the line, but our depth this year was more due to not having had long enough in the system for the blocking scheme and the S&C. Another year of playing together will add more depth than anything else.

I have seen this type if post before and it raises questions for me. Why is Bland more of a fit for our O versus others? Hixson and Raridan didn't play enough meaningful snaps to get any good information so are you basing this on the mere fact they were the first ones up when needed? Someone has to tell what is so different about blocking in the Frost spread versus most other O's? They drive block, reach block, cut block, pull, pin, chip and all the rest. Why does everyone think this O requires more or something different of the offensive linemen?

 

[Huskerwisdom]

I have seen this type if post before and it raises questions for me. Why is Bland more of a fit for our O versus others? Hixson and Raridan didn't play enough meaningful snaps to get any good information so are you basing this on the mere fact they were the first ones up when needed? Someone has to tell what is so different about blocking in the Frost spread versus most other O's? They drive block, reach block, cut block, pull, pin, chip and all the rest. Why does everyone think this O requires more or something different of the offensive linemen?

this is a good primer for what Kelly looked for in an offensive lineman:

https://fishduck.com/2013/02/developing-offensive-linemen-for-the-zone-scheme/

Aggressive zone blocking schemes with a lot of pulling are still not the norm in college ball (although most teams do a bit of both). Add wider splits and the pace and a lot of typical linemen will struggle to reach their spots or to keep moving at the speed required during the entire game. Foster this year was often reaching due to the width of the splits and the lack of footspeed to get to his spots this year. He had the power, but the quickness was likely more suited to a more typical blocking scheme.

In the B10 we also need an emphasis on power, and I look at a guy like Bland as someone who can play at the speed and quickness we want, but who can also knock people off the ball inside.

 

[obobbo]

doesn't look good,when he sits up a visit there ,before even visiting here.

 

[Harry Caray]

doesn't look good,when he sits up a visit there ,before even visiting here.

He's visited here several times, including last summer as well as back in high school.

 

[obobbo]

thanks for info.i missed it

 

[TruHusker]

this is a good primer for what Kelly looked for in an offensive lineman:

https://fishduck.com/2013/02/developing-offensive-linemen-for-the-zone-scheme/

Aggressive zone blocking schemes with a lot of pulling are still not the norm in college ball (although most teams do a bit of both). Add wider splits and the pace and a lot of typical linemen will struggle to reach their spots or to keep moving at the speed required during the entire game. Foster this year was often reaching due to the width of the splits and the lack of footspeed to get to his spots this year. He had the power, but the quickness was likely more suited to a more typical blocking scheme.

In the B10 we also need an emphasis on power, and I look at a guy like Bland as someone who can play at the speed and quickness we want, but who can also knock people off the ball inside.

The article you linked is from 2013. Zone blocking has been around for a long time even in the college coaching ranks. There is nothing new and unique in any of this. Frost and Austin might be looking for certain body traits but to say we look for something totally different is not true. Shoot, we were pulling linemen when I coached HS ball. Did you see Notre Dame pull the left guard and tackle to the right only to run to the left. Point is show me a college team that doesn't pull a lineman.

If you take the criteria from the 2013 article I am going to guess a large number of teams would have most of the same things they are looking for. Most all run a spread these days.

 

[Huskerwisdom]

a lot run zone blocking schemes, almost every team runs some of it as I said before. I also said teams pull as well. But not many teams will do so as much as Frost/Kelly do. Their offenses are tightly integrated with scheme and blocking system and much more aggressive and athletic.

Either way, though, believe what you want to believe.

 

[BigRedLar]

Last minute OV. We've been down this road before. Rarely works out for us. Fingers crossed.

 

[TruHusker]

a lot run zone blocking schemes, almost every team runs some of it as I said before. I also said teams pull as well. But not many teams will do so as much as Frost/Kelly do. Their offenses are tightly integrated with scheme and blocking system and much more aggressive and athletic.

Either way, though, believe what you want to believe.

I believe what I see not what I hear. I am not a film junkie anymore, had enough spending every Sunday afternoon/evening through a HS football season watching film. I have watched our linemen and read the "theories" of the "scheme" differences but the coaches are not asking any more than other coaches ask but the perception is we are doing all sorts of exotic blocking schemes.

 

[Huskerwisdom]

I believe what I see not what I hear. I am not a film junkie anymore, had enough spending every Sunday afternoon/evening through a HS football season watching film. I have watched our linemen and read the "theories" of the "scheme" differences but the coaches are not asking any more than other coaches ask but the perception is we are doing all sorts of exotic blocking schemes.

In the same way Frost has an offense filled with things other teams do, but it is unique in the way it comes together, the OL does things every other team does, but it's the combination of things and the way they do it that sets it apart.

Few teams run the ball like we want to, but with that kind of pace.

To use Austin's words:

"When I look at the game film from last year on these guys, generally speaking there is not a whole bunch, these guys were in a zone scheme last year. They ran power, they ran stretch and pulls, and zone reads. So, things that they have already done in the past we are just teaching a little different. It is a little bit more spread, up tempo. They have to be in shape. They have to be able to communicate fast and in a hurry. They have to be able to change and adjust before the play, and mid play in some cases because of the fast defenses and the adjustments they will make"

and

"Now, when I am off the road recruiting, essentially it is been about two months since I have seen those guys, and I can already tell that their bodies are changing. They are reducing fat and increasing lean muscle mass. I’m excited about the way they have attacked the weight room, thus far."

One of the reasons we like guys like Bland is because he's a solid guy at around 295 who isn't carrying bad weight and can move. He's playing OT right now, and theoretically could even play it now, but I think he is much better suited to OG for us due to his feet. He doesn't have to change his body to play the right way for us.

That's important because we can do some substition on the OL (I expect more next year as people will have played together), but the communication side is hard if you can't have the unit on the field together. and you can't do that unless they are in exceptional shape and I expect to see more pulls as we get quicker and in better shape.. in addition to the linemen getting further downfield on running plays - I like Foster and Farmer, but they can't do what we're going to want to do eventually.

I don't know why you think something has to be exotic to be different. Yes, more teams run spread now and more teams play in tempo, but it's relatively few that do what Frost does. Think of it from Bland's perspective. There are teams that might even want to add 20 lbs to him and play him inside so that he can lose some athleticism, but anchor a bit better and maybe have more pop against a DT. We want his pop, but we want him to move a lot and for play after play.. same as others until you add up the pace and endurance needed to maintain it

https://www.omaha.com/huskers/carri...cle_cb5ed8b4-a249-5c86-85d1-54b414ff4bc8.html

 

[Frost4NU]

Don’t be surprised to see a walk on or two rise up in the spring.

or see Benhart starting at right tackle next year

 

[stonesak]

He's visited here several times, including last summer as well as back in high school.

Willie Taggart is very disrespectful.

 

[TruHusker]

In the same way Frost has an offense filled with things other teams do, but it is unique in the way it comes together, the OL does things every other team does, but it's the combination of things and the way they do it that sets it apart.

Few teams run the ball like we want to, but with that kind of pace.

To use Austin's words:

"When I look at the game film from last year on these guys, generally speaking there is not a whole bunch, these guys were in a zone scheme last year. They ran power, they ran stretch and pulls, and zone reads. So, things that they have already done in the past we are just teaching a little different. It is a little bit more spread, up tempo. They have to be in shape. They have to be able to communicate fast and in a hurry. They have to be able to change and adjust before the play, and mid play in some cases because of the fast defenses and the adjustments they will make"

and

"Now, when I am off the road recruiting, essentially it is been about two months since I have seen those guys, and I can already tell that their bodies are changing. They are reducing fat and increasing lean muscle mass. I’m excited about the way they have attacked the weight room, thus far."

One of the reasons we like guys like Bland is because he's a solid guy at around 295 who isn't carrying bad weight and can move. He's playing OT right now, and theoretically could even play it now, but I think he is much better suited to OG for us due to his feet. He doesn't have to change his body to play the right way for us.

That's important because we can do some substition on the OL (I expect more next year as people will have played together), but the communication side is hard if you can't have the unit on the field together. and you can't do that unless they are in exceptional shape and I expect to see more pulls as we get quicker and in better shape.. in addition to the linemen getting further downfield on running plays - I like Foster and Farmer, but they can't do what we're going to want to do eventually.

I don't know why you think something has to be exotic to be different. Yes, more teams run spread now and more teams play in tempo, but it's relatively few that do what Frost does. Think of it from Bland's perspective. There are teams that might even want to add 20 lbs to him and play him inside so that he can lose some athleticism, but anchor a bit better and maybe have more pop against a DT. We want his pop, but we want him to move a lot and for play after play.. same as others until you add up the pace and endurance needed to maintain it

https://www.omaha.com/huskers/carri...cle_cb5ed8b4-a249-5c86-85d1-54b414ff4bc8.html

Well, you just proved my point. Everyone is making it sound like there is some kind of exotic blocking that no one else does. Not true. Speed, tempo, quick decisions are common these days among many teams.

Frost adds some wrinkles to the O but that doesn't change the requirements of the O line - they have to be in shape and think fast - duh, who didn't know that?

You and others want to make it out like we have some unique blocking schemes, styles and coaching - what are they? They are basic, just watch the darn games. Being in shape and adjusting the play quickly is NOT different.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

if some programs are selling him hard as a tackle and we are primarily telling him he is an OG or center then that might hurt us. It might be the truth, but tackles are generally more valuable and paid more in the NFL

 

[73 Red I]

if some programs are selling him hard as a tackle and we are primarily telling him he is an OG or center then that might hurt us. It might be the truth, but tackles are generally more valuable and paid more in the NFL

Interior linemen are becoming more valuable to the NFL with the integration of spreads. Yes left tackles are a premium, but not at 6'3".

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

Interior linemen are becoming more valuable to the NFL with the integration of spreads. Yes left tackles are a premium, but not at 6'3".

no doubt he's not a tackle in the NFL - not sure if other programs are willing to break that news to him before he signs a LOI

 

[Huskerwisdom]

Well, you just proved my point. Everyone is making it sound like there is some kind of exotic blocking that no one else does. Not true. Speed, tempo, quick decisions are common these days among many teams.

Frost adds some wrinkles to the O but that doesn't change the requirements of the O line - they have to be in shape and think fast - duh, who didn't know that?

You and others want to make it out like we have some unique blocking schemes, styles and coaching - what are they? They are basic, just watch the darn games. Being in shape and adjusting the play quickly is NOT different.

If you want to say that the OL will be the same as with Riley and Cavanaugh go right ahead. Yes, they both use similar techniques, but that's about where it ends

like I said, believe whatever you want

 

[Huskerwisdom]

Interior linemen are becoming more valuable to the NFL with the integration of spreads. Yes left tackles are a premium, but not at 6'3".

he's not an OT at the next level, although he might be a useful utility guy as he breaks into the league and being able to play OT in a pinch wouldn't hurt (Isaiah Wynn, Chris Hubbard, Charles Leno are all about that height/size), but his best full time position should be OG.

If the coaches wanted him at OT for us, I wouldn't mind. really up to Austin and Frost

 

[TheBeav815]

a lot run zone blocking schemes, almost every team runs some of it as I said before. I also said teams pull as well. But not many teams will do so as much as Frost/Kelly do. Their offenses are tightly integrated with scheme and blocking system and much more aggressive and athletic.

Either way, though, believe what you want to believe.

You see the play on Friday where they pulled two guys one way and brought another puller back the other direction to lead for the ball carrier? What a nightmare for LBs to read.

 

[Harry Caray]

Austin has says that he wants the best 5 O-Lineman on the field, regardless of position. So tell him if he's better at the tackle position than Farniok, then we can move Farniok to guard.

 

[Headcard]

Has he said that he wants to play tackle or is it just an assumption? I haven’t seen it anywhere.