Nelson and Mahon per Andrew Callahan
- Thread starter KnightSlayer
- Start date
The general theory is that the OL, once the starters are chosen, should work together 99% of the time to develop cohesion and timing. On the D-line, yes, rotation is important, but doesn't seem to be the formula for good O-line play. If nothing else, the 2017 PSU team should be able to handle injuries on the O-line by bringing in capable replacements.
Ryan Bates is Zack Martin. I doubt he'll bail after this year, but barring injury, he is looking at a very successful NFL career.
the beauty of that statement is that even if a team plays only 5 OL, his statement ("up to 10") is still correct.
Most good teams play 5 OL.
Don't know any good teams that play 10 (until game is over).
I'm not saying it will happen or that it happens frequently, but to BMW's point, Bates could leave for the NFL after this season if he wanted to.
Highly unlikely; unlikely even after junior year. The record of OL entering the NFL early is not good. Some very high draft choices have been wasted on people who were not ready, and NFL teams hate wasting high draft picks.
What that means is that teams will be reluctant to draft an early entry OG or OT in the 1st 2 rounds. And if you're not getting picked in the 1st 2 rounds, there's no particular reason to come out early.
As good as Mr. Bates is, he has a world of upside and will get better for at least two more years. Think about how good Jeff Hartings got in his 3rd and 4th seasons as he got stronger. Mr. Bates has a chance to be that good.
Maybe not the last time (and a DL), but Maybin was a RS Soph who made $50 million + coming out early.
LOL you want to make an NFL general manager jump (though you're risking giving him a heart attack, so don't do it!), you sneak up behind him and whisper in his ear, "Maybin"
At NFL University, Maybin is taught in Draft 101 -- probably the best case study in what not to do in the draft. He was two years away from being physically ready for the NFL, and by leaving early, he never got a chance to get physically ready.
You can't blame Maybin. If they want to offer you first round money, generally you have to take it.
But Maybin is the NFL executive's version of a slasher movie -- you wake up at night screaming in terror and/or you die. A pick like that sets a franchise back two years, and is often career-ending for an NFL GM.
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Think Greg Robinson, Auburn 3 yrs, 1st rounder, how is his NFL career going? NFL doesn't like getting fooled too often
McGovern will be starting Center and will play only Center going forward
Don't think we'll see both Mahon and Nelson on the starting lineup, and if we do they will both be Guards.
That would be a damn good starting OL, we would have Palmer, Menet, Miranda, Nelson, Fries, Gellerstadt as backups... NICE!
Among their other attributes, that possible starting line of Bates, Gonzales, McGovern, Mahon, and Wright would average 326# per man. That's NFL big; don't know the exact numbers for Wisconsin, or tOSU, but doubtful there is a bigger, stronger starting O-line in the conference. There's more to being a good O-line than size and strength, but that's not a bad place to start.
"offensive line did not change over the course of spring practices with Ryan Bates, Steven Gonzalez, Connor McGovern, Brendan Mahon and Chasz Wright filling out the first team from left to right."
That one totally makes sense. Mahon paired with less experienced (but incredibly talented) Wright, Bates paired with Gonzalez.
I feel like Nelson belongs in the starting lineup but I don't know who to take out. I think Nelson would have to play guard at this point to protect his knee... Maybe the Gonzo spot but Gonzo is really killing it from all indications.
Isn't this a bizarre conversation? With just a couple of exceptions, pretty much since 1995 our discussions about OL have been about what the soft spots are, what starter (or, a lot of years, what starters) aren't ready to play in the Big Ten.
It's just surreal to think about how far they've come. There's no question of ANY of the starters being ready to play -- the decisions will be based on athletic potential (maybe size, in Wright's case), experience, the right mix of the two, and just what lineups seem to operate best in practice. I.e. it might not be the best individual players, it's the best GROUP performance that Limegrover is probably trying to get.
It's just beyond belief. I don't even think the '94 team had OL depth like this. They had an incredible starting 5, 4 NFL players, 3 high NFL draft picks not counting Brady and plus they had very few injuries that season so they didn't have to test the depth.
I hope people like Gellerstadt, Fries and Menet get to play this season. But really if they don't play much until 2018, that's okay, they still get three years to start and that's how it works at the top programs -- OL aren't generally expected to play much until their junior academic year.
That one totally makes sense. Mahon paired with less experienced (but incredibly talented) Wright, Bates paired with Gonzalez.
I feel like Nelson belongs in the starting lineup but I don't know who to take out. I think Nelson would have to play guard at this point to protect his knee... Maybe the Gonzo spot but Gonzo is really killing it from all indications.
Isn't this a bizarre conversation? With just a couple of exceptions, pretty much since 1995 our discussions about OL have been about what the soft spots are, what starter (or, a lot of years, what starters) aren't ready to play in the Big Ten.
It's just surreal to think about how far they've come. There's no question of ANY of the starters being ready to play -- the decisions will be based on athletic potential (maybe size, in Wright's case), experience, the right mix of the two, and just what lineups seem to operate best in practice. I.e. it might not be the best individual players, it's the best GROUP performance that Limegrover is probably trying to get.
It's just beyond belief. I don't even think the '94 team had OL depth like this. They had an incredible starting 5, 4 NFL players, 3 high NFL draft picks not counting Brady and plus they had very few injuries that season so they didn't have to test the depth.
I hope people like Gellerstadt, Fries and Menet get to play this season. But really if they don't play much until 2018, that's okay, they still get three years to start and that's how it works at the top programs -- OL aren't generally expected to play much until their junior academic year.
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anon_1eeb2b426hv3y
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IMHO, 05 was more about MROB being a wrecking ball than OL facilitating plays. Some serious players on that OL, but some real weaknesses as well.
Gonzalez and Wright were pushed into action because of injuries. We'll see if they can step it up this year.
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anon_1eeb2b426hv3y
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Menet and Fries will definitely play this season. Not sure about Gelerstadt. I'm not doubting him. I just haven't heard enough about him to have an opinion.
And yes, it's surreal but nice.
OMG yeah, we PSU fans have not seen anything like this. Wright at 355, Mahon at 315 (and a lean 315), McGovern could be 320 (which is just huge for a center). And Gonzo at 345 and mobile enough to pull. Incredible.
Let's say you're the left side of the DL for Iowa, which should have a good DL. You're 285 at DE which is big, 295 at DT, and Josey Jewell at 240. You are outweighed by 50 pounds a man. If PSU gets just LITTLE forward momentum they will move the LOS 2 yards which gives Trace and Barkley all kinds of nice options. 3 yard gain is pretty automatic. But if it turns out PSU can dominate at some of these positions, say ERASE a DE, then the options get even better.
Normally the weakness of huge lines is pass blocking, but that was one of the big surprises last year. Bates Wright held up very well even against some good pass rushing teams.
Still, that might be the stiffest test this year -- can these guys hold their own against Michigan and Ohio State's 5-star DEs.
Agree, but they both caught on really fast, did surprisingly well -- especially Wright at tackle. A lot of people expected him to struggle getting thrown in so young, and he really didn't. Which of course is a testament to a 5 star OL coach.
Yeah, I esp. like McGovern at Center (an upgrade in size and ability over Gaia), and size overall in the G-C-G middle of the line; in 2015, and even frequently in 2016, we were vulnerable to a strong rush up the middle, a major factor in Barkley being thrown for losses. We know Barkley can take advantage of operating in space.
On the outside rush, yes, that's a question. Here's where improved blocking at TE, with Bowers (listed at 269#) can play a role.
Yeah, I esp. like McGovern at Center (an upgrade in size and ability over Gaia), and size overall in the G-C-G middle of the line; in 2015, and even frequently in 2016, we were vulnerable to a strong rush up the middle, a major factor in Barkley being thrown for losses. We know Barkley can take advantage of operating in space.
On the outside rush, yes, that's a question. Here's where improved blocking at TE, with Bowers (listed at 269#) can play a role.
Yeah short yardage is going to be a whole different ballgame this season. 3rd and 2 should be a high percentage conversion for a change.
I'd be happy just to eliminate the negative yards. I rewatched the Indiana game the other day and it was horrible how often Barkley got hit in the backfield and McSorley was forced to throw deep on 3rd down.
Yeah, I caught that run once again this morning. That's on his all-time highlight reel, for sure.
I think the oline will be very solid this year, but a 2nd coming of the '94 oline is a bit of a stretch.
Yes they will play. But if Mahon and Nelson are truely healthy, I don't believe either Menet or Fries will be in the starting lineup for Akron....
I believe Mahon practiced at Guard this past Spring, but his history is that he played better at OT. And I don't believe Nelson has ever played anywhere on the Oline except OT. Nelson moving to Guard, especially given that the staff may want to limit his contact participation coming off the injury, could happen, but I'm betting on Nelson staying at OT. And if he is really healthy, being the starting RT.....
Actually, think about this for a moment. Bates's run alongside Barkley probably now ranks up there with Kyle Brady's folding the Illinois line as if it were an accordion.
Now's the perfect time for a video of this. Anyone? Anyone?
any precedent for this? Where you been!!!
BTW let it run, and tell me if that is a catch by Kenny Jackson for a TD in the days of review!
