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Autullo mentions the position, likely our only weakness in 2008 on offense near the end of his recent update.

"Sophomore D.J. Young has moved from defensive tackle to offensive tackle "and he's a natural," according to Brandon. Brandon admitted that the offensive line is a concern, though perhaps the only one on a team that could be described as loaded. Proven veterans Kory Lichtensteiger, Drew Nystrom and Kevin Huelsman have graduated, leaving three vacancies to be won by a host of inexperienced players. Freshman Ben Bojicic or junior Brandon Curtis will likely replace Lichtensteiger at center. Curtis started at guard this year but played center in the spring when Lichtensteiger was out with a shoulder injury. Aaron Kent and Tyler Donahue may be the frontrunners to win the tackle positions.

"The backup kids have virtually no playing time and we've never gone into a season since I've been here this inexperienced on the offensive line," Brandon said. "It's the tackle spot I'm most concerned with.""

Its a position I never follow so I would love some insight from those of you out there who follow the position more closely. The easiest way to show what Autullo and Brandon project would be this depth chart.

LT Kent Sr.-
LG Steffy Jr.-Minturn Jr.
C Bojicic Fr.
RG Curtis Sr.-Fink Sr.
RT Donahue So.

The depth chart for the GMAC

LT 71 Drew Nystrom (6-5, 300, 5-Sr.)*
76 Aaron Kent (6-6, 291, r-Jr.)

LG 75 Shane Steffy (6-3, 302, r-So.)
70 Brady Minturn (6-4, 288, r-So.)

C 78 Kory Lichtensteiger (6-3, 300, 5-Sr.)*
65 Patrick Watson (6-5, 289, 5-Sr.)*

RG 55 Brandon Curtis (6-2, 285, r-Jr.)
74 Jeff Fink (6-5, 290, r-Jr.)

RT 73 Kevin Huelsman (6-5, 290, 5-Sr.)*
56 Tyler Donahue (6-6, 281, r-Fr.)

Globetrotter wrote:Autullo mentions the position, likely our only weakness in 2008 on offense near the end of his recent update.

"Sophomore D.J. Young has moved from defensive tackle to offensive tackle "and he's a natural," according to Brandon. Brandon admitted that the offensive line is a concern, though perhaps the only one on a team that could be described as loaded. Proven veterans Kory Lichtensteiger, Drew Nystrom and Kevin Huelsman have graduated, leaving three vacancies to be won by a host of inexperienced players. Freshman Ben Bojicic or junior Brandon Curtis will likely replace Lichtensteiger at center. Curtis started at guard this year but played center in the spring when Lichtensteiger was out with a shoulder injury. Aaron Kent and Tyler Donahue may be the frontrunners to win the tackle positions.

"The backup kids have virtually no playing time and we've never gone into a season since I've been here this inexperienced on the offensive line," Brandon said. "It's the tackle spot I'm most concerned with.""

Its a position I never follow so I would love some insight from those of you out there who follow the position more closely. The easiest way to show what Autullo and Brandon project would be this depth chart.

LT Kent Sr.-
LG Steffy Jr.-Minturn Jr.
C Bojicic Fr.
RG Curtis Sr.-Fink Sr.
RT Donahue So.

The depth chart for the GMAC

LT 71 Drew Nystrom (6-5, 300, 5-Sr.)*
76 Aaron Kent (6-6, 291, r-Jr.)

LG 75 Shane Steffy (6-3, 302, r-So.)
70 Brady Minturn (6-4, 288, r-So.)

C 78 Kory Lichtensteiger (6-3, 300, 5-Sr.)*
65 Patrick Watson (6-5, 289, 5-Sr.)*

RG 55 Brandon Curtis (6-2, 285, r-Jr.)
74 Jeff Fink (6-5, 290, r-Jr.)

RT 73 Kevin Huelsman (6-5, 290, 5-Sr.)*
56 Tyler Donahue (6-6, 281, r-Fr.)

Hmmm...I hope Blaine Schaffer reads this post. It seems a lot will be open after 2008!!

If this is our O line we are in trouble. Think about it we stuggled this year , among other things, because as we lost a 340 lb guard (Markray) and replaced him with a 285 lb. guard among other things. We also lost a 270 pound tight end blocking ( OD switched to tackle) This line is way too light.

We are too light on the defense end side of the ball as well. Even Tulsa had 270 pund ends. Don't want to sound like like Falconboy but you have to call it like it is. We play guys like Briggs who are really third down guys and it does show in the long run. Bright spot seems to be the tackle position- pretty solid there with good size.

Birddog

I wouldn't be shocked if one or both of the Middletown studs we got end up getting some time. It maybe a little unlikely but its not unconceivable.

Falconboy wrote:I wouldn't be shocked if one or both of the Middletown studs we got end up getting some time. It maybe a little unlikely but its not unconceivable.

You may be right, but generally speaking if you're relying on true freshman OL you're in bad shape at the position. Very rarely do freshmen play, and it's even more rare that they play well.

I think I made my position well known in the other thread. We've screwed this up by recruiting just two true OL over the last two years. This was after three lineman transferred after the 05 season and with the full knowledge that we would be losing five OL this year, three of them starters.

Sheehan is going to have to be very mobile because I think we will struggle up front next season.

Warthog wrote:I think I made my position well known in the other thread. We've screwed this up by recruiting just two true OL over the last two years. This was after three lineman transferred after the 05 season and with the full knowledge that we would be losing five OL this year, three of them starters.

Sheehan is going to have to be very mobile because I think we will struggle up front next season.

Kind of like we did w/ WR's a few years ago too. When Sharon/Sanders left, we were left very lean at that position for a year or maybe two if I remember correctly b/c for whatever reason we decided not to recruit that position.

Warthog wrote:
Sheehan is going to have to be very mobile because I think we will struggle up front next season.

Which makes me wonder if Nate Brown wouldn't be more suited to run the offense. Tyler just doesn't have really good scrambling ability that that of CMU's qb.

Falconboy wrote:

Warthog wrote:
Sheehan is going to have to be very mobile because I think we will struggle up front next season.

Which makes me wonder if Nate Brown wouldn't be more suited to run the offense. Tyler just doesn't have really good scrambling ability that that of CMU's qb.

Sheehan has plenty of scrambling ability.

He doesn't have quick-read/vision ability.

Ryan mentioned in his blog that Casey McHugh, a JUCO offensive lineman, is already enrolled at BG. Would seem that he should be expected to be in the mix. I couldn't find anything on him with a quick, cursory search, but he's obviously being brought into to make an immediate impact.

Warthog wrote:I think I made my position well known in the other thread. We've screwed this up by recruiting just two true OL over the last two years. This was after three lineman transferred after the 05 season and with the full knowledge that we would be losing five OL this year, three of them starters.

Sheehan is going to have to be very mobile because I think we will struggle up front next season.

Warthog, I have to agree with you at this point, because what you said has already started to come true. I remember you said on another thread that we weren't going to be prepared on the O-Line & that GB would blame their mistakes on youth. With his quote at the top of this thread it sounds like he is already worried about our OL & lack of experience heading in. Ugh.