O Line

[Class of 61]

I know that a lot of folks, many around me last nite, were all over the Falcons..."couldn't run, One dimensional etc"...much of that is true...but take a look at the O-line for a minute.
Our starting LT was our starting RT at beginning of season
Our starting LG is a true Freshman, playing because the starting LG had broken leg
Our starting C last nite (I honestly didn't realize this til I watched a bit of TV replay this morning) was our Starting LG at beginning of season, back from his broken leg, incidentally.
Our starting RG is the ONLY OL in the same position since start of season
Our starting RT was a DL until about 4 games ago or so.

Everything I ever learned about line play talks about the importance of continuity, knowing what the guys next to you are doing (or supposed to do etc.)
This OL situation is an absolute disaster...and the announcers referred to it a few times during the broadcast.. I'd like to think that we could (within the next year) develop a true "2 deep" that didn't have to rely on switching nearly everyone around. This, in my opinion, will be Clawson's greatest challenge, along with finding a solid running back that has some power as well as speed. Willie is a tough kid for his size, but that's it...for his size.
I know that injuries are a part of the game, but when you start the season shorthanded in one area (OL for ex.), it results in devastation of your Offense.

[Redwingtom]

Yeah...and late in the game after we got that fumble, the right guard or right tackle totally had the wrong call. He either thought it was a sweep or a run to his right as he pulled and just let the defender blow through untouched to his left and bury Geter in the backfield. That was a huge mistake.

Although on that play, their NT looked offside but the inept officials either didn't see it or could not because of the fog.

[Warthog]

Our starting RG is the ONLY OL in the same position since start of season

I'm thinking this is Torresso, so it should be added that he was defensive lineman last year at this time.

[Class of 61]

Our starting RG is the ONLY OL in the same position since start of season

I'm thinking this is Torresso, so it should be added that he was defensive lineman last year at this time.

No, it's the big kid from Middletown, Chip Robinson.

[Sidejudge]

Here is the lineup through ten games this year. As you can see from the CAMP projection of the starting lineup, we have not had this lineup which worked all spring and summer for the season this year. Then from the revised lineup to start the season, that group played only one complete game to start the season. Consider that Torresso was a defensive player up until this season and filled in at center having practiced at guard. Flewellyn is a true freshman. Roussos was moved from defense to offense in September to learn RT. Meanwhile, Tyler Donahue was the RT for the last two years, earning the starting spot in 2009. HE had not played LT since high school.

You need to remember that for the last couple of years we had been somewhat injury free. Last year when Ben Bojicic went down at Ball State, Shane Steffy moved from LG to C and Scott Lewis was the backup LG. When Brady Minturn missed a start at Buffalo last year, Blaec Walker was his backup as with Scott Albert missing time at the Miami game, Chip Robinson was the backup RG. And remember, we have had three O-Line coaches in the last three years.

In 2008, the line played intact the entire season.
The preseason lineup was:

LT- Walker LG - Lewis C - Bojicic RG - Robinson RT - Donahue

WEEK
1 Walker Torresso Bojicic Robinson Donahue
2 Walker Torresso Bojicic(a) Robinson Donahue
3 Walker Flewellyn Torresso Robinson Donahue
4 Walker(b) Flewellyn Torresso Robinson Donahue
5 Donahue Flewellyn Boijcic Toresso Robinson
6 Walker Torresso Bojicic Robinson Donahue
7 Donahue Torresso Bojicic Robinson Roussos
8 Donahue Flewellyn Bojicic(c) Robinson Roussos
9 Donahue Flewellyn Lewis Robinson Roussos
10 Donahue Flewellyn Lewis(d) Robinson Roussos

*Injured foot and required surgery to repair in camp
a- Injured during the game, Torresso moves to center and true freshman Flewellyn plays at LG
b- Injured at Michigan and plays injured
c- Injured in 2nd half, Lewis makes first appearance of season from broken foot
d Injured late in 3rd QTR and replaced by Boijcic

Anyone who has ever played or coached will tell how important it is for the O-Line to play together as a unit. Looking at the various line-ups we have had, one can see how tough it must be to develop that sense of unit when the lineups have been so much in a state of flux. Playing the O-Line is not as simple as being big and strong. Making adjustments in blocking schemes on pre-snap reads, communicating the calls, then as the play develops adjust the blocking based upon what the defense does is not something learned overnight. Remember that the class with Walker and Robinson included two other linemen expected to battle for starting positions but both left the team after last season and only one O-lineman was recruited last year as the coaches were expecting to have a compliment of 4 redshirt sophomores this season and with Walker's injury we are down to just one. This year's class has five linemen who have seen what it takes to compete at the D-1 level and with a great off-season should provide us with the depth next season that simply is not a luxury enjoyed this year.

One can only imagine how frustrating it must be for any of the O-Line on this year's team. They are getting a lot of heat over their production but last night only one sack. Consistency is critical for the success of any O-Lline so consider what these players have been through with new three coaches the last three years, playing in new positions almost "on the fly", playing injured (not hurt), shuffled lineups almost every week all the while playing with great effort. And consider giving these kids a break and let them get through these last two games unscathed and heal and regroup.

[Falconfreak90]

Not much of a chance to build any real chemistry on the O line this year....with injuries and shuffling players around.

Sidejudge, that was a complete post. Well said.

[hammb]

One can only imagine how frustrating it must be for any of the O-Line on this year's team. They are getting a lot of heat over their production but last night only one sack. Consistency is critical for the success of any O-Lline so consider what these players have been through with new three coaches the last three years, playing in new positions almost "on the fly", playing injured (not hurt), shuffled lineups almost every week all the while playing with great effort. And consider giving these kids a break and let them get through these last two games unscathed and heal and regroup.

That isn't true...I know there were 2 sacks on our 2nd to last drive alone. The one we started after the INT.

Either way your point still stands. The OL has definitely been a hodgepodge this entire season. We've moved people around, brought DL to OL, etc, etc. All because we cannot keep a group of 5 guys healthy on that unit. Like you stated in your post, OL has a lot to do with chemistry and continuity, so it is somewhat excusable.

I don't mean to vilify the group, I don't doubt in the least that they're giving their all and doing the best they can. I'm sure they're giving their best effort, and I'm sure they feel worse than any of us about the results of the season. But there is no doubt that the play of the OL has been a big reason why this offense hasn't been able to get on track. Given the circumstances that the unit has had to play through I'm willing to chalk it up to injuries & chemistry issues...hopefully next year this isn't a problem.

One thing that I REALLY hope we can do next year is create a real 2 deep at the position. I have always hated when coaches resort to moving players around to fill OL injuries. It really tears apart the chemistry, but it's a necessary evil if you don't have backups capable of playing all 5 spots along the line.

The nice thing is all these guys playing all these positions this year will hopefully pay off with better depth next year? Fingers Crossed...

[Warthog]

Our starting RG is the ONLY OL in the same position since start of season

I'm thinking this is Torresso, so it should be added that he was defensive lineman last year at this time.

No, it's the big kid from Middletown, Chip Robinson.

My bad. But I guess it's still a point to consider that Torresso is also playing his first year ont he offensive side and has been forced to play significant time there.

[BgFalcons55]

I really think the future is bright for the OL. This year it looks terrible but in my opinion Roussos and Flewelyn whom I saw play in hs will be very good players. BG is very lucky a bcs team didn't steal Flewelyn late in the recruiting process the kids going to be a stud

[MarkL]

I actually hope Roussos goes back to D Line next year. We could use his size there. I imagine Roussos and Jones woul be a heck of a set of DTs. We'll see if depth at O line allows that to happen.

[Redwingtom]

On a side note. Jordon Roussos is my daughter's student teacher in Toledo!