Gophers coach P.J. Fleck hints at changing up offensive line

[LakerFan]

I would be fine with that type of thing, but I don't believe that's the MO of most college coaches, and certainly not Fleck. If anything, I think Fleck tends more on leaving starters in for too long, or resisting changes for too long.

The leaving them in "too long" is probably calculated. Once you've given someone an opportunity you can't advocate failure as growth and then swap them out after one bad game. Going a few games in a row making the same mistakes and not improving, that's a horse of a different color. That could just be where he's at with a couple lineman right now.

 

[MplsGopher]

The leaving them in "too long" is probably calculated. Once you've given someone an opportunity you can't advocate failure as growth and then swap them out after one bad game. Going a few games in a row making the same mistakes and not improving, that's a horse of a different color. That could just be where he's at with a couple lineman right now.

Yes, that sounds right. We will see.

I think the same five will start at Purdue, and they will be keeping an extra close eye on some of them. I think JMS at center is in their back pocket.

Would love to see him get a drive, no matter what, early, and see how THAT goes. But again, I'm not sure that is Fleck's way of doing things. Last year, when Faalele went in for Schlueter at RT, that was that. It was a hard, permanent switch, after too many straws broke the camel's back.

 

[die hard gopher]

Even Umlor or Sassack? That's rough, if so, they at least appear on the depth chart. Cannot say that for some other guys, who are RSophs or older.

What about Richter, I thought he was moving to OL?

What?

Dickson is the #3-4 OT behind Faalele, Schlueter and possibly Blaise if you decide to move him or keep him at OG. He is the #7 O-lineman behind the 5 starters and JMS. After those 7, there is considered a big drop off. He is ahead of Sassack and Umlor.

There was talk about Richter moving to OL as a recruit but he has always been at DT since he's been here.

 

[MplsGopher]

What?

Dickson is the #3-4 OT behind Faalele, Schlueter and possibly Blaise if you decide to move him or keep him at OG. He is the #7 O-lineman behind the 5 starters and JMS. After those 7, there is considered a big drop off. He is ahead of Sassack and Umlor.

There was talk about Richter moving to OL as a recruit but he has always been at DT since he's been here.

I didn't think my post was confusing, apologies.

"Even Umlor or Sassack? ---> They consider those two to be a "big drop off"? If so, that's rough, but at least they appear on the depth chart. Cannot say that for some other guys, who are RSophs or older.

 

[die hard gopher]

I didn't think my post was confusing, apologies.

"Even Umlor or Sassack? ---> They consider those two to be a "big drop off"? If so, that's rough, but at least they appear on the depth chart. Cannot say that for some other guys, who are RSophs or older.

I see. Yes, they feel comfortable with their top 7 and then after that it gets dicey based on what I I’ve seen and read. But as long as we don’t have more than two OL out at the same time, we should be fine.


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[MNVCGUY]

That's a real catch-22.

let's say for sake of argument that one OL guy is a good run blocker and poor pass blocker. If you sub him out in obvious passing situations, you are telegraphing the play to the defense. "hey, #78 is in at tackle - it's going to be a pass."

But, if you're saying that the starting 5 must play the entire game (except in case of injury) - and one guy is struggling or missing assignments, how does that impact the team's ability to win the game?

That's where Football is different. In other sports, if a player is having a bad game, they wind up on the bench - at least for a while. In football, it's like taking a guy out of the game based on performance is taboo - "oh, you'll hurt his confidence." Well, if he's out there getting beat, how does that help his confidence?

So, I would have no problem with a rotation in the OL. maybe playing some guys fewer snaps will help them stay fresh and mentally focused. Of course, that all depends on having a backup or two who can come into the game without making things worse.

To the part in bold, when a team brings in a wildcat QB the defense knows what is coming most of the time, they still have to stop it. Plus there is always the threat that a team breaks their tendency and does the opposite of what you are expecting in that scenario. That said, it is really rare to see O-line subbed in and out on a play by play basis, far more likely to see them rotated at the start of a new series.

I'm all for making some personnel adjustments if they feel it will make things run smoother, but as you say, it is a little trickier with O-Line because so much of what they do is based on working as a group and trusting the guy next to you.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

To the part in bold, when a team brings in a wildcat QB the defense knows what is coming most of the time, they still have to stop it. Plus there is always the threat that a team breaks their tendency and does the opposite of what you are expecting in that scenario. That said, it is really rare to see O-line subbed in and out on a play by play basis, far more likely to see them rotated at the start of a new series.

I'm all for making some personnel adjustments if they feel it will make things run smoother, but as you say, it is a little trickier with O-Line because so much of what they do is based on working as a group and trusting the guy next to you.

You sometimes see it with a blocking TE who is really just a 6th OL. Schlueter did this, effectively, last year.