Isn’t the offensive line the biggest issue?

Don’t we need to win in the trenches?

  • Yes

    Votes: 51 83.6%

  • No

    Votes: 10 16.4%
  • Total voters
    61
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Gopher_In_NYC

Gopher_In_NYC

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I’m not sure how this isn’t the biggest issue. It’s the historic identity of the team and if we can’t run then we become one dimensional and our run blocking has always been our strength, as a ball control team.

It also helps the defense, as we need to win the time of possession battle, to keep them off the field. Lastly we’re not an explosive offense either, at this point - I don’t see us winning many games by throwing almost 40 passes, we had 37.
 

100 percent. I’d blow it up and come out with a whole new lineup other than 69. Got a minimum, we got to get 77 off the field. PG won’t make any changes though. He’s already switched out 71 for 78 but he won’t make any more adjustments.
 

Honestly would really like to see number 60 Daniel's at Right tackle. I know not the same as LT, but that guy has an enthusiasm about him, size and a presence for a young guy. I would like to see them rep him there at least. Get him in some rotations. You don't know until you know. He stands out in warm-ups even. I like Beers seeing the field more too at LG. Our mass is not kicking ass. We need to be quicker and more athletic than we are right now.
 
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I could easily be wrong, but feel like the position is so difficult that anyone with a legit change to play would've emerged in fall camp?

Don't think we're at the point in the season (yet) where you "give up" and just throw other guys in there to start giving them experience. Still aiming for a bowl game, until the bitter end.
 

GopherGrit said:
I could easily be wrong, but feel like the position is so difficult that anyone with a legit change to play would've emerged in fall camp?

Don't think we're at the point in the season (yet) where you "give up" and just throw other guys in there to start giving them experience. Still aiming for a bowl game, until the bitter end.
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That’s if you buy the false narrative that PJ doesn’t play favorites. There is zero chance that 77 is the best option. He’s just a Golden boy for some reason like many others during PJs tenure.
 




Gopherchase said:
That’s if you buy the false narrative that PJ doesn’t play favorites. There is zero chance that 77 is the best option. He’s just a Golden boy for some reason like many others during PJs tenure.
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I did see him get pushed way back by Iowa's DE on one play, that pressured Brosmer, and the throw was poor. But I wasn't watching him much of the time, have no idea what his grade would be.

Honest question: is there anyone realistic else who could play there and not be a big drop off due to lack of knowing the playbook, for example if its a young guy? Might have more talent, but one bad missed assignment and you might get the QB hurt ...
 




OL requires some cohesion between the 5 players on the line. This line had some green-ness around their edges, and it thought it was working itself out, until last night.
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
I’m not sure how this isn’t the biggest issue. It’s the historic identity of the team and if we can’t run then we become one dimensional and our run blocking has always been our strength, as a ball control team.

It also helps the defense, as we need to win the time of possession battle, to keep them off the field. Lastly we’re not an explosive offense either, at this point - I don’t see us winning many games by throwing almost 40 passes, we had 37.
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Run game? Yes.
 

Ewert86PC said:
OL requires some cohesion between the 5 players on the line. This line had some green-ness around their edges, and it thought it was working itself out, until last night.
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I agree. Would only want to start playing young olinemen if we're getting rolled. I Like A Beers potential at LG or RT. He seems like he blocks with good leverage. If season tailspin, you start playing freshmen like they did with Howden.
 





What's telling in those three pics is that there were only 4 Hawkeye rushers on 5 blockers. You can see it in just the three pics that the right side of the line is having pass blocking issues. Carroll, Beers and Lewis are all graded poorly in pass blocking per PFF. For run blocking, all have scored poorly except Ersery and Carroll.

I'm curious if the blocking scheme has changed to accommodate more passing. If I recall correctly, the team started out the year trying to pass more in 2021 or 2022 but Morgan was getting his ass kicked once the Gophs got into BG10 play, so they changed to more max protection and running, which led to some really boring offenses but helped the team get some Ws.
 


Well, when the coaches completely give up on establishing the run it's very difficult to...establish the run. How does an o-line get better at run blocking and develop cohesion in the run game? By running the ball. Sometimes it takes a little time to gel. I don't think we've given the OL a chance in the run game because they're now pass blocking the majority of the time. First 11 plays on Saturday had 9 passes & 2 runs. This is MN. We need to run the ball first.
 

Iowa has a very good defense. The guys will probably look better against someone other than Iowa or Michigan. Taylor to me looks like he’s not 100%, missing some side to side quicks and the extra gear. Majors is ok to good but not great.

The offensive line didn’t give up 31 points and half a dozen + backbreaking runs. If allocating blame maybe 60/40 defense vs offense?
 

Pompous Elitist said:
Iowa has a very good defense. The guys will probably look better against someone other than Iowa or Michigan. Taylor to me looks like he’s not 100%, missing some side to side quicks and the extra gear. Majors is ok to good but not great.

The offensive line didn’t give up 31 points and half a dozen + backbreaking runs. If allocating blame maybe 60/40 defense vs offense?
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I agree on Taylor. He's clearly not 100%. His movement seems very limited and there's not much burst there right now. Also, Major was badly over-hyped in the pre-season. He's a big back that wants to run small, but doesn't have the agility to do it. He should be a 1-cut runner, but he's not.
 


With the exception of center this is largely the same line as last year yet somehow a lot worse. Is Johnson just not a good center at this point? Would moving him to guard and someone else at center help? Also, not sure I would agree the line is the worst issue after giving up that many yards on the ground when Iowa has no passing game to worry about. Doubtful that performance was a one off.
 

Very difficult to be proficient at run block8ng and pass blocking. Run you come off the line of scrimmage to make contact but not so much with pass blocking. This is where coaching comes to light. This is where the Gophers are behind. Won’t change until PJ makes a change.
 

Like to see a 6 man OL elephant look with the two backs, one less tight end used. Establish the run early, Some wildcat no huddle, high tempo with Taylor and Major or Nubin even. We will not do that. We don't practice those sets even this year.
 

tpbeight said:
Also, Major was badly over-hyped in the pre-season. He's a big back that wants to run small, but doesn't have the agility to do it. He should be a 1-cut runner, but he's not.
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I think Major has been all right as a #2 back but I'd like to see them give Mangham a few more carries. He's had only 7 carries but has netted 43 yards.
 

tpbeight said:
Well, when the coaches completely give up on establishing the run it's very difficult to...establish the run. How does an o-line get better at run blocking and develop cohesion in the run game? By running the ball. Sometimes it takes a little time to gel. I don't think we've given the OL a chance in the run game because they're now pass blocking the majority of the time. First 11 plays on Saturday had 9 passes & 2 runs. This is MN. We need to run the ball first.
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The other thing that slows down the offensive line development is three and outs and standing on the sidelines.
 


tpbeight said:
I agree on Taylor. He's clearly not 100%. His movement seems very limited and there's not much burst there right now. Also, Major was badly over-hyped in the pre-season. He's a big back that wants to run small, but doesn't have the agility to do it. He should be a 1-cut runner, but he's not.
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Anybody thought that maybe he’s just not very fast? I think that has something to do with it.
 

Jack jones said:
Very difficult to be proficient at run block8ng and pass blocking. Run you come off the line of scrimmage to make contact but not so much with pass blocking. This is where coaching comes to light. This is where the Gophers are behind. Won’t change until PJ makes a change.
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Huh? No, it’s not.
 

Gopherchase said:
Anybody thought that maybe he’s just not very fast? I think that has something to do with it.
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He looked much faster to me last year and seemed to have that extra gear. Not so this year. Best extra gear I saw live was LoMo man he could shoot out of a cannon at times.
 


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