OL comments by Ryan Burns

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GopherGrit

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I've been pleading with Minnesota to make changes on the offensive line, and tonight against Ohio State, offensive line coach Brian Callahan elected to shuffle the pieces up front.

- Greg Johnson moved from left guard to make his first career collegiate start at left tackle.

- Nathan Roy moved from left tackle to make his first collegiate start at right tackle.

- Dylan Ray slid inside from right tackle to right guard, where he played extensively in the SEC at Kentucky.

- Marcellus Marshall flipped from right guard to left guard, where he started at UCF in 2023.

- Ashton Beers remained at center

But even with the new moves, the results remained the same. And that's very little vertical push for the Minnesota Moving Company.

Just 11 carries for 27 yards for the Gopher tailbacks in the first half, and I'm not going to be the guy to tell you they were missing hole after hole. To my naked eye, that was rushing attempts against plenty of even matchups (7 Minnesota blockers against 7 Ohio State defenders, etc.).

Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh isn't absolved of blame for the continued run game issues, and it's also worth noting that Ohio State has one of the top defenses in the country.

But we're now almost halfway through the season, and they aren't winning in critical moments with physicality.

If we're in the business of finding more solutions to the issues upfront, I'd love to get a look at someone else at guard in place of Marshall and Ray. Minnesota appears to agree with me, as they replaced Ray in the third quarter with former Tracy (Minn.) athlete Tony Nelson. However, whether you want Washington transfer Kahlee Tafai or Purdue transfer Jaden Ball to replace Marshall, I have no preference.

I just don't see either Ray or Marshall as assets for Minnesota and someone you want to continue building around. So give someone else a chance here next week against Purdue.

But there were too many four-man Ohio State rushes that put pressure on Lindsey, and not nearly enough space for their tailbacks to run. Callahan is also the "run game coordinator" in addition to being the offensive line coach, so while I appreciate his willingness to shuffle bodies tonight, more change is needed if the Gophers are going to start finding consistent success in front of Lindsey and Taylor.
 

Marshall and Ray both only have this year of eligibility left.

The others mentioned have at least two (including this year ... so this year and next for a two)
 

There's zero chance I go back and watch any of that game, but the run game blocking and formations seem about as vanilla as it gets. It's been hat-on-hat with the RB trying to pick a hole. Few traps. Few lead blocks. Few pulls/sweeps/tosses. Those are all ways to get a running game going even against an athletic defense.

On the failed 4th and one, it was again hat-on-hat with no lead block and it was up to Brockington to stretch block and out-physical the stunting LB/DB on the outside. That ain't happening.

Maybe that's a function of the QB picking plays at the LOS and being limited by the formation. I don't know, but it's not working.

When it comes to pass blocking, OSU is going to OSU, but I've thought the Goph line has actually been OK for most of the season.
 

It was a terrible idea to switch for this game. Whose freaking idea was this anyway?
 



Kitzmann57 said:
Sure would have been nice if Phillip Daniels stayed instead of transfering back home to OSU. But I can't blame the kid.
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I was a bit surprised to see both Roy and Ray having higher PFF scores at tackle than Daniels does this year. Regardless, can't blame the kid going back home to the national champ either.
 

I don’t think transfer guys are any good I’d like to see the homegrown fellow get more of a chance. I don’t get the splits and I don’t get running out of the shotgun all the time, especially on short yardage
 

The regression of the run game these past two years is so disappointing and inexcusable. Somebody’s head needs to role if we continue to average under 3 YPC.
 

Finally someone else begging for a new offensive line coach.
 






So, we've given the ball to a tight end and a wide receiver on 4th and one and sent them between the tackles. Neither has experience to find a crease or pick a hole in that situation. Maybe the TE has strength on his side as a discussion point but the wide receiver does not. You are taking the TE's power away when you put him under center...not to mention receiving the snap. Two really questionable strategy decisions to game plan or even conceive.
At one time we were money with the wildcat. LeCaptain in the wildcat seems 500% more likely to possibly succeed than the two choices we have chosen.
I believe there are ways to put our players in better circumstances including the oline.
 





gopherphil said:
It was a terrible idea to switch for this game. Whose freaking idea was this anyway?
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Why not get the most difficult game out of the way? Get them film and experience going into this week. Seems like an excellent decision.

How much of the problem is lack of breaking tackles? I think it's a combo.

  • New OL with 3 new starters
  • New backs and injuries
  • QB more comfortable out of gun formation
 

I would do something we have not run and go 6 oline, full jumbo package with tight ends and a back. Give the opponent look then trow out of it to set up some runs. Just for a series or two. Nelson looks ready to play at guard.
 



beavergopher said:
Development for next year‘s line. These guys are gone after this year the other ones could play and then play next year.
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Gotta play the best 5 regardless of how much eligibility they have left. Especially in this day and age when there are no guarantees the guys on the roster will be around next year or that you won't end up bringing in transfers who are better in the off season.
 

beavergopher said:
Development for next year‘s line. These guys are gone after this year the other ones could play and then play next year.
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Thanks, misread and thought it was an argument to keep playing the older guys as charity.
 

Panthadad2 said:
There's zero chance I go back and watch any of that game, but the run game blocking and formations seem about as vanilla as it gets. It's been hat-on-hat with the RB trying to pick a hole. Few traps. Few lead blocks. Few pulls/sweeps/tosses. Those are all ways to get a running game going even against an athletic defense.

On the failed 4th and one, it was again hat-on-hat with no lead block and it was up to Brockington to stretch block and out-physical the stunting LB/DB on the outside. That ain't happening.

Maybe that's a function of the QB picking plays at the LOS and being limited by the formation. I don't know, but it's not working.

When it comes to pass blocking, OSU is going to OSU, but I've thought the Goph line has actually been OK for most of the season.
Click to expand...
It seems like Fleck wants the biggest offensive lineman in the world since he's been here. If your huge and not small and athletic, your not going to be pulling much. Generally speaking size helps against a pass rush and for straight ahead blocking. Whichever the reason, it's incredible how little our line can make holes for any rb no matter the competition these last two years.
 


I'm serious about the 6 Olinemen, I want to see Nelson in and Roy to report tackle eligible. We should try it.
 

gopherintx said:
Not sure why this is relevant?
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Idea simply is that maybe you'd prefer starting guys who aren't just going to be gone after this season anyway.

But, in the age of "just go get someone new out of the portal", maybe that is not really relevant at all anymore
 


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