Our Starting Offensive Line....

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Bob_Loblaw

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It's the offseason, so we're stuck with some of these prognostication type of threads. However, I was thinking about our roster this morning (after reading the bit on Christenson), they're going to be some real battles along our OL. It doesn't really matter who starts as i'm sure a lot of guys will see PT, but it'll be interesting.

Ed Olson seems like a guranteed starter at LT. He was good but hampered by injuries last season.
Marek Lenkiawicz filled in for Ed Olson for the last two games of the year last year and I thought looked really good. We ran all over Nwestern and he played a nice game against Illinois. He is smaller but pretty athletic and has a legit chance of earning PT. I'm not entirely sure if he can move inside to guard, because we are a little crowded at OT.
Foster Bush keeps being lauded by our coaching staff. He must be really impressive as they don't seem to be going way out of their way to blow smoke about any of our kids. I believe he is an OT prospect as well, I am not entirely sure if he is capable of moving inside.
Tommy Olson was good last year. I thought he was our best OL when he played, especially before he got injured. He seems to be a lock to take one of the OG positions
Jimmy Gjere was our starting RT last season before he was injured. He has a ton of talent, you can see it in his size and how swiftly he moves, but looked a bit overmatched in terms of strength. There was a story about how he never lifted weights before college and went from some weirdly low bench as a freshman. He's super talented but is probably in a dog fight to keep his starting position. I always thought Gjere would end up at OG. I know he'd be extremely tall for a guard, but he just seems to trap and move so well.
Josh Campion is another guys that everyone expected to see a ton of PT last season. He is versatile and could play inside or outside, but he was injured and we weren't able to use him. He was another guy the staff kind of raved about.
Zack Epping started a lot of games last season. He initially struggled, I thought he really improved at about the Michigan State game, and he's a tough kid.
Caleb Bak was the mystery OL to step up and really play well. He has a legitimate shot of starting next season at OG.
Mottla is back from injury
Ferguson played a bit last season and seems to be a pretty athletic kid.
Christenson is rumored to be really impressive.

If I had to guess:

LT: Ed Olson / F. Bush
LG: Tank / C. Bak
C: Epping / Christenson
RG: Campion / Mottla
RT: Lenkiawicz / Gjere / Ferguson

I didn't even consider the players who I haven't heard anything about (McAvoysX2, Bjorklund)
 

I like your assessment, though my guess is Gjere starting. As he builds strength, I think his native ability will carry him over Marek. Either way, the battles will be pretty interesting to watch. It is nice to finally have some competition there.
 

Really excited to see how this group develops over the next 4 years. Especially when you add Hayes and Pirsig your list above.
 

You really don't hear much about the McAvoy brothers these days. They both had pretty good offer lists, if I remember correctly.
 

To Be Named Later said:
I like your assessment, though my guess is Gjere starting. As he builds strength, I think his native ability will carry him over Marek. Either way, the battles will be pretty interesting to watch. It is nice to finally have some competition there.
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Yep, I could certainly see Gjere or Marek take over that starting OT position (or maybe even Bush, I just haven't seen him play). They are actually really similar players, tall and athletic OT that need to add some strength. I'd be really interested in knowing if the staff thinks either of them could switch to G.
 


positively4thstreet said:
You really don't hear much about the McAvoy brothers these days. They both had pretty good offer lists, if I remember correctly.
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Yeah, you don't. In their defense, you don't really hear about many RS FR. We haven't heard much about Peter Westerhaus or Steven Montgomery either. They were all pretty talented guys coming out of HS, so it'll be interesting to see how their futures develop.
 

I thought that Marek Lenkiawicz played really well when given a chance, I'd give him the edge over Gjere.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
Yep, I could certainly see Gjere or Marek take over that starting OT position (or maybe even Bush, I just haven't seen him play). They are actually really similar players, tall and athletic OT that need to add some strength. I'd be really interested in knowing if the staff thinks either of them could switch to G.
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I think people would be surprised at how low the weight room numbers are for a lot of freshmen linemen around the country. Their muscles simply haven't caught up to their frames yet. They use their size to their advantage in high school, but those long arms have a tough time moving the bar in the weight room. It is pretty interesting to see.
 

Gjere and Campion still have concussion issues and may not play in the Spring. Christenson has the coaches "wowed" and has the inside track at center. They love Foster as well. With that in mind, here's my "Spring" guess:

LT: Ed Olson / Lenkiawicz
LG: Tommy Olson / C. Bak
C: Christenson / Epping
RG: Mottla / Kyle McAvoy / Campion
RT: Bush / Gjere / Ferguson
 



To Be Named Later said:
I think people would be surprised at how low the weight room numbers are for a lot of freshmen linemen around the country. Their muscles simply haven't caught up to their frames yet. They use their size to their advantage in high school, but those long arms have a tough time moving the bar in the weight room. It is pretty interesting to see.
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I agree with this, somewhat. I also think that some high schools don't place as much importance in lifting. I went to a small school in HS and one of the kids in my class had friends going to STA. He was talking to them about football and lifting and he found out something lifting. Our football team's averages for most lifts would have been one of the strongest lifters there.
 

Joe Bjorkland will be in the mix in the 2-deeps I believe. He is a beast in the weight room and has put on another layer of muscles from a year ago. 6-5 310 pounds at this time.
 

highwayman said:
Gjere and Campion still have concussion issues and may not play in the Spring. Christenson has the coaches "wowed" and has the inside track at center. They love Foster as well. With that in mind, here's my "Spring" guess:

LT: Ed Olson / Lenkiawicz
LG: Tommy Olson / C. Bak
C: Christenson / Epping
RG: Mottla / Kyle McAvoy / Campion
RT: Bush / Gjere / Ferguson
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Kill said Gjere and Campion have both been cleared to play with no limitations. I'd agree with this list, with the one change being Epping or someone else at RG. I'm not sure if Mottla has gotten PT so far in his career? Limegrover stated last year that the best 5 guys will play, and he'll get them on the field no matter where that may be. The other interesting thing is how the O-line is shaping up across different classes for the future. Right now, E Olson and Epping are the only 2 juniors, with no seniors on the roster. Assuming we get to redshirt all of the 2011 class, we'll stack up like this in 2013. It would be the start of having some nice balance across our recruiting classes.

Seniors: E Olson, Epping
Juniors: T Olson, Lenkiewicz, Epping, Gjere, Bak, Ferguson
Sophomores: Bush, Campion, Christenson, McAvoys, Bjorklund
Redshirt Freshmen: Hayes, Pirsig, Lauer
 




LT: Ed Olson / Lenkiewicz
LG: Tommy Olson / Bjorklund/ Kyle McAvoy
C: Christenson / Epping
RG: C. Bak/ Campion/ Mottla
RT: Bush / Gjere / Ferguson
 


Our best posters having mild disagreement on OL depth is so positive for the future!
 

Why not slip Gjere back into Guard? Seemed to struggle with pass pro last year and can run so well.
 

Yeah, i'd be open to Gjere moving to Guard if he could do it. I think the problem is that he is so tall and those long arms and rumored lack of strength could make it tough for him to handle really strong DTs. Additionally, the T's in Kill's system need to be about as athletic as the guards. They pull just as often and have to deal with DEs rather than DTs. So in theory, I think the idea is that Gjere's athleticism and height would make him an ideal Tackle. I'd definitely be interested to see if he could make that transition though.
 

I find it kind of amazing that we with all of these players we won't graduate a single O lineman for 2 years. I understand how it happened (not recruiting any lineman in 2008 and such) but I suppose it's a great opportunity for all of these guys to get some experience.
 

John Galt said:
Kill said Gjere and Campion have both been cleared to play with no limitations.
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That's great news. Reference? Two weeks ago, at the uni unveiling, I'd heard they were both going to sit out Spring drills.
 

OL

These are all great assessments. My only observation is that Mottla will probably remain at center and will start there unless Christianson or someone else can beat him out at that spot. This is the strongest contingent on the OL in recent memory. We need the depth to get through which is always a grueling B10 season.
 

Holding Campion and Gjere out of spring drills or not, I think Kill will err on the side of the players long term safety and recovery. This is not a players call, or a coaching call to play, it is now a medical call. If they are cleared then what is the best way to bring them back? No contact, in the spring? Conditioning and lifting? I am confident the staff will get this right for both players.
 


not much but

I watched a few fall practices: I thought the McAvoys looked like solid contributors.
Tommy Olson spent a fair amount of time practicing at center. Just more ingredients for the booya.

The offensive line is a unit that seems like a reason for optimism in our overall program.
Most every position seems more exciting than it did at this time last year doesn't it?
 

60's Guy said:
I watched a few fall practices: I thought the McAvoys looked like solid contributors.
Tommy Olson spent a fair amount of time practicing at center. Just more ingredients for the booya.

The offensive line is a unit that seems like a reason for optimism in our overall program.
Most every position seems more exciting than it did at this time last year doesn't it?
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+1 This and it will be nice to know that some of these guys will be redshirt juniors before they will see significant time. It is nice to be in this situation instead of having to play true freshmen against redshirt junior and senior DL.
 

STPGopher said:
+1 This and it will be nice to know that some of these guys will be redshirt juniors be for they will see significant time. It is nice to be in this situation instead of having to play true freshmen against redshirt junior and senior DL.
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+1
 

A position like the OL, where strength is so vital, playing really young players is exceptionally tough. It can happen with absolute studs like Eslinger and Setterstrom, but the majority of OL, even really good ones, need a bunch of seasoning.

You even saw this with guys like Jeff Wills and Chris Bunders, who really struggled when they first started playing (Wills was JuCo), but by the time they graduated were pretty darn good football players. I'm excited to have depth and experienced depth. I hope Ed Olson is healthy so he can take a big jump this year and guys like Epping and Gjere who only struggled because of strength issues, will get better.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
A position like the OL, where strength is so vital, playing really young players is exceptionally tough. It can happen with absolute studs like Eslinger and Setterstrom, but the majority of OL, even really good ones, need a bunch of seasoning.

You even saw this with guys like Jeff Wills and Chris Bunders, who really struggled when they first started playing (Wills was JuCo), but by the time they graduated were pretty darn good football players. I'm excited to have depth and experienced depth. I hope Ed Olson is healthy so he can take a big jump this year and guys like Epping and Gjere who only struggled because of strength issues, will get better.
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You are right about the importance of strength. But strength and size are not as important as athleticism and technique in a zone blocking scheme which is what the Gophers use or use often.

Mason ran zone and his best linemen (or at least interior linemen) tended to be undersized and not physically dominating including Eslinger, Setterstrom and Hamilton (all of whom played at around 285). Those 3 dominated because of great feet, great technique and making great reads (intelligence being the controlling factor for the last two attributes).

Epping’s issue wasn’t strength. Epping is, as Limegrover described him, a bull (and a good kid, too). His problem was footwork and technique and learning an originally complicated scheme. Once Limegrover adjusted and simplified the scheme, Epping and the rest were better able to develop the technique and judgement sufficient to execute it or at least execute it better than before.

If you want to pick players who could prosper under Limegrover then look for kids who possess sufficient size and strength but who exhibit superior athleticism and intelligence as zone schemes tend to depend more on the fleet and smart than the big and strong.

Regards.
 

This is how I see it:

LT: Ed Olson / Lenkiawicz
LG: Tommy Olson / C. Bak
C: Mottla/Christenson
RG:Epping/ Kyle McAvoy
RT: Bush / Gjere / Ferguson

Ed and Mottla are the old guys of the line (Jr)
Campion and Gjere might never see the field. I guess I am a hard ass, but Camp took a whole year off and Gjere a good part of it. I am not sure how many concussions these guys have had, but they only get easier to come by and more severe. So I think that is a concern for them.
Epping played almost the whole season as a RG and is a solid player and will have that spot for this fall. Mottla played a lot and started the Iowa game so you should see him as the center for the fall.
Bush will play and the McAvoy boys are solid so some great depth on the line. The Olson boys are solid and tough players and will be starting.

I am glad I have not seen someone say that all the new recruits will take the starting positions this fall. Kill I am sure will Redshirt them.

Size and strength are very important, but the guy who has balls and is scrappy on the field will be the guy who is succesful. I have heard that Epping, Mottla, and the Olson boys are mean ass guys on the field and are not scared of anyone and that is what the OL needs. I think this is going to be a great year for the OL.

I also feel that the Gophers will be in a bowl this year as well. They need to come out strong however.
 

Now that we know Campion and Gjere are back, I'll go with:

LT: Ed Olson / Lenkiawicz
LG: Tommy Olson / C. Bak
C: Mottla/Christenson
RG: Campion/Epping
RT: Gjere / Bush

What a situation to be in! This might be the most depth we've had at OL since the last century...
 

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