Is the OL improving?

LongTooth

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they certainly think they are.

UGA does have a decent defense and have been good vs the rush all year.

LDR was scrambling a bit but one thing I did notice was the nice push the OL was getting on short yardage plays.

almost every time we needed crucial short yardage run, we got it. we look to be learning to use the size advantage we have vs some teams.
 

MissouriGator

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I think so; it seems like a lot of the penalties have been against the receivers and maybe tight-ends, but I haven't had time to look into it. I haven't seen a lot of holding calls. It does seem like they're playing more disciplined with their footwork and getting some push. They get beat sometimes and miss some assignments but that can be attributed to a lack of athletic ability. What I am looking for is disciplined play and effort. I think that we're getting more of that; it's like these guys are "getting it" and really starting to play like men. That's kind of a big deal in this arena....play like a man that has his heart set on dominating the competition. It's the transition from high school to D1 college. I think that they're probably starting to get it.
 

TheBigClaw

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I think they have definitely improved. If you'll notice yesterday, on most passing plays they gave Del Rio a pretty clean pocket to pass from. They had a couple blitzes get in, but when they were just sending 4 or 5, they seemed to each get their guy and block pretty well. Ivey really seems to be making strides which is good. Hoping some of these guys are starting to have the light bulb go off. :fistbump:
 

Swamp Donkey

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Yes, IMO. Dillard, alone, as improved drastically. Taylor verges on dominant at time. The others have improved incrementally, exceot maybe Sharpe. I have trouble seeing improvement with him.

Its not really their fault that pretty much all of them were required to play too early. For almost all SEC linemen, it takes three years to be ready to play.
 
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Tunaboat

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They are getting better however that came about. Lots of bad press may have shot some urgency in them but it looks like it's starting to pay off. Not good enough yet we need to rip some holes open and get the backs used to blowing thru at speed instead of dancing behind the line looking for a hole, then getting 2 or 3 yards. I liked the way they leaned on the UGA line in the 2nd half, grinding out 1st downs while our D line absolutely imposed their will on the Dawg O the whole game.
 

alcoholica

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Yes. Dillard, alone, as improved drastically. Taylor verges on dominant at time. Te ither have improved incrementally, exceot maybe Sharpe. I have trouble seeing improvement with him.
Sharpe could stand to lose about 30 or 40 lbs
 

BMF

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We just had our worst total yardage of the season. I think they're playing about the way they've played all year: poorly.
 

LongTooth

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We just had our worst total yardage of the season. I think they're playing about the way they've played all year: poorly.

I've been as bummed about the OL play as anyone, but it was the sacks on Del Puto that drove down our overall rush yards and the yards per carry were ok considering UGA does have a good run defense. and a lot of our impotence on offense yesterday has to be laid at Del Puto's feet. bad throws, missed reads, weak arm.

there were times early in the season where we couldn't move anyone on short yardage. we did it a lot yesterday and we did it at times when UGA knew damn well we were going to run it.

here's Mac's conference after the game. there's quite a bit of commentary on the OL.

 

TN G8tr

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Yes, there is some definite improvement on the OL. Kirby's D was about what I expected Saturday and he knows Mac and Nuss very well. We gave protection at times most of the day and grinded out a run game. I think they played better and will continue to do so.
 

Alagator

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....The others have improved incrementally, exceot maybe Sharpe. I have trouble seeing improvement with him.

Yeah and 'Marianna says Sharpe thinks he's going this year as an early rounder. Seems like he REALLY needs another year to improve his game.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Well, Sharpe probably thinks he is. It worked for J Hump but he was fast and put up great numbers at the combine. Who knows? I've seen dumber things.

If he stays he has just as much chance that Mac will bench him IMO. I don't think Mac likes Sharpe's attitude much.
 

BMF

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Well, Sharpe probably thinks he is. It worked for J Hump but he was fast and put up great numbers at the combine. Who knows? I've seen dumber things.

If he stays he has just as much chance that Mac will bench him IMO. I don't think Mac likes Sharpe's attitude much.

Agree. He could easily lose his job if he returns. If he doesn't lose 10-20lbs before the combine I can't imagine he'd go higher than the 5th round, which is still decent money (if he makes the roster).

Honestly, Ivey and Sharpe's side of the OL has been the biggest problem. I'd like to see Ivey moved to OT next year and let one of the freshman fight it out for the open G spot.

Is all hope lost for Fred J? Or will he show improvement as a true Junior? Who knows. But I hope these guys get a new OL coach to work with.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Is all hope lost for Fred J? Or will he show improvement as a true Junior? Who knows. But I hope these guys get a new OL coach to work with.
I dont like either at tackle. I like them both better at guard. If I had to guess which one is more likely to develop the footwork, I guess Id say Martez. I was really high on Forsythe but I havent heard ckncerning him lately.
 

GatorRaz

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I dont like either at tackle. I like them both better at guard. If I had to guess which one is more likely to develop the footwork, I guess Id say Martez. I was really high on Forsythe but I havent heard ckncerning him lately.

I really hope Mac and Co are building this OL through redshirting Forsythe, Heggie, etc. Take off the bad weight and add the good with to their frames. Law, i agree that these kids need 2 years at least to adjust to line play in the SEC. Very seldom do true freshmen start and succeed in the SEC.

Go Gators!!!
 

Tunaboat

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It's tough to sit thru an entire Mac presser. I need a 6-banger to get thru it
 

cover2

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I'd have to agree that we were able to convert on the short yardage stuff ok. My concern is consistency and the ability to open and sustain holes that allow the backs to get into the second level of the defense and to cut off/seal the LB's. Our OL isn't there yet. Pass pro? Still a lot of work IMO, but I do think that on Saturday Luke had to have some responsibility where the sacks and lost yardage was concerned. Can't be a statue back there. I made the comment in another thread that there was some improvement, but it wasn't a lot to measure at one time. "Incremental" I think I read was a fitting description. I think like has been mentioned that several of these guys have had to play earlier than they really should have due to roster issues. several don't look like their agility and feet are what is needed to help them compete efficiently in the SEC. Taylor is a big bright spot for a youngster thus far. Wish we had a couple more like him. At least the penalties on the OL were reduced.
 

LongTooth

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I'd have to agree that we were able to convert on the short yardage stuff ok. My concern is consistency and the ability to open and sustain holes that allow the backs to get into the second level of the defense and to cut off/seal the LB's. Our OL isn't there yet. Pass pro? Still a lot of work IMO, but I do think that on Saturday Luke had to have some responsibility where the sacks and lost yardage was concerned. Can't be a statue back there. I made the comment in another thread that there was some improvement, but it wasn't a lot to measure at one time. "Incremental" I think I read was a fitting description. I think like has been mentioned that several of these guys have had to play earlier than they really should have due to roster issues. several don't look like their agility and feet are what is needed to help them compete efficiently in the SEC. Taylor is a big bright spot for a youngster thus far. Wish we had a couple more like him. At least the penalties on the OL were reduced.

Not one penalty on UF in the second half. NOT ONE. Can you imagine the way the players' ears got burned at halftime? Whatever the message, it stuck.

"Incremental" is a fair way to describe what we're seeing, but hey, it's something that's noticeable enough to comment on.
 

Alagator

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actually, he should probably just leave. thanks.
Yeah... maybe...

Though with our offensive line woes through multiple years now, I'm hesitant to willingly run off any warm body we have... especially one with a lot of game experience, even if he has looked like crap this year...

It'd be better if he could lose about 20 or 30 pounds and improve his attitude and level of play. Let one of the youngsters get some game experience as a backup next year. But I agree, if he doesn't adjust his attitude and do what's necessary, then he needs to just go on and leave...
 

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