2017 OL

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Originally Posted by Random Poster

Williams is running 1st team RG right now. He is fine.

I think we end up starting:

LT- Rankin
LG- Jenkins
C- Calhoun
RG- Williams/Story
RT- Reese/Eiland

We just don't really have depth. Can't afford to get anybody hurt- especially early.

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This looks like the best case scenario and doesn't scare me except for depth. We will actually be good from center through left tackle. The right side is more concerning, but hopefully we can use some TE blocking there to help and we have a mobile QB so hopefully if they are subpar, our QB can at least avoid getting killed.

The depth issue is pretty scary. We basically have 4 players on offense where if we lost them, it'd be catastrophic. The QB (which most teams face), then Calhoun, then Rankin, then Jenkins. Maybe Jenkins wouldn't be catatrophic if Williams and Story are decent guards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Random Poster

Williams is running 1st team RG right now. He is fine.

I think we end up starting:

LT- Rankin
LG- Jenkins
C- Calhoun
RG- Williams/Story
RT- Reese/Eiland

We just don't really have depth. Can't afford to get anybody hurt- especially early.

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I LOVE that starting five!!

Only problem is Calhoun is not getting Spring reps. He hasn't played a snap in college at Center- plus no Spring work. So he will be good and green come September

Imo, coming back from a neck injury would be a lot easier at OG than it would be at center. Something else to consider...

Well I'm just glad we didn't push for a commitment from Cole Smith. Its obvious from our depth chart that we are in no need of help at Center.****

Biggest problem I see and who I think we start the season 2-3:

Calhoun hasn't played a snap at Center
Our RT hasn't played a college snap

That's not a recipe for gelling early

Now it looks like Dear is out in the Slot- further declining our WR talent. Really need the D to get its feet under them early

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Originally Posted by maroonmania

Well I'm just glad we didn't push for a commitment from Cole Smith. Its obvious from our depth chart that we are in no need of help at Center.****

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That's what bothers me about that whole scenario. Why not sign a Center instead of having to train guys new to the position.

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Originally Posted by Random Poster

That's what bothers me about that whole scenario. Why not sign a Center instead of having to train guys new to the position.

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Gonna play devil's advocate for Mullen/Hev here (Gawd I hate it/it's killing me ****).

Cole didn't play center I don't believe last year. He's playing LT in his video. He's projected as a center tho. He's listed I believe at 6"4 275. So I'm guessing Mullen/Hev may think that if he don't pan out at center then he'll never crack the lineup. He sure moves pretty good tho.

He looks to me like he could easily put on 25 - 35 lbs. Go look at the Cowboys roster. Tyron Smith the LT is 6'5" 320. Look at their guards. Look at OSU's line from 2014. At the least I believe Cole could play G.

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Originally Posted by Random Poster

That's what bothers me about that whole scenario. Why not sign a Center instead of having to train guys new to the position.

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Cole has never played Center either. He's just projected as a center.

I'll go

LT - Rankin
LG - Reese/Champion
C - Calhoun
RG - Story
RT - Jenkins

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Originally Posted by Ifyouonlyknew

Cole has never played Center either. He's just projected as a center.

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That's laughable that we would even bring that up as an issue. I'm sure Martinas Rankin has had loads of experience at Center. We move people around like its musical chairs.

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Originally Posted by maroonmania

That's laughable that we would even bring that up as an issue. I'm sure Martinas Rankin has had loads of experience at Center. We move people around like its musical chairs.

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Post from Random "That's what bothers me about that whole scenario. Why not sign a Center instead of having to train guys new to the position."

I was responding to him about Cole Smith & having to train guys. Cole would have to be trained too. I never said or insinuated it was an issue. I was letting him know that Cole wasn't a center either.

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Originally Posted by Ifyouonlyknew

Post from Random "That's what bothers me about that whole scenario. Why not sign a Center instead of having to train guys new to the position."

I was responding to him about Cole Smith & having to train guys. Cole would have to be trained too. I never said or insinuated it was an issue. I was letting him know that Cole wasn't a center either.

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Understand, I was just responding to the premise that we are perhaps hesitant to offer because he would have to move positions. I just find that humorous given the way we move guys around on the OL at the drop of a hat.

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Originally Posted by Random Poster

Considering we moved Rankin to C this Spring and have Williams at RG and not working at C- it appears we don't plan to play him there. So it looks like Calhoun or Rankin is going to play Center this Fall.

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I'd rather have calhoun there than Rankin

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Originally Posted by Ifyouonlyknew

I'll go

LT - Rankin
LG - Reese/Champion
C - Calhoun
RG - Story
RT - Jenkins

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Since it looks like Reese is considered (by message board posters at least) to be likely to fill one of the two to go along with Calhoun, Jenkins, and Rankin, what is the story on him?

He showing good things in practice and looking to be a good OL for us that gives us three years of starting duty? Or is it another example of a solid OL having to start one year too early because of shitty OL recruiting (ala Clausell, Jenkins, Clayborne, etc.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Random Poster

Williams is running 1st team RG right now. He is fine.

I think we end up starting:

LT- Rankin
LG- Jenkins
C- Calhoun
RG- Williams/Story
RT- Reese/Eiland

We just don't really have depth. Can't afford to get anybody hurt- especially early.

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4 out of the 5 have shown they can be effective. RT concerns me more than the others. But I agree 1 or 2 injuries could make the difference in 6-6 or 9-3

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Originally Posted by dawgday166

Gonna play devil's advocate for Mullen/Hev here (Gawd I hate it/it's killing me ****).

Cole didn't play center I don't believe last year. He's playing LT in his video. He's projected as a center tho. He's listed I believe at 6"4 275. So I'm guessing Mullen/Hev may think that if he don't pan out at center then he'll never crack the lineup. He sure moves pretty good tho.

He looks to me like he could easily put on 25 - 35 lbs. Go look at the Cowboys roster. Tyron Smith the LT is 6'5" 320. Look at their guards. Look at OSU's line from 2014. At the least I believe Cole could play G.

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I assumed RP was talking about a JUCO center or something.

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Originally Posted by Ifyouonlyknew

I'll go

LT - Rankin
LG - Reese/Champion
C - Calhoun
RG - Story
RT - Jenkins

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That could certainly happen- except for Champion. However if we planned to play Reese at OG- I think he would be working there this Spring. That's why I kept him at RT. It's not very smart to work a rookie at a position all-Spring that he won't play in the Fall

I think Rankin and Jenkins may be pretty good; possibly Calhoun, also. The rest we don't know about. Certainly the weakest position group on the team, and probably not good enough to get us to the SEC Championship game, which we all want.

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Originally Posted by Random Poster

That could certainly happen- except for Champion. However if we planned to play Reese at OG- I think he would be working there this Spring. That's why I kept him at RT. It's not very smart to work a rookie at a position all-Spring that he won't play in the Fall

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Yea I know how you feel about Champion. He has a mean streak I wish a few of our other OL had though. I would love for Reese or Eiland to be good enough to plug into RT. I'm just not ready to say that yet. If they can it makes our OL a lot better.