Egriz - Overreaction Nation

[mthoopsfan]

I was hoping for actual facts, not your personal opinions gleaned from a grainy screen over 1000 miles away. Weakest link? That’s just like your opinion, man.
Hoops has provided real-live links showing in black and white the Oline is doing great, with support directly from the horse’s mouth. Guess you prefer info from the other end of the horse.
Got a link you can post showing facts to support your opinions?

Lol. ZERO starters from any of the recruiting classes is a fact. 33 sacks last year is a fact. High dependence on transfers is a fact. Literally the ONLY “opinion” in my post is that the O-line has been the weakest link on the team for years.

A high number of transfer and drop-down starting o-lineman is a positive. Just like Quinn and Russum were a positive. And the kid who was briefly on the Ohio St. roster. Zero starters from any recruiting class is NOT a fact, and yes, you tried to exclude this year. Liam Brown is a starter and was the UM offensive player of the week in the 2d game. UM had a couple good JC transfers/starters. And you don't want to include Cook, who is on an NFL team? Do you really care where starters came from, and how they were recruited? Look at the backups this year. Two redshirt frosh, 2 redshirt soph, and 1 redshirt junior. Where do you think they came from?

It looks to me that your now tired complaint is about two years too late. Times have changed, but you and Soldier are still living in the past.

 

[Alaska Griz]

I was hoping for actual facts, not your personal opinions gleaned from a grainy screen over 1000 miles away. Weakest link? That’s just like your opinion, man.
Hoops has provided real-live links showing in black and white the Oline is doing great, with support directly from the horse’s mouth. Guess you prefer info from the other end of the horse.
Got a link you can post showing facts to support your opinions?

Lol. ZERO starters from any of the recruiting classes is a fact. 33 sacks last year is a fact. High dependence on transfers is a fact. Literally the ONLY “opinion” in my post is that the O-line has been the weakest link on the team for years.

Wait. What? Casey and Brown are both high school recruits starting and excelling. Two deep has a majority of recruited high schoolers, not that it even matters. High dependence on transfers? Yes at many positions, not that it matters.

Secondary: last game's starters, almost all transfers.
Hauck - transfer from NAU
Cotton - Transfer from Oregon State
Ford - Transfer from Kansas
Dawson - Transfer from Idaho St.

Running back - best back is a JUCO transfer

QB - starter Lucas Johnson is a transfer from SDSU

D line - almost half of the two deep is transfers:
Deari Todd - Michigan St.
Eli Alford - Air Force

Kicker - Transfer
Ramos - Princeton

Your transfer argument is moronic at this point since you only use it to highlight criticism, and completely ignore it in all other facets. Who cares where our team comes from. They are number two in the nation and playing solid football. Hauck has been getting this program back to prominence and has improved the team each year since he returned. The o-line is playing well and has just one senior. Those are facts. You've already stated this team is a quarterfinal team at very best so I will make sure and update you on the season should they make it further.

 

[SoldierGriz]

I was hoping for actual facts, not your personal opinions gleaned from a grainy screen over 1000 miles away. Weakest link? That’s just like your opinion, man.
Hoops has provided real-live links showing in black and white the Oline is doing great, with support directly from the horse’s mouth. Guess you prefer info from the other end of the horse.
Got a link you can post showing facts to support your opinions?

His main source is Soldier.

Doubt it...he has eyes and a brain.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Lol. ZERO starters from any of the recruiting classes is a fact. 33 sacks last year is a fact. High dependence on transfers is a fact. Literally the ONLY “opinion” in my post is that the O-line has been the weakest link on the team for years.

Wait. What? Casey and Brown are both high school recruits starting and excelling. Two deep has a majority of recruited high schoolers, not that it even matters. High dependence on transfers? Yes at many positions, not that it matters.

Secondary: last game's starters, almost all transfers.
Hauck - transfer from NAU
Cotton - Transfer from Oregon State
Ford - Transfer from Kansas
Dawson - Transfer from Idaho St.

Running back - best back is a JUCO transfer

QB - starter Lucas Johnson is a transfer from SDSU

D line - almost half of the two deep is transfers:
Deari Todd - Michigan St.
Eli Alford - Air Force

Kicker - Transfer
Ramos - Princeton

Your transfer argument is moronic at this point since you only use it to highlight criticism, and completely ignore it in all other facets. Who cares where our team comes from. They are number two in the nation and playing solid football. Hauck has been getting this program back to prominence and has improved the team each year since he returned. The o-line is playing well and has just one senior. Those are facts. You've already stated this team is a quarterfinal team at very best so I will make sure and update you on the season should they make it further.

Yes Casey and Brown are HS recruits. I was specifically talking about the 2018, 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Lol. ZERO starters from any of the recruiting classes is a fact. 33 sacks last year is a fact. High dependence on transfers is a fact. Literally the ONLY “opinion” in my post is that the O-line has been the weakest link on the team for years.

A high number of transfer and drop-down starting o-lineman is a positive. Just like Quinn and Russum were a positive. And the kid who was briefly on the Ohio St. roster. Zero starters from any recruiting class is NOT a fact, and yes, you tried to exclude this year. Liam Brown is a starter and was the UM offensive player of the week in the 2d game. UM had a couple good JC transfers/starters. And you don't want to include Cook, who is on an NFL team? Do you really care where starters came from, and how they were recruited? Look at the backups this year. Two redshirt frosh, 2 redshirt soph, and 1 redshirt junior. Where do you think they came from?

It looks to me that your now tired compliant is about two years too late. Times have changed, but you and Soldier are still living in the past.

I do when it’s a direct reflection on the O-line coach’s ability to develop talent.

 

[SoldierGriz]

Wait. What? Casey and Brown are both high school recruits starting and excelling. Two deep has a majority of recruited high schoolers, not that it even matters. High dependence on transfers? Yes at many positions, not that it matters.

Secondary: last game's starters, almost all transfers.
Hauck - transfer from NAU
Cotton - Transfer from Oregon State
Ford - Transfer from Kansas
Dawson - Transfer from Idaho St.

Running back - best back is a JUCO transfer

QB - starter Lucas Johnson is a transfer from SDSU

D line - almost half of the two deep is transfers:
Deari Todd - Michigan St.
Eli Alford - Air Force

Kicker - Transfer
Ramos - Princeton

Your transfer argument is moronic at this point since you only use it to highlight criticism, and completely ignore it in all other facets. Who cares where our team comes from. They are number two in the nation and playing solid football. Hauck has been getting this program back to prominence and has improved the team each year since he returned. The o-line is playing well and has just one senior. Those are facts. You've already stated this team is a quarterfinal team at very best so I will make sure and update you on the season should they make it further.

Yes Casey and Brown are HS recruits. I was specifically talking about the 2018, 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes.

Not to mention the outrageous retention issue....

 

[mthoopsfan]

Lol. ZERO starters from any of the recruiting classes is a fact. 33 sacks last year is a fact. High dependence on transfers is a fact. Literally the ONLY “opinion” in my post is that the O-line has been the weakest link on the team for years.

Wait. What? Casey and Brown are both high school recruits starting and excelling. Two deep has a majority of recruited high schoolers, not that it even matters. High dependence on transfers? Yes at many positions, not that it matters.

Secondary: last game's starters, almost all transfers.
Hauck - transfer from NAU
Cotton - Transfer from Oregon State
Ford - Transfer from Kansas
Dawson - Transfer from Idaho St.

Running back - best back is a JUCO transfer

QB - starter Lucas Johnson is a transfer from SDSU

D line - almost half of the two deep is transfers:
Deari Todd - Michigan St.
Eli Alford - Air Force

Kicker - Transfer
Ramos - Princeton

Your transfer argument is moronic at this point since you only use it to highlight criticism, and completely ignore it in all other facets. Who cares where our team comes from. They are number two in the nation and playing solid football. Hauck has been getting this program back to prominence and has improved the team each year since he returned. The o-line is playing well and has just one senior. Those are facts. You've already stated this team is a quarterfinal team at very best so I will make sure and update you on the season should they make it further.

Are 7 of the two-deep high school recruits?

 

[mthoopsfan]

Yes Casey and Brown are HS recruits. I was specifically talking about the 2018, 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes.

Not to mention the outrageous retention issue....

How many of the current two-deep were high school recruits?

 

[mthoopsfan]

Alaska’s prior post mailed it.

“ Your transfer argument is moronic at this point since you only use it to highlight criticism, and completely ignore it in all other facets. Who cares where our team comes from. They are number two in the nation and playing solid football. Hauck has been getting this program back to prominence and has improved the team each year since he returned. The o-line is playing well and has just one senior. Those are facts.”

Also, as I said earlier, Soldier and AZ are posting using the facts as of a couple years ago. Could it be brain fog from long Covid, or just stubbornness?

 

[SoldierGriz]

Alaska’s prior post mailed it.

“ Your transfer argument is moronic at this point since you only use it to highlight criticism, and completely ignore it in all other facets. Who cares where our team comes from. They are number two in the nation and playing solid football. Hauck has been getting this program back to prominence and has improved the team each year since he returned. The o-line is playing well and has just one senior. Those are facts.”

Also, as I said earlier, Soldier and AZ are posting using the facts as of a couple years ago. Could it be brain fog from long Covid, or just stubbornness?

I finally figured this thing out...PR (and all of his profile names) is actually not a booster. He is a fluffer...He fluffs felons and Griz coaches. He's very good at it - just ask him.

 

[Alaska Griz]

Wait. What? Casey and Brown are both high school recruits starting and excelling. Two deep has a majority of recruited high schoolers, not that it even matters. High dependence on transfers? Yes at many positions, not that it matters.

Secondary: last game's starters, almost all transfers.
Hauck - transfer from NAU
Cotton - Transfer from Oregon State
Ford - Transfer from Kansas
Dawson - Transfer from Idaho St.

Running back - best back is a JUCO transfer

QB - starter Lucas Johnson is a transfer from SDSU

D line - almost half of the two deep is transfers:
Deari Todd - Michigan St.
Eli Alford - Air Force

Kicker - Transfer
Ramos - Princeton

Your transfer argument is moronic at this point since you only use it to highlight criticism, and completely ignore it in all other facets. Who cares where our team comes from. They are number two in the nation and playing solid football. Hauck has been getting this program back to prominence and has improved the team each year since he returned. The o-line is playing well and has just one senior. Those are facts. You've already stated this team is a quarterfinal team at very best so I will make sure and update you on the season should they make it further.

Are 7 of the two-deep high school recruits?

7 on the two deep seems right.

 

[Alaska Griz]

Yes Casey and Brown are HS recruits. I was specifically talking about the 2018, 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes.

Not to mention the outrageous retention issue....

I recall a number of o-linemen retiring for medical reasons, which I don't bash people for. It's none of my business. Can't think of many who left the program to play football somewhere else. The fact is, we return 4 out of 5 starters on the o-line next year and have a good pool of young recruits working their way into the rotation. Maybe it's time to turn the page. Doesn't seem the o-line situation is as dismal as you make it out to be.

 

[SoldierGriz]

Not to mention the outrageous retention issue....

I recall a number of o-linemen retiring for medical reasons, which I don't bash people for. It's none of my business. Can't think of many who left the program to play football somewhere else. The fact is, we return 4 out of 5 starters on the o-line next year and have a good pool of young recruits working their way into the rotation. Maybe it's time to turn the page. Doesn't seem the o-line situation is as dismal as you make it out to be.

We'll see. Combined record of Griz opponents is 2-6...with none ranked.
Better tests for the o-line forthcoming. I have graded them at C+ after the 1st game, and solid B after last 2 games...anyone can affix a grade. Not sure why you care so much. What do you grade them at?

If you don't believe there have been issues with the o-linenover the past 7 years...fine. I happen to remember what DOLA is, and it has been absent. Maybe the Griz are turning the corner, and Germer has improved at recruiting, developing, and retaining All-American caliber linemen. I hope he has.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I recall a number of o-linemen retiring for medical reasons, which I don't bash people for. It's none of my business. Can't think of many who left the program to play football somewhere else. The fact is, we return 4 out of 5 starters on the o-line next year and have a good pool of young recruits working their way into the rotation. Maybe it's time to turn the page. Doesn't seem the o-line situation is as dismal as you make it out to be.

We'll see. Combined record of Griz opponents is 2-6...with none ranked.
Better tests for the o-line forthcoming. I have graded them at C+ after the 1st game, and solid B after last 2 games...anyone can affix a grade. Not sure why you care so much. What do you grade them at?

If you don't believe there have been issues with the o-linenover the past 7 years...fine. I happen to remember what DOLA is, and it has been absent. Maybe the Griz are turning the corner, and Germer has improved at recruiting, developing, and retaining All-American caliber linemen. I hope he has.

Hauck hasn't been back for 7 years. Who cares about Stitt years? The o-line was pretty good last year. Guess you missed it.

You are living in the past. You don't seem to know much, if anything, about o-line play. You don't have access to the coaches. You don't recall ever seeing an insightful post on o-line play out of you. Hauck told the o-line last week that DOLA had returned. He and the coaches can see it. You apparently can't. As I've said, you are living in the past. Two teams from the MV conference and NW St. is good early season competition. Again, Germer hasn't had to improve anything in his coaching. He has been good all along. You aren't close enough to the program to know that, and you certainly are unable to see it.

 

[SoldierGriz]

We'll see. Combined record of Griz opponents is 2-6...with none ranked.
Better tests for the o-line forthcoming. I have graded them at C+ after the 1st game, and solid B after last 2 games...anyone can affix a grade. Not sure why you care so much. What do you grade them at?

If you don't believe there have been issues with the o-linenover the past 7 years...fine. I happen to remember what DOLA is, and it has been absent. Maybe the Griz are turning the corner, and Germer has improved at recruiting, developing, and retaining All-American caliber linemen. I hope he has.

Hauck hasn't been back for 7 years. Who cares about Stitt years? The o-line was pretty good last year. Guess you missed it.

You are living in the past. You don't seem to know much, if anything, about o-line play. You don't have access to the coaches. You don't recall ever seeing an insightful post on o-line play out of you. Hauck told the o-line last week that DOLA had returned. He and the coaches can see it. You apparently can't. As I've said, you are living in the past. Two teams from the MV conference and NW St. is good early season competition. Again, Germer hasn't had to improve anything in his coaching. He has been good all along. You aren't close enough to the program to know that, and you certainly are unable to see it.

I told you before...I am closer to the program, and those who know MUCH about the o-line in the last 7 years under CG's watchful eye. Guarantee - closer than you. I will just leave it at that.

But, PR is gonna PR. Keep fluffin.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Hauck hasn't been back for 7 years. Who cares about Stitt years? The o-line was pretty good last year. Guess you missed it.

You are living in the past. You don't seem to know much, if anything, about o-line play. You don't have access to the coaches. You don't recall ever seeing an insightful post on o-line play out of you. Hauck told the o-line last week that DOLA had returned. He and the coaches can see it. You apparently can't. As I've said, you are living in the past. Two teams from the MV conference and NW St. is good early season competition. Again, Germer hasn't had to improve anything in his coaching. He has been good all along. You aren't close enough to the program to know that, and you certainly are unable to see it.

I told you before...I am closer to the program, and those who know MUCH about the o-line in the last 7 years under CG's watchful eye. Guarantee - closer than you. I will just leave it at that.

But, PR is gonna PR. Keep fluffin.

Well I'm not closer to the program at all. All I know is what my eye sees. I went back and watched the game last night specifically focusing on the O-line. I watched Brown get absolutely owned on the first sack of Johnson. Then watching him get thrown to the ground like a ragdoll on a couple of other plays. Watching him get pushed backwards into the collapsing pocket like he's on roller skates on a number of plays.

Rushing: The majority of the running plays' success was because of the RB, not necessarily the O-line blocking. Ostmo had a 12 yard run in which a tackle was actually missed BEHIND the line of scrimmage, then he bounced off of two or three other tacklers on the way to the 12 yard gain. Harris's big gainer had first contact about 1 yard past the LOS. Lots of short gains due to O-lines inability to create holes or move the D-line (1, -7, 3, -6, 7, 6, -1, 1, 12, 4, 4, 3, 1, 16, 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 3, 3, 8, 3, 3, 4, 3, 0, -21, -3, 3, 2, 1, 2). So in 33 rushing attempts, we had 5 TOTAL that went for more than 4 yards and rushed for a total of 70 yards and 2.5 ypc. And both of the long(er) ones were essentially all on the RB. Is that REALLY the production we want/need out of our rushing attack/O-line? (Just for comparison's sake, to see how we stack up against the team we presumably think we're meeting in the chipper, here are NDSU's rushing plays against FBS University of Arizona: 5, 3, 5, 3, 6, 15, 7, 7, 2, 1, 4, 3, 5, 5, -12, 10, -1, 12, 1, 9, 2, 0, 2, 1, 6, 10, 1, 34, 19, 6, 4, 2, 4, 7, 11, 38, 22, 4 ,7, 14, -1, 0, 1, 2, -2. That's TWENTY TWO (out of 45) rushing plays over 4 yards, and ELEVEN of those were over 9 yards on their way to 283 yards rushing, on 6.3 ypc.)

Passing: IMHO the primary reason the O-line looks relatively good in pass protection is because the majority of the pass plays take less than 1.5 seconds to get the ball out of Johnson's hands. He's in the shotgun, takes the snap, makes a quick read and fires a short pass in the flat or across the middle. That is about 73% of our pass plays.

Pass Plays (including 3 that were nullified by penalty):
LJ: Short right, short right, short right
deep left, short right, deep left, deep right
deep right, short right, short right, short left
short left, deep right, deep left, short left, deep left
short left, short left
short right, deep middle, deep left, short middle
short left, short right, short right, short left
short right, short right
short middle, short right, short right, short left, short left, short left, deep middle
KB: short left, short right
short right, short left, short left, short left
short right, short left
deep left, deep left, deep left, short left, deep middle

34 "short" passes. 13 "deep" passes. Rarely is there a look downfield on a slower developing play, and RARELY do the O-linemen have to block for more than 1.5-2 seconds. And still Johnson often has to scramble and leave the "pocket" while searching for an open receiver (which he's VERY good at, by the way). So when Bobby says "we've got the right man for this system", I think that's maybe coach speak for "he can avoid the rush that's inevitably coming and still get the ball away fairly accurately to the receivers while running for his life".

One other thing I noticed: Not a SINGLE substitution on the O-line until KB came into the game. So Walker/MayGinnes/Forbes/Brown/Casey played every single meaningful offensive snap, which truly tells you what Bobby thinks of the "2-deep" backups and how well-positioned we are should one of those 5 go down with any kind of serious injury. Are they all young? Sure (well, except for Walker). Are they improving? I guess one could say that. But they'd better improve leaps and bounds or I stand by my initial observation that this unit is the weakest link and we are still no better than a quarterfinal team.

 

[Alaska Griz]

I recall a number of o-linemen retiring for medical reasons, which I don't bash people for. It's none of my business. Can't think of many who left the program to play football somewhere else. The fact is, we return 4 out of 5 starters on the o-line next year and have a good pool of young recruits working their way into the rotation. Maybe it's time to turn the page. Doesn't seem the o-line situation is as dismal as you make it out to be.

We'll see. Combined record of Griz opponents is 2-6...with none ranked.
Better tests for the o-line forthcoming. I have graded them at C+ after the 1st game, and solid B after last 2 games...anyone can affix a grade. Not sure why you care so much. What do you grade them at?

If you don't believe there have been issues with the o-linenover the past 7 years...fine. I happen to remember what DOLA is, and it has been absent. Maybe the Griz are turning the corner, and Germer has improved at recruiting, developing, and retaining All-American caliber linemen. I hope he has.

What do you mean, why I care so much? I've been around Griz athletics in different capacities since the late 90's. I know players and parents and coaches. Many parents and players read this site. I like rooting for their kids and being part of a program where they feel welcomed and want to play. I care about the team. I'm not too concerned about the last 7 years right now. I think Hauck has improved the team each year he's been back, as promised, to the point where we're now a contender.

The Griz can only beat the teams they play, and at this point in the season with only a few OC games played, combined records don't mean anything. I don't grade the o-line. I want the TEAM to win every game and peak later in the season. The o-line is protecting the QB and giving him time to throw. They seem to be improving. I like the young o-linemen and the class structure moving forward. I am proud of this team and I enjoy watching them compete.

This has the makings of a great season and I hope some of the couch coaches can take a deep breath and actually appreciate the effort and success this team achieves while understanding that health at a variety of positions on both offense and defense is likely the most important factor in a deep run.

 

[Alaska Griz]

I told you before...I am closer to the program, and those who know MUCH about the o-line in the last 7 years under CG's watchful eye. Guarantee - closer than you. I will just leave it at that.

But, PR is gonna PR. Keep fluffin.

Well I'm not closer to the program at all. All I know is what my eye sees. I went back and watched the game last night specifically focusing on the O-line. I watched Brown get absolutely owned on the first sack of Johnson. Then watching him get thrown to the ground like a ragdoll on a couple of other plays. Watching him get pushed backwards into the collapsing pocket like he's on roller skates on a number of plays.

Rushing: The majority of the running plays' success was because of the RB, not necessarily the O-line blocking. Ostmo had a 12 yard run in which a tackle was actually missed BEHIND the line of scrimmage, then he bounced off of two or three other tacklers on the way to the 12 yard gain. Harris's big gainer had first contact about 1 yard past the LOS. Lots of short gains due to O-lines inability to create holes or move the D-line (1, -7, 3, -6, 7, 6, -1, 1, 12, 4, 4, 3, 1, 16, 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 3, 3, 8, 3, 3, 4, 3, 0, -21, -3, 3, 2, 1, 2). So in 33 rushing attempts, we had 5 TOTAL that went for more than 4 yards and rushed for a total of 70 yards and 2.5 ypc. And both of the long(er) ones were essentially all on the RB. Is that REALLY the production we want/need out of our rushing attack/O-line? (Just for comparison's sake, to see how we stack up against the team we presumably think we're meeting in the chipper, here are NDSU's rushing plays against FBS University of Arizona: 5, 3, 5, 3, 6, 15, 7, 7, 2, 1, 4, 3, 5, 5, -12, 10, -1, 12, 1, 9, 2, 0, 2, 1, 6, 10, 1, 34, 19, 6, 4, 2, 4, 7, 11, 38, 22, 4 ,7, 14, -1, 0, 1, 2, -2. That's TWENTY TWO (out of 45) rushing plays over 4 yards, and ELEVEN of those were over 9 yards on their way to 283 yards rushing, on 6.3 ypc.)

Passing: IMHO the primary reason the O-line looks relatively good in pass protection is because the majority of the pass plays take less than 1.5 seconds to get the ball out of Johnson's hands. He's in the shotgun, takes the snap, makes a quick read and fires a short pass in the flat or across the middle. That is about 73% of our pass plays.

Pass Plays (including 3 that were nullified by penalty):
LJ: Short right, short right, short right
deep left, short right, deep left, deep right
deep right, short right, short right, short left
short left, deep right, deep left, short left, deep left
short left, short left
short right, deep middle, deep left, short middle
short left, short right, short right, short left
short right, short right
short middle, short right, short right, short left, short left, short left, deep middle
KB: short left, short right
short right, short left, short left, short left
short right, short left
deep left, deep left, deep left, short left, deep middle

34 "short" passes. 13 "deep" passes. Rarely is there a look downfield on a slower developing play, and RARELY do the O-linemen have to block for more than 1.5-2 seconds. And still Johnson often has to scramble and leave the "pocket" while searching for an open receiver (which he's VERY good at, by the way). So when Bobby says "we've got the right man for this system", I think that's maybe coach speak for "he can avoid the rush that's inevitably coming and still get the ball away fairly accurately to the receivers while running for his life".

One other thing I noticed: Not a SINGLE substitution on the O-line until KB came into the game. So Walker/MayGinnes/Forbes/Brown/Casey played every single meaningful offensive snap, which truly tells you what Bobby thinks of the "2-deep" backups and how well-positioned we are should one of those 5 go down with any kind of serious injury. Are they all young? Sure (well, except for Walker). Are they improving? I guess one could say that. But they'd better improve leaps and bounds or I stand by my initial observation that this unit is the weakest link and we are still no better than a quarterfinal team.

You might consider taking a deep breath and enjoying the season a little. Some good football getting played. As far as that bet, if you want to name an amount pm me. I'm good for any amount of money you want to put up.

 

[SoldierGriz]

We'll see. Combined record of Griz opponents is 2-6...with none ranked.
Better tests for the o-line forthcoming. I have graded them at C+ after the 1st game, and solid B after last 2 games...anyone can affix a grade. Not sure why you care so much. What do you grade them at?

If you don't believe there have been issues with the o-linenover the past 7 years...fine. I happen to remember what DOLA is, and it has been absent. Maybe the Griz are turning the corner, and Germer has improved at recruiting, developing, and retaining All-American caliber linemen. I hope he has.

What do you mean, why I care so much? I've been around Griz athletics in different capacities since the late 90's. I know players and parents and coaches. Many parents and players read this site. I like rooting for their kids and being part of a program where they feel welcomed and want to play. I care about the team. I'm not too concerned about the last 7 years right now. I think Hauck has improved the team each year he's been back, as promised, to the point where we're now a contender.

The Griz can only beat the teams they play, and at this point in the season with only a few OC games played, combined records don't mean anything. I don't grade the o-line. I want the TEAM to win every game and peak later in the season. The o-line is protecting the QB and giving him time to throw. They seem to be improving. I like the young o-linemen and the class structure moving forward. I am proud of this team and I enjoy watching them compete.

This has the makings of a great season and I hope some of the couch coaches can take a deep breath and actually appreciate the effort and success this team achieves while understanding that health at a variety of positions on both offense and defense is likely the most important factor in a deep run.

Why are you so emotional about the C+ grade I gave them after the 1st game...and solid Bs since then?

Why do you get emotional because I think they are the weakest position group?

Why do you get emotional because I think CG has underperformed since his return to the Griz?

You are free to have different opinions on these things...and also free to walk by my posts.

 

[SoldierGriz]

I told you before...I am closer to the program, and those who know MUCH about the o-line in the last 7 years under CG's watchful eye. Guarantee - closer than you. I will just leave it at that.

But, PR is gonna PR. Keep fluffin.

Well I'm not closer to the program at all. All I know is what my eye sees. I went back and watched the game last night specifically focusing on the O-line. I watched Brown get absolutely owned on the first sack of Johnson. Then watching him get thrown to the ground like a ragdoll on a couple of other plays. Watching him get pushed backwards into the collapsing pocket like he's on roller skates on a number of plays.

Rushing: The majority of the running plays' success was because of the RB, not necessarily the O-line blocking. Ostmo had a 12 yard run in which a tackle was actually missed BEHIND the line of scrimmage, then he bounced off of two or three other tacklers on the way to the 12 yard gain. Harris's big gainer had first contact about 1 yard past the LOS. Lots of short gains due to O-lines inability to create holes or move the D-line (1, -7, 3, -6, 7, 6, -1, 1, 12, 4, 4, 3, 1, 16, 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 3, 3, 8, 3, 3, 4, 3, 0, -21, -3, 3, 2, 1, 2). So in 33 rushing attempts, we had 5 TOTAL that went for more than 4 yards and rushed for a total of 70 yards and 2.5 ypc. And both of the long(er) ones were essentially all on the RB. Is that REALLY the production we want/need out of our rushing attack/O-line? (Just for comparison's sake, to see how we stack up against the team we presumably think we're meeting in the chipper, here are NDSU's rushing plays against FBS University of Arizona: 5, 3, 5, 3, 6, 15, 7, 7, 2, 1, 4, 3, 5, 5, -12, 10, -1, 12, 1, 9, 2, 0, 2, 1, 6, 10, 1, 34, 19, 6, 4, 2, 4, 7, 11, 38, 22, 4 ,7, 14, -1, 0, 1, 2, -2. That's TWENTY TWO (out of 45) rushing plays over 4 yards, and ELEVEN of those were over 9 yards on their way to 283 yards rushing, on 6.3 ypc.)

Passing: IMHO the primary reason the O-line looks relatively good in pass protection is because the majority of the pass plays take less than 1.5 seconds to get the ball out of Johnson's hands. He's in the shotgun, takes the snap, makes a quick read and fires a short pass in the flat or across the middle. That is about 73% of our pass plays.

Pass Plays (including 3 that were nullified by penalty):
LJ: Short right, short right, short right
deep left, short right, deep left, deep right
deep right, short right, short right, short left
short left, deep right, deep left, short left, deep left
short left, short left
short right, deep middle, deep left, short middle
short left, short right, short right, short left
short right, short right
short middle, short right, short right, short left, short left, short left, deep middle
KB: short left, short right
short right, short left, short left, short left
short right, short left
deep left, deep left, deep left, short left, deep middle

34 "short" passes. 13 "deep" passes. Rarely is there a look downfield on a slower developing play, and RARELY do the O-linemen have to block for more than 1.5-2 seconds. And still Johnson often has to scramble and leave the "pocket" while searching for an open receiver (which he's VERY good at, by the way). So when Bobby says "we've got the right man for this system", I think that's maybe coach speak for "he can avoid the rush that's inevitably coming and still get the ball away fairly accurately to the receivers while running for his life".

One other thing I noticed: Not a SINGLE substitution on the O-line until KB came into the game. So Walker/MayGinnes/Forbes/Brown/Casey played every single meaningful offensive snap, which truly tells you what Bobby thinks of the "2-deep" backups and how well-positioned we are should one of those 5 go down with any kind of serious injury. Are they all young? Sure (well, except for Walker). Are they improving? I guess one could say that. But they'd better improve leaps and bounds or I stand by my initial observation that this unit is the weakest link and we are still no better than a quarterfinal team.