Getting Ready for 2022-(Offensive Line)

[tarlhawk]

Current review of existing Offensive groups (Offensive Line) and draft prospects:

Coaching
Offensive Coordinator- (Shane Waldron) Experience: 8 years
Senior Offensive Assistant (Nate Carroll) Experience: 10 years
Offensive Line (Andy Dickerson) Experience: 16 years

Just as "new" defensive philosophy is in place to reshape our defenses pass rush potential...we have equally scheme shifting potential in our disparaged O-Line. O-Line coach Andy Dickerson aims to support our Offensive Coordinators (Shane Waldron) playbook to "unlock" the full potential of our explosive play makers.

The "linchpin" for getting our coaching on firm ground is an experienced center (Austin Blythe) Communication and experience with what Coach Dickerson wants to do is an advantage Austin offers to his line mates. My expectations of our O-Line interior is to flank Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes on either side of center. Our bookend tackles will be 2022 draftee Charles Cross at LT and 2022 draftee Abraham Lucas at RT (Lucas will have to learn quickly to surpass Jake Curhan (our encumbant RT).

Run Blocking: Our O-line alignment/play will be more of an emphasis on run blocking relying more on athleticism than power to clear quick lanes/creases. Fortunately for our young line Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker III have excellent vision and burst ability to make the O-Line look good.

Pass Blocking: With RW and former O-Line coach Mike Solari gone our O-Line technique emphasis can shift from a power type Two Hand Punch to an Independant hand/maintain contact zone type. This shift in technique emphasis should minimize the instant pressure type risk that a Two Hand Punch technique invites. Shane Waldrons wide spread type offense play calling should allow quicker reads of whoever is executing at QB...decisive QB play should minimize the time needed for pass pro blocks to be sustained...less sacks and less holding calls exist when passes are crisp with a quicker release from the pocket.

Our depth at O-Line is still in a cautious state with Stone Forsythe as an untested back-up at OT and reserve Guard strength being in the form of Gabe Jackson/Kyle Fuller and perhaps an UDFA Shamarious Gilmore. Center depth is high risk currently with untested Dakoda Shepley (over Kyle Fuller)


Projected Starters

Three scouting superlatives with one detraction:


Charles Cross (LT 6'5" 315 Age21 yrs)

Glides in his pass set with excellent range to get to his landmarks balanced and under control to frame up rushers.
Plays with tremendous weight distribution and balance to consistently stay centered on defenders from snap to finish.
Alert on stunts to pass off penetrators and pick up loopers.

One Detraction
— The Air Raid system puts the OL in very wide splits, increasing the distance rushers have to travel to the quarterback and on stunts, providing the tackles with more space and time to get to their landmarks.


Damien Lewis (LG 6'2" 325 Age25 yrs)

Competed in the toughest conference in college football, and LSU faced elite competition in high-stakes environments over the last two seasons.

Puts the clamps on defenders, screws his elbows into his frame and straight-up outmuscles defenders for vertical displacement at the line of scrimmage.

Solid posterior chain allows him to engage his hips and lower back as a drive-blocker; elbows, hips, feet work in concert in the run game and help him take powerful, ground-thumping steps into and through contact.

One detraction:
—So confident in his power and base that he is too willing to let contact happen; needs to demonstrate he can strike and create separation sooner when needed.


Austin Blythe ( C 6'2" 292 Age29 yrs)

Blythe is also one of the smartest offensive linemen in the draft, showing excellent awareness to recognize stunts and twists up front.
Helps on the crasher before swiveling his hips to pick up the looper and run his opponent up the arc, maintaining a clean pocket.
Defensive tackles twist and Blythe controls both gaps flawlessly. You really have to delay your rushers or overload the A-gaps if you want to get interior pressure past Blythe.

One detraction:
It is critical that undersized blockers understand how to use a defender’s momentum against them rather than trying to maul people every snap.


Phil Haynes (RG 6'4" 322 Age26 yrs)

Excellent overall athletic frame that carries weight well and looks like a more muscular and filled-out prospect than most in this class.
One of the top guys in this class at punching and locking out with good elbow torque to control defenders early in the rep.
Heavy hitter who looks to rock dudes with every opportunity and can stun pass-rushers quickly when his punch is timed up and lands flush.

One detraction:
—Shows a tendency to have a one-track mind in pass pro and has to remember to play with his eyes up to pass off games and recognize movement sooner.


Jake Curhan (RT 6'6" 316 Age24 yrs)

Very good snap timing and light feet that give him a puncher's chance against speed off the edge.
Plenty of girth and size with a large wingspan to present a legitimate obstacle for defenders to work around.
Plays with a ton of energy and conviction with unexpected play speed given his athletic limitations.

One detraction:
—Lumbering mover when tracking down second-level targets with poor change of direction.

[tarlhawk]

Just in case Abraham Lucas is able to claim RT out of camp:

Abe Lucas (RT 6'6" 322 Age23 yrs)

Solid play speed and initial quickness to close space and cover up rushers on jump sets and track smaller targets on the move.
Uses his quickness, big body and length to cover up and pin the frontside end on outside zone concepts.
Flashes different hand techniques in pass protection to stay unpredictable.


One detraction:
— Slow to anchor with a narrow base and struggles to generate force through the in-steps of his feet, gets lifted and blown up versus rushers that can convert speed to power.

[Aseahawkfan]

We invested a lot in tackle again. I hope it pays off this time. I get so tired of seeing our failed O-line picks. They gotta work out at some point? Right? Right guys?

[NorthHawk]

They’ve never been good at developing OL and especially OT. With the exception of Okung, the best OTs have been
trades or FAs.
I’m optimistic but maybe foolishly so.