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Spring Preview: Offensive line

  • http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/Spring-preview-of-Penn-State-offensive-line-121369

    We wrap up our spring preview series with an analysis of Mac McWhorter's offensive linemen.

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    Follow me on Twitter @jeffrice247 jrice@247sports.com

    Jeff Rice ●

  • I'm thinking we should save all of Jeff's fearless predictions to
    1.) make fun of them when they are wrong
    2.) conveniently forget about them when they are right

    PSU12

  • Pretty good predictions.

    Smith-Dieff-Howle-Ursch-Gress is my guess, with Mangiro and Laurent the key interior backups and Gilliam the key tackle backup.

    Did you forget Alosi?

    I don't think Cadogan will rejoin the group, and if he does he is unlikely to contribute. There are better and younger backup options.

    This post was edited by charlton on 3/15/2013 at 9:45 AM

    charlton

  • PSU12 said...

    I'm thinking we should save all of Jeff's fearless predictions to 1.) make fun of them when they are wrong 2.) conveniently forget about them when they are right

    I can see both happening.

    The one I might (and should) take some grief for is the pick about the RBs only getting 1,700 total yards, which includes receiving. Probably shouldn't have sniffed as much glue that morning.

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    Follow me on Twitter @jeffrice247 jrice@247sports.com

    Jeff Rice ●

  • Jeff Rice said...

    Probably shouldn't have sniffed as much glue that morning.

    Just remember that rehab is for quitters Jeff. Do what makes you happy.

    MTayl72 ●

  • charlton said...

    Pretty good predictions.

    Smith-Dieff-Howle-Ursch-Gress is my guess, with Mangiro and Laurent the key interior backups and Gilliam the key tackle backup.

    Did you forget Alosi?

    I don't think Cadogan will rejoin the group, and if he does he is unlikely to contribute. There are better and younger backup options.

    I did forget Alosi, because I didn't know whether to put him at guard or tackle.

    Cadogan will see some time on both sides of the ball this spring, I believe.

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    Follow me on Twitter @jeffrice247 jrice@247sports.com

    Jeff Rice ●

  • Jeff Rice said...

    I can see both happening.

    The one I might (and should) take some grief for is the pick about the RBs only getting 1,700 total yards, which includes receiving. Probably shouldn't have sniffed as much glue that morning.

    Looks like you picked the wrong week to quit smoking.

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    psubills62

  • This is going to be one of the strongest positions on the team.... and will be a big reason why whoever wins the QB job will have success this season. The running game will pound people and this line should do a nice job on pass-pro.

    GRS154

  • GRS154 said...

    This is going to be one of the strongest positions on the team.... and will be a big reason why whoever wins the QB job will have success this season. The running game will pound people and this line should do a nice job on pass-pro.

    Unless we have a black hole at RT. I pray Gress starts to lock that down or Gilliam shocks us. Shrive, well...yeah.

    MTayl72 ●

  • MTayl72 said...

    Unless we have a black hole at RT. I pray Gress starts to lock that down or Gilliam shocks us. Shrive, well...yeah.

    You're the guru and sure there is a weak spot at RT but it's not like Mike Farrell was a revelation at the position, was he?

    Aren't there ways to protect your RT--particularly sliding protections to the right side, chipping with a FB, RB, or HB, or putting a TE in-line on the right side?

    What about even putting Gilliam in at the strong-side TE spot next to Gress like he was last year when we go "big"?

    Obviously, these are not ideal, but the staff showed they will and can adjust to strengths and weaknesses as they arise in-game and in-season.

    GRS154

  • GRS154 said...

    You're the guru and sure there is a weak spot at RT but it's not like Mike Farrell was a revelation at the position, was he?

    Aren't there ways to protect your RT--particularly sliding protections to the right side, chipping with a FB, RB, or HB, or putting a TE in-line on the right side?

    What about even putting Gilliam in at the strong-side TE spot next to Gress like he was last year when we go "big"?

    Obviously, these are not ideal, but the staff showed they will and can adjust to strengths and weaknesses as they arise in-game and in-season.

    Sure you can. But every single one of those things rakes away a weapon, certain formations, tempo of the offense, etc. Depends on how big the problem is really, you don't want to slow it down because if one guy. I think we'll be serviceable there, where we were average to above average last year.

    MTayl72 ●

  • MTayl72 said...

    Sure you can. But every single one of those things rakes away a weapon, certain formations, tempo of the offense, etc. Depends on how big the problem is really, you don't want to slow it down because if one guy. I think we'll be serviceable there, where we were average to above average last year.

    Absolutely.... just saying that I trust the staff to fix the problem if/when it occurs.

    I'm thinking that they'll be able to find SOMEONE to be average again at the RT spot.

    GRS154

  • MTayl72 said...

    Unless we have a black hole at RT. I pray Gress starts to lock that down or Gilliam shocks us. Shrive, well...yeah.

    Agree. And unless we are desperate, I would like to see the backup reps going to players with remaining eligibility (instead of to Shrive). We have lots of guys fitting that description on the inside, and we have Gilliam with remaining eligibility at tackle.

    charlton

  • MTayl72 said...

    Unless we have a black hole at RT. I pray Gress starts to lock that down or Gilliam shocks us. Shrive, well...yeah.

    Gress' footwork is just as bad as Shrive's shortcomings. Gress was abused last year.

    pennstate2012 ●

  • pennstate2012 said...

    Gress' footwork is just as bad as Shrive's shortcomings. Gress was abused last year.

    And Shrive plays like he's afraid he'll hurt someone out there. I hope we can coach up Gress, I have no hope for Shrive finding a mean strak.

    MTayl72 ●

  • MTayl72 said...

    And Shrive plays like he's afraid he'll hurt someone out there.

    Except when he's punching a player from the NAVY in the face!

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    RWC5113 ●

  • RWC5113 said...

    Except when he's punching a player from the NAVY in the face!

    When that happens in play I'll get excited. Unless he wins the job (which I doubt) his reps need to go more to younger players to get them ready to actually contribute on more than the PAT team.

    MTayl72 ●

  • The good news about RT is that we have a lot of guys competing for the spot. For sheer statistical reasons, the more you have there the more likely someone is to step up. Gilliam, Shrive, Alosi, Gress, maybe even Nelson. Lots of competition there.

    new-era said... Psu doesnt have enough to beat the conferences better teams and wiscy is one of them.

    leftcoastlion ●

  • I personally believe that Gilliam will be the starting RT by the time BIG games start. He seems to be far more athletic and light on his feet that the other two and he can block.

    LafayetteLion ●

  • I'm expecting Smith to have an All Big Ten worthy season.

    Apollo75

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