Joe Rudolph - Offensive Line Coach

[Polish Leppy 22]

Eight game win streak minus Greathouse and a banged up offensive line, dudes here still know more.

Just slapped one of the best rush defenses in America around on their home field but failed to convert a fourth and goal, which just can't happen if they should hypothetically play Ohio State or Georgia.

I mean, to each their own, but I'm really enjoying the overall experience here rather than focusing on small warts and what could go wrong in a month.

Team Glory, etc.

Man I thought Balki wore green sunglasses. Do you work for the ND athletic dept?

ND is on a nice 8 game win streak and the most impressive one was against a 2 loss USC team. Don't talk like this is the Aggies ripping through the SEC unscathed.

You failed to mention that at least 4 times in short yardage vs Pitt, Denbrock chose to throw the quick out to Rairdon instead of trying to run it for a yard or two. That's a big problem for any ND team.

 

[Crazy Balki]

It doesn't help that ND is basically without their top 3 interior guys right now, and one of the replacements is playing hurt (Otting).

Schrauth will be back for the playoff and Otting should have time to rest up and heal his ankle. He's been good when healthy.

Big variable is the status of Jagusah. We're 19 weeks removed from when he initially broke his arm. If he's back and healthy come playoff time, he'd be a massive boost.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Man I thought Balki wore green sunglasses. Do you work for the ND athletic dept?

ND is on a nice 8 game win streak and the most impressive one was against a 2 loss USC team. Don't talk like this is the Aggies ripping through the SEC unscathed.

You failed to mention that at least 4 times in short yardage vs Pitt, Denbrock chose to throw the quick out to Rairdon instead of trying to run it for a yard or two. That's a big problem for any ND team.

You act like A&M has had a murderers row in the SEC. They've managed to go through an entire SEC slate without playing Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Oklahoma or Georgia. To date, these are the SEC teams A&M has beaten:

Auburn (4-6 / 1-6)
Mississippi State (5-6 / 1-6)
Florida (3-7 / 2-5)
Arkansas (2-8 / 0-6)
LSU (6-4 / 3-4)
Missouri (7-3 / 3-3)
South Carolina (3-7 / 1-7)

A&M has played 7 SEC teams, of which, all but two have losing records, and all of them are .500 or worse in conference play. 4 of the 7 teams they've played have a combined total of three conference wins.

 

[Bane]

Man I thought Balki wore green sunglasses. Do you work for the ND athletic dept?

ND is on a nice 8 game win streak and the most impressive one was against a 2 loss USC team. Don't talk like this is the Aggies ripping through the SEC unscathed.

You failed to mention that at least 4 times in short yardage vs Pitt, Denbrock chose to throw the quick out to Rairdon instead of trying to run it for a yard or two. That's a big problem for any ND team.

The Aggies' best win is against us and it's not even particularly close. To their credit, yes they did beat us and they're enjoying the fruits of that by being ranked #3 in the country. But you can't just say "SEC" like it's a trump card. Look at their schedule, it's not very good. In part it's not their fault (LSU sucks, Texas isn't very good, and Florida didn't pan out), but they also ducked Alabama, UGA, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Probably the second best team they will play is a mediocre Texas team. To shit on our schedule and then prop up aTm's by just simply invoking "the SEC" is very misleading.

I also wouldn't classify beating an Auburn team with an offense that sets football back 100 years by 6 at home, a bad Arkansas team by 3, and eeking out a 1 point win at home against a bad SCAR team after a miracle comeback "ripping through the SEC." They also beat us by 1 after a missed extra point and an extremely bad missed holding call on a 4th and goal situation.

I'm pretty skeptical on aTm. Maybe they beat Bama/UGA in the SECCG and go on a run in the playoffs and I'll admit I was wrong, but we'll see.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

JFC.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

If you keep the experience you don’t start off rough and injuries don’t hurt nearly as much. The 3 that left will all most certainly get drafted. You don’t let NFL experience walk away. You pay them and tell them they will get the snaps. A 5th year or senior is more valuable than a future first round sophomore or even junior. Maybe with very rare exceptions, very rare. That’s how I see it any way. If ND has the 3 that left ND is most likely undefeated right now. They lost so much experience and leadership with those loses.

So you tell the seniors/5th year seniors they are guaranteed a spot even though they aren't as good or can't be guaranteed to be as good as the others vying for a position on the line? And you believe that would somehow create a good locker room dynamic? Freeman's whole mantra is if you consistently perform in practice, you earn your spot on Saturdays.

These players had already lost their jobs to younger players but they were valuable depth. They would've been excellent to have right now but what you suggest would've led to other systemic issues.

I think your view is perhaps a tad rosy and incomplete.

 

[Wild Bill]

It doesn't help that ND is basically without their top 3 interior guys right now, and one of the replacements is playing hurt (Otting).

Schrauth will be back for the playoff and Otting should have time to rest up and heal his ankle. He's been good when healthy.

Big variable is the status of Jagusah. We're 19 weeks removed from when he initially broke his arm. If he's back and healthy come playoff time, he'd be a massive boost.

Otting is playing hurt? Great.

I think omalley said teh other day they aren’t giving any info on Jagusah’s recovery. A while back someone on the beat was asked if he’d return this year, and he said he didn't know but his facial expression said no chance.

 

[SDIrishFan]

I think omalley said teh other day they aren’t giving any info on Jagusah’s recovery. A while back someone on the beat was asked if he’d return this year, and he said he didn't know but his facial expression said no chance.

This is sort of the read between the lines impression I've gotten. We're 2 months from the CFP final, so, I suppose it's possible, but it seems doubtful.

Getting Schrauth back healthy would be huge though.

 

[T-Boone]

Unless the OL starts struggling you wouldn't put Jag back in anyway especially not if Schrauth is back. He can be the 6th man if he doesn't ski down Mt Everest or some such.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Unless the OL starts struggling you wouldn't put Jag back in anyway especially not if Schrauth is back. He can be the 6th man if he doesn't ski down Mt Everest or some such.

Strongly disagree. Jagusah is a wrecking ball. If he can play, he will play.

 

[TorontoGold]

Unless the OL starts struggling you wouldn't put Jag back in anyway especially not if Schrauth is back. He can be the 6th man if he doesn't ski down Mt Everest or some such.

No. You fit in Jagusah in as soon he’s healthy.

 

[Wild Bill]

I agree - if he’s healthy, it’s hard to keep him off the field. It was basically teh same situation last year, and he came in and absolutely dominated in both games against two great defensive lines. I honestly couldn’t believe how well he played given the circumstances. I’m not sure they beat PSU if he doesn’t come into that game.

The question is where you put him. Last year he played out of necessity because of an injury - first at guard, then at tackle if i recall correctly.

This year, assuming Bill Boy comes back and everyone else stays healthy, getting the best five on the field probably means Otting comes off, Knapp moves to center, and Jags slides in at tackle. That’s a tough call, and it likely comes down to how comfortable they are with Knapp at center.

It’s been a fun watching Love and the offense this year, but losing the chance to watch an oline with jags and craig opening up holes for Love makes me sick.

 

[Old Man Mike]

About the Big Fella (Jagusah): I don't know what exactly that "arm" fracture is, but my BBaller "recovered" in about 6 (?) months, but it was a recovery which still had a light cast with it. He could play/shoot etc, but still had the cast. Do they let OLinemen play with a "Club"?

 

[RudyVerse]

We still have 5 weeks until playoff round 1. I'm still hopeful Jagusah is back.

 

[Wild Bill]

About the Big Fella (Jagusah): I don't know what exactly that "arm" fracture is, but my BBaller "recovered" in about 6 (?) months, but it was a recovery which still had a light cast with it. He could play/shoot etc, but still had the cast. Do they let OLinemen play with a "Club"?

They thought he woudl be back by USC after the surgery. I think the issue is he had to have a second surgery. I think it may have involved an infection but could be wrong. Whatever it is, I took it to be more problematic than the original surgery.

 

[stlnd01]

I agree - if he’s healthy, it’s hard to keep him off the field. It was basically teh same situation last year, and he came in and absolutely dominated in both games against two great defensive lines. I honestly couldn’t believe how well he played given the circumstances. I’m not sure they beat PSU if he doesn’t come into that game.

The question is where you put him. Last year he played out of necessity because of an injury - first at guard, then at tackle if i recall correctly.

This year, assuming Bill Boy comes back and everyone else stays healthy, getting the best five on the field probably means Otting comes off, Knapp moves to center, and Jags slides in at tackle. That’s a tough call, and it likely comes down to how comfortable they are with Knapp at center.

So for the playoffs, you’re changing out your center for a guy who has never played a snap there and your blind side tackle with a (very talented) guard who hasn’t played a snap all season.

What could go wrong?!?

 

[allenm5333]

So for the playoffs, you’re changing out your center for a guy who has never played a snap there and your blind side tackle with a (very talented) guard who hasn’t played a snap all season.

What could go wrong?!?

This was honestly what Hansen suggested. It scares me. But ISD is talking about how banged up Otting is right now. Im wondering is Sully plays center in playoffs

 

[T-Boone]

No. You fit in Jagusah in as soon he’s healthy.

Who are you leaving out that doesnt disrupt everything?
Just have him on the bench and bring him in if the running game is not working out.

 

[Dale]

Who are you leaving out that doesnt disrupt everything?
Just have him on the bench and bring him in if the running game is not working out.

I would sit any of the 5 to get Jagusah in the lineup

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Who are you leaving out that doesnt disrupt everything?
Just have him on the bench and bring him in if the running game is not working out.

Would you keep Q on the bench? Martin? Alt? Jagusah is at the same level as those guys. If he’s healthy, he plays. He plays because he’s the best OL on the team.

 

[FWIrish4]

This was honestly what Hansen suggested. It scares me. But ISD is talking about how banged up Otting is right now. Im wondering is Sully plays center in playoffs

If injury is your only reason for replacing Otting for Sully, Otting would be healthier by the time playoffs begin with around 4 weeks in between.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Would you keep Q on the bench? Martin? Alt? Jagusah is at the same level as those guys. If he’s healthy, he plays. He plays because he’s the best OL on the team.

The same level as two definite NFL Hall of Famer’s with Alt not far behind?

 

[SeekNDestroy]

The same level as two definite NFL Hall of Famer’s with Alt not far behind?

Yes, he’s that dominant. If you have the time, watch him against PSU and OSU. He was mauling dudes.

 

[TorontoGold]

Who are you leaving out that doesnt disrupt everything?
Just have him on the bench and bring him in if the running game is not working out.

Thumbs down? You ok buddy?

You put him in the lineup as was intended pre-injury. He was the highest graded OL in the PSU and OSU games.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Yes, he’s that dominant. If you have the time, watch him against PSU and OSU. He was mauling dudes.

This guy gets it. No one starts over Schrauth. No one starts over Jagusah.

If they are healthy/cleared, they play. I don't think people really understand what we lost this year with Jagusah out. He was one of our 3 best OL and probably not 3rd. He opens running lanes that would've resulted in probably 3-500 more yards spread across the carries. We'd be far better in short yardage with him and Schrauth out there.

Just a totally different unit if he doesn't get invited to Wyoming.

 

[greyhammer90]

This guy gets it. No one starts over Schrauth. No one starts over Jagusah.

If they are healthy/cleared, they play. I don't think people really understand what we lost this year with Jagusah out. He was one of our 3 best OL and probably not 3rd. He opens running lanes that would've resulted in probably 3-500 more yards spread across the carries. We'd be far better in short yardage with him and Schrauth out there.

Just a totally different unit if he doesn't get invited to Wyoming.

Shit now I'm annoyed again

 

[Crazy Balki]

If you keep the experience you don’t start off rough and injuries don’t hurt nearly as much. The 3 that left will all most certainly get drafted. You don’t let NFL experience walk away. You pay them and tell them they will get the snaps. A 5th year or senior is more valuable than a future first round sophomore or even junior. Maybe with very rare exceptions, very rare. That’s how I see it any way. If ND has the 3 that left ND is most likely undefeated right now. They lost so much experience and leadership with those loses.

Unless those snaps were starting snaps, then it's irrelevant.

And if they were, watch Jagusah, Craig and others walk away.

You can't keep everybody. Guys want to start. Coogan and Spindler aren't sticking around to be rotational guys, at best, and even that, you'd be hard press to convince them that they'd actually rotate. They've been in the system long enough to know how things work. Spindler and Coogan don't have time to see how things unfold. They need guarantees, because they only had a season of football left to bolster their draft stock.

You look everywhere, practically all programs don't have a Coogan or Spindler as viable backups. Essentially, ND lucked out, because Spindler and Coogan were solid starters, but injuries and players elevating themselves pushed them to backup roles. Then injuries to those players got them back into starting roles.

That is not a common occurrence.

 

[Wild Bill]

Yes, he’s that dominant. If you have the time, watch him against PSU and OSU. He was mauling dudes.

If you have access to the game in skycast or whatever the hell espn called it, watch it there. He's dominant. Fun to watch

 

[Dale]

I think folks that lament that we did not keep Coogan, Spindler etc don’t have the correct timeline in their head of how things transpired.

It was not simply bench > starters > was told they wouldn’t be starters > transfer.

It was bench > began looking for other 2025 destinations > starter > told they wouldn’t be starters > finalize transfer.

Coogan and Spindler began the process to transfer months before January. Coogan’s girlfriend also goes to IU and Spindler had considered transferring multiple times. We didn’t just send them walking papers post Natty run.

 

[T-Boone]

Thumbs down? You ok buddy?

You put him in the lineup as was intended pre-injury. He was the highest graded OL in the PSU and OSU games.

No, I am going through a tough time but I have felt a LOT better since giving out the said thumbs down.