Offensive Line Thread

Wingman Ray

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a>'s starting offensive line averages 6-5.1 and 315 pounds. That's bigger than 9 teams that made the 2015 NFL Playoffs.</p>— Bryan Driskell (@BGI_CoachD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_CoachD/status/768643794573025280">August 25, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a>'s OL in 2012 averaged just 302.6. It's biggest OL was 310 pounds. The 2016 unit AVERAGES 315 pounds.</p>— Bryan Driskell (@BGI_CoachD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_CoachD/status/768646777675186176">August 25, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Another reason why the offense should be run heavy and another reason why HH is the best hire by BK

If ND cant run at will all season, then something is very, very wrong.
 

NDMontana

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Hiestand

Hiestand

I have seen threads regarding Booker and VanGorder (well deserved) and Kelly (getting close to well deserved) but nothing on Hiestand. The guy might be able to recruit well but his lines are always lacking something: the sacks may not have piled up but UT brought pressure against Nelson and McGlinchy (two of the supposed NFL bound players) with ease and at the end of the game, when ND needed yards (thinking of the second to last drive), the line was blown up.

Shoot, even on the second to last possession of regulation on what had to be an unexpected draw play on third and 12 they didn't block well. Take Folston's 54 yard run off the board and he had 17 carries for 34 yards, Adams had 11 for 43 and Kizer had 77 (scrambling on some of it). In fairness, it's cherry picking to look at stats minus the one long run--stats are stats--but after the first drive this offensive line was underwhelming. They got pushed around by a Texas group that bled yards on the run last year.

The only time I have seen an ND offensive line pound an opponent in the Kelly era and even perhaps extending back to the Weis era, was the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers.
 
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IrishLax

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We certainly pounded it against teams like Miami, the entire 2012 season, USC, and Navy. There is no rationale for removing Hiestand, who is widely regarded in the profession as the best OL coach in the country.

EDIT: removed snark.
 
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BabyIrish

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I watched the draft breakdown video of McGlinchey in the post thread and to my untrained eye, he had a very solid day. Did he have a few hiccups? Sure. But very solid overall and a number of times he was driving people downfield in run blocking. I didn't go and watch the other 4 but was pleased with our LT
 

GowerND11

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While we didn't get the amount of yards we would have liked to on the ground this week, I saw a line that was well coached. Part of the reason we didn't run too well, was they stacked the box on every possession Zaire was in. Another was that we were behind 17 at one point, and were in a shoot out.

I thought our line did a good job pushing the LOS forwards on many inside run plays. They don't look like much in the box score, but some of those 4 yard runs, while not highlight worthy, were our OL surging forward and our backs staying low. The times we struggled to run were when they stacked the box and we didn't check to a pass.
 

IrishLax

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While we didn't get the amount of yards we would have liked to on the ground this week, I saw a line that was well coached. Part of the reason we didn't run too well, was they stacked the box on every possession Zaire was in. Another was that we were behind 17 at one point, and were in a shoot out.

I thought our line did a good job pushing the LOS forwards on many inside run plays. They don't look like much in the box score, but some of those 4 yard runs, while not highlight worthy, were our OL surging forward and our backs staying low. The times we struggled to run were when they stacked the box and we didn't check to a pass.

They also routinely stacked it once Hunter went out after the targeting-not-targeting hit because they weren't afraid of getting beat deep.
 

IrishLion

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They also routinely stacked it once Hunter went out after the targeting-not-targeting hit because they weren't afraid of getting beat deep.

I (kind of) understand going conservative at the end of the game after your defense has kind of turned it around and played respectable football in the second half at times. My biggest playcalling gripe was that they weren't trying harder to force it to ESB, especially on a couple more throws deep down the field.

It's obvious to me that ESB needs to be the primary target, with Hunter complimenting as the third-down possession guy and CJ complimenting us the underneath guy to keep the middle and the linebackers honest.
 

irishff1014

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This group IMO didn't hurt the team. They just need to get some playing time together. I think they will still be very effective this year.
 

Veritate Duce Progredi

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I have seen threads regarding Booker and VanGorder (well deserved) and Kelly (getting close to well deserved) but nothing on Hiestand. The guy might be able to recruit well but his lines are always lacking something: the sacks may not have piled up but UT brought pressure against Nelson and McGlinchy (two of the supposed NFL bound players) with ease and at the end of the game, when ND needed yards (thinking of the second to last drive), the line was blown up.

Shoot, even on the second to last possession of regulation on what had to be an unexpected draw play on third and 12 they didn't block well. Take Folston's 54 yard run off the board and he had 17 carries for 34 yards, Adams had 11 for 43 and Kizer had 77 (scrambling on some of it). In fairness, it's cherry picking to look at stats minus the one long run--stats are stats--but after the first drive this offensive line was underwhelming. They got pushed around by a Texas group that bled yards on the run last year.

The only time I have seen an ND offensive line pound an opponent in the Kelly era and even perhaps extending back to the Weis era, was the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers.

Nominated for dumbest post I've seen in the past 48 hours. That says a lot.
 

NDMontana

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Nominated for dumbest post I've seen in the past 48 hours. That says a lot.

Seen the analysis in more than a few places: the line play wasn't good. There are plenty of teams who line up against stacked boxes at the end of games and some how manage to gain yards.

But by all means, just say the post is "dumb"....don't offer a differing viewpoint, contrary anecdotal evidence....just insult the idea.
 

IrishLax

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Seen the analysis in more than a few places: the line play wasn't good. There are plenty of teams who line up against stacked boxes at the end of games and some how manage to gain yards.

But by all means, just say the post is "dumb"....don't offer a differing viewpoint, contrary anecdotal evidence....just insult the idea.

Here's the contradictory evidence:
1. You flat out admit to cherry picking stats, and we had 206 yards rushing. Your entire premise doesn't make sense. And with Kizer + Hunter in the game, our YPC was up around 6.0 which is VERY healthy.
2. You are simply incorrect about us "not pounding the ball on teams besides Rutgers." It's just factually wrong, and there is no debate there.
3. Questioning a guy who universally regarded as an amazing coach by every professional in the business is a non-starter.

The end.
 

NDinL.A.

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Seen the analysis in more than a few places: the line play wasn't good. There are plenty of teams who line up against stacked boxes at the end of games and some how manage to gain yards.

But by all means, just say the post is "dumb"....don't offer a differing viewpoint, contrary anecdotal evidence....just insult the idea.

Dude, we ran for 299 yards again Stanford last year, and you said that you didn't consider that "pounding an opponent". I mean, that pretty negates anything said in my view because it's so ridiculously skewed.
 

TP81989

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They were not able to grind it out on the ground once they took the lead in the 4th which teams with great o-lines need to do.

One more good drive when they were up 4 or when it was tied at 37 wins the game.
 

drayer54

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It looked like they were overcoming noise on what issues they had. This unit is the strength of the team in both players and coaches. This is the Harry is awesome thread and anyone suggesting anything else can go back to roll tide.com or wherever else you belong.
 

Veritate Duce Progredi

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Seen the analysis in more than a few places: the line play wasn't good. There are plenty of teams who line up against stacked boxes at the end of games and some how manage to gain yards.

But by all means, just say the post is "dumb"....don't offer a differing viewpoint, contrary anecdotal evidence....just insult the idea.

Alright, since I've been drinking a beer and since you're choosing to ignore the massive amount of information out there:

1. He developed Zach Martin into a first year rookie pro bowler which almost never happens. He also put Watt in the league. He follows that up by making Stanley a top 7 pick in last year's draft and getting younger Martin taken in the first 3 rounds. Stanley's grading so far has been very good.

2. We've been averaging over 200 yds/game rushing for quite some time and we often have two back approaching the century milestone each game. (In the Charlies years we just wanted one back to ecipse a hundo).

3. He recruits incredibly well and has multiple players ready to step in. Bars went down and we replaced him and kept chugging last year.

Just wait till this offensive line with three new starters has enough time to gel. You'll be eating those words as you watch our RBs eat on Saturdays.

You are the only one presenting anecdotal evidence after a single f*ckin game so GTFO or STFU or post better. Hiestand is one of the few coaches that is at the top of his field. People all over the media (including players) praise him as a tactician and coach.
 
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koonja

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Relatively speaking, Histand and Sanford are our two best coaches. Then it's a noticeably drop to BK/Denbrock/Alford, then a significant drop to everyone else IMO.
 

BabyIrish

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Relatively speaking, Histand and Sanford are our two best coaches. Then it's a noticeably drop to BK/Denbrock/Alford, then a significant drop to everyone else IMO.

I'd put the offensive coaches all on the same tier except Booler, the offense has been clicking for at least the past two years. I'd put Gilmore, Booker, and Elston as a noticeable drop and then Vangorder and Lyght as a significant drop
 
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koonja

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I'd put the offensive coaches all on the same tier except Booler, the offense has been clicking for at least the past two years. I'd put Gilmore, Booker, and Elston as a noticeable drop and then Vangorder and Lyght as a significant drop

Gilmore has shown me nothing to date. Not impressed with the LBs either. I honestly don't like any of our defensive coaches. I get that it's hard to dislike Lyght, but show me where our DBs are excelling.
 
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koonja

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I actually thought our run blocking was really good, and our pass blocking was good. We lost this game because 1) Our defense is swiss cheese, and 2) Malik played too much. Malik didn't hurt us, but count me on the boat that thinks Kizer is special. And I was all in on Malik preseason.
 

BabyIrish

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Gilmore has shown me nothing to date. Not impressed with the LBs either. I honestly don't like any of our defensive coaches. I get that it's hard to dislike Lyght, but show me where our DBs are excelling.

I agree I'm not impressed with our defensive coaches as well but I feel that Gilmore and elston are better than BVG and Lyght right now.
 
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koonja

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I agree I'm not impressed with our defensive coaches as well but I feel that Gilmore and elston are better than BVG and Lyght right now.

Trumbetti gets worse every year it seems, or at least not better. Tillery looks the same as last year after one game, Rochelle the same. Day looked good, Jones looked worse. I just don't see improvement. Love to be wrong though if they change it around!
 

Sherm Sticky

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Trumbetti gets worse every year it seems, or at least not better. Tillery looks the same as last year after one game, Rochelle the same. Day looked good, Jones looked worse. I just don't see improvement. Love to be wrong though if they change it around!



Koon you have to be drunk.

1. I agree about Trumbetti. Mind boggling with all his talent.

2. Rochelle the same? You are drunk. Rochelle had a near dominant game. NFL scouts raved about his performance and according to NFL.com his stock is up after the first week. He forced the poor throw on the int by getting pressure. IMO he was our best defender.

3. Day looked good? I'm sorry I have no idea, I didn't watch the Jaguars game, please tell how he played.

4. Jones looked worse? It was his first full game back in over a year. He also blocked the extra point that ND scores 2 points on.


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