Offensive Line Thread

[Old Man Mike]

Go maul'em Bigg-uns. Now that you're getting your just praises, and maybe will get a couple of decent RBs to hit the smaller holes on time with anger, MAYBE everyone will give you proper props this coming year. (I know that you don't have any Z or any Q or any Ronnie, but I've watched you maul them anyway.)

Go Warriors!!! (my favorite bunch .... obviously).

p.s. Lugg was very good impersonating Hainsey. Wonder if the staff will put some pressure on Eichenberg and Banks to try to get him playing space. Hainsey, Tommy, and our rookie center should be set.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I definitely want somebody pushing Banks, since he struggled a lot for a guy who should've been dominating. Tho I'm guessing his injury led to a loss of strength from which he never recovered.

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[Irish YJ]

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-all-130-college-football-offensive-line-situations

ND's offensive line ranked 13th per PFF. They were #2 in pass blocking, and significantly worse in run blocking. Regardless, this was a SIGNIFICANT improvement over last year and it's reasonable to believe that with a better run blocking scheme + healthy Kraemer and Hainsey they will be a top offensive line next year.

IL ranked 11th. Rajun Cajuns 9th. Huh? Not sure if serious or the Onion took over PFF. Illinois was ranked like 90+ in line yards

 

[calvegas04]

So we can keep Quinn and he doesn't suck like everyone seems to think?

 

[Luckylucci]

With a healthy OL and a better fit at RB, I’m not sure there would be all this consternation about the OL.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I definitely want somebody pushing Banks, since he struggled a lot for a guy who should've been dominating. Tho I'm guessing his injury led to a loss of strength from which he never recovered.

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You have to remember that Banks played the whole season on a surgically repaired broken foot. That significantly diminished his power and there was no chance he was going to be dominant playing with that.

 

[Crazy Balki]

IL ranked 11th. Rajun Cajuns 9th. Huh? Not sure if serious or the Onion took over PFF. Illinois was ranked like 90+ in line yards

Brandon Peters was Illinois' starting QB. That's all the explanation I need.

 

[T-Boone]

Is Cosmo definitely coming back? He could get drafted pretty high.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Is Cosmo definitely coming back? He could get drafted pretty high.

I heard he got a high 2nd round grade, but I imagine he'll be back.

I think Kraemer showed substantial improvement last season and I could see him playing his way into the first round.

I hope he comes back, but I don't think it's the end of the world if he doesn't, since Lugg got a ton of play after Kraemer and Hainsey went out. I could see Hainsey moving inside and Lugg stepping up and playing well at RT.

 

[ThePiombino]

With a healthy OL and a better fit at RB, I’m not sure there would be all this consternation about the OL.

Come on now, you know we'd find SOMETHING to complain about...

 

[EvilleIrish]

Is Cosmo definitely coming back? He could get drafted pretty high.

Who is Cosmo?

 

[Wild Bill]

Who is Cosmo?

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91C4IENLcrL._AC_SY741_.jpg

 

[NDMIA]

The offensive line recruiting is as good as its ever been for ND. The depth chart is as loaded as it’s been in terms of numbers and depth. Top end talent they don’t have Quenton Nelson or Mike McGlinchey but they have a lot of talent. Pass blocking they were excellent this season and I think the running game had more to do with RB’s and scheme than the offensive line not being good. They definitely can and should be better in the future but I’m excited about the offensive line next season.

6’6” 305 RS SR Liam Eichenberg
6’6” 325 RS JR Aaron Banks
6’5” 300 RS SO Jarrett Patterson
6’6” 320 RS SR Tommy Kraemer
6’5” 295 SR Robert Hainsey

6’7” 307 RS JR Josh Lugg

That’s a massive offensive line with tons and tons of experience returning. They’ve also got some serious talent in the freshman and sophomore classes that will compete and make life tougher on the starting guys by competing for their spots all year long. Bottom line, I’m more worried about Wide Receiver and Running Back than offensive line next season. If they aren’t a top flight line next season then maybe it’s time to start questioning Jeff Quinn and the offensive line coaching but for now I’m pretty excited about it. Time to worry more about the talent in the running back room.

 

[IrishLax]

We've talked a lot about the running game and zone blocking. If you want an example of what our running game would look like in an ideal world, see San Francisco last night.

 

[ulukinatme]

We've talked a lot about the running game and zone blocking. If you want an example of what our running game would look like in an ideal world, see San Francisco last night.

Garrapollopolis had all of 8 throws last night in a Divisional Playoff game. Eight. Throws. The blocking was amazing, guys were getting to the 2nd level and WRs were all in too, incredible running game. I didn't catch the 2nd half, but did GB even try to load the box up to shut down the run?

 

[IrishLax]

Garrapollopolis had all of 8 throws last night in a Divisional Playoff game. Eight. Throws. The blocking was amazing, guys were getting to the 2nd level and WRs were all in too, incredible running game. I didn't catch the 2nd half, but did GB even try to load the box up to shut down the run?

I didn't watch Green Bay too from a scheme standpoint, but they were simply getting mauled. San Francisco was just firing off the ball and crushing people. A ton of outside zone and inside zone for big chunks.

 

[Luckylucci]

That was about as good of a ground game in a conference championship or Super Bowl that I can remember. In fact, I heard that San Fran is still running for first downs, as of the writing of this post.

Back to our OL, PFF has 4 of our 5 in the top 30 returning OL.

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-30-offensive-linemen-returning-2020

 

[IrishLax]

Also, I did not hear or read this interview, but there is a poster on another site that commented about Jeff Quinn and an interview Brady Quinn gave recently about changes at ND. One of the things Brady said is that there was significant friction between Long and Quinn about the blocking scheme and what would be successful for the OL in the run game. Long called the plays and dictated how the OL had to block. This is something that was pretty well known and already talked about in various threads here.

Here's the news -- apparently, Taylor/Rees/Quinn are more aligned on run blocking and there will be a noticeable change in scheme. I assume that this means more zone blocking and letting the RBs read the blocks. I think this could be very good for the run game in general, and especially Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

That was about as good of a ground game in a conference championship or Super Bowl that I can remember. In fact, I heard that San Fran is still running for first downs, as of the writing of this post.

Back to our OL, PFF has 4 of our 5 in the top 30 returning OL.

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-30-offensive-linemen-returning-2020

Fuck you, it's too early in the offseason for me to hop on the Kool-Aid. I just know there's some dumb offseason shit coming up.

 

[ndfi78]

Here's the news -- apparently, Taylor/Rees/Quinn are more aligned on run blocking and there will be a noticeable change in scheme. I assume that this means more zone blocking and letting the RBs read the blocks. I think this could be very good for the run game in general, and especially Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree.

That is very exciting. It makes me excited. I HAVE EXCITES!

 

[Luckylucci]

Also, I did not hear or read this interview, but there is a poster on another site that commented about Jeff Quinn and an interview Brady Quinn gave recently about changes at ND. One of the things Brady said is that there was significant friction between Long and Quinn about the blocking scheme and what would be successful for the OL in the run game. Long called the plays and dictated how the OL had to block. This is something that was pretty well known and already talked about in various threads here.

Here's the news -- apparently, Taylor/Rees/Quinn are more aligned on run blocking and there will be a noticeable change in scheme. I assume that this means more zone blocking and letting the RBs read the blocks. I think this could be very good for the run game in general, and especially Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree.

Since the firing of Chip more and more has come out and it sounds BVG-esque. More about running his system and less about what the players did well.

Not only do I think the offense will be tailored more towards the composition of the offensive roster but I think the roster, young RB's included, are better fits for that, than what we had this year.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I feel like Kyren Williams would be a great zone-blocking Shanahan style back.

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[Sherm Sticky]

That was about as good of a ground game in a conference championship or Super Bowl that I can remember. In fact, I heard that San Fran is still running for first downs, as of the writing of this post.



Back to our OL, PFF has 4 of our 5 in the top 30 returning OL.



https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-30-offensive-linemen-returning-2020

Alright...Tommy Kramer time to get healthy and step up your game!

Also, I did not hear or read this interview, but there is a poster on another site that commented about Jeff Quinn and an interview Brady Quinn gave recently about changes at ND. One of the things Brady said is that there was significant friction between Long and Quinn about the blocking scheme and what would be successful for the OL in the run game. Long called the plays and dictated how the OL had to block. This is something that was pretty well known and already talked about in various threads here.

Here's the news -- apparently, Taylor/Rees/Quinn are more aligned on run blocking and there will be a noticeable change in scheme. I assume that this means more zone blocking and letting the RBs read the blocks. I think this could be very good for the run game in general, and especially Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree.

I’d also add Jafar to that list. IMO zone blocking would be ideal for Jafar Armstrong if he stays at RB. Ideally Jafar is a one cut and go type RB.



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[Whiskeyjack]

That was about as good of a ground game in a conference championship or Super Bowl that I can remember. In fact, I heard that San Fran is still running for first downs, as of the writing of this post.

Back to our OL, PFF has 4 of our 5 in the top 30 returning OL.

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-30-offensive-linemen-returning-2020

We're the only team with 4 returning starters on that list. Kentucky has 3 and BYU has 2. None of the teams we'd be likely to face in the post-season have more than 1.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Alright...Tommy Kramer time to get healthy and step up your game!




I’d also add Jafar to that list. IMO zone blocking would be ideal for Jafar Armstrong if he stays at RB. Ideally Jafar is a one cut and go type RB.



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I thought it was odd he was the... odd man out of the list. He's the lineman who seems to get the most love nationally so I'll just assume it's due to the time he missed to injury.

Which potentially means ND effectively has 5 of the top 31 returning OL...

 

[Luckylucci]

We're the only team with 4 returning starters on that list. Kentucky has 3 and BYU has 2. None of the teams we'd be likely to face in the post-season have more than 1.

Great point. Gotta stay healthy and the group should be quite good.

Also, I've been wondering, since it was brought up at ISD, if Banks was playing injured all season. He was in rough shape by the end of the season and lumbering quite a bit. It'll be significant if to get him back to his 2018 form but now with more experience.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I thought it was odd he was the... odd man out of the list. He's the lineman who seems to get the most love nationally so I'll just assume it's due to the time he missed to injury.

Which potentially means ND effectively has 5 of the top 31 returning OL...

And with the rumored blocking scheme change...

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Great point. Gotta stay healthy and the group should be quite good.



Also, I've been wondering, since it was brought up at ISD, if Banks was playing injured all season. He was in rough shape by the end of the season and lumbering quite a bit. It'll be significant if to get him back to his 2018 form but now with more experience.

Yes need to stay healthy. But the team can sustain 1 OL injury and it would have no effect on their play. ND has 6 legit high end power 5 starters with experience on the Oline.


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[Polish Leppy 22]

Great point. Gotta stay healthy and the group should be quite good.

Also, I've been wondering, since it was brought up at ISD, if Banks was playing injured all season. He was in rough shape by the end of the season and lumbering quite a bit. It'll be significant if to get him back to his 2018 form but now with more experience.

If the 2020 OL group doesn't physically dominate everyone(minus Clemson), the problem is Quinn. I'm not convinced he's the right guy, but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Valpodoc85]

If you can't get third and one against the Razorbacks or Western Michigan Quinn should get the hook