2008 O-Line......

KMAC_ATTACK · 04-10-2008, 06:05 AM

We've all heard of the talent of this group and the competition that we have for the various positions, but, what i'm really beginning to grasp is the youth.....WOW, i looked at it from a perspective of where we were last year to where and what we might accomplish this year. Consider we played a pretty tough schedule against the big boys, our line still improved from 06 to 07 in sacks....36 in 2006 to 17 in 2007.....

Now if this is our starting lineup - our line may have more talent and more time to play together....i don't want to put any pressure on these guys, but, it could be a group that sends 3-4 guys to the NFL, you want to be able to recruit lineman, start sending 2-3 to the NFL every year, that will make recruiting easy....

LT - Diedrick (SR) But have heard/seen that Hulbert (SO) is getting reps at LT ahead of Diedrick!!
LG - Lamaak (SO)
C - Alvarez (SO)
RG - Osemele (FR)
RT - Baysinger (FR)

Considering the marked improvement to our line last year and the successes we had, to consider only one of them a starter for 2008 is a testament to the guys were recruiting and the work being done by Shep and his staff to get these boys bigger, faster, stronger....Now if we can add back in there this years recruiting class and redshirt them, that means we would have Tuftee, Burris, Haughton to push these guys in 2009.

I think what i'm getting at is that the coaches have made it an emphasis to focus on the Oline and Dline.....i think the O is way ahead of the D line at this phase of the rebuilding. If the competition and recruiting of talented players continues and most importantly, getting them in with Shep to continue the philosophy of strength and conditioning, our success will follow the two lines, regardless of schedule.

Can't wait to see these guys knocking some heads!!!!!

hoosman · 04-10-2008, 06:32 AM

Previously, we've been able to move OLineman to DLine and vice-versa based on needs. Is there anyone on our overstocked OLine who makes sense to try on defense?

wheels686 · 04-10-2008, 07:41 AM

I wonder if Patrick Steinbach is any good? isnt he like 6'8 300. is he the brother of the former iowa lineman?. Anyway why isn't Reggie Stephens starting. I thought he was our best olineman last year

CycloneWarrior · 04-10-2008, 07:47 AM

The I line did a pretty good job last year. But it'll be even better this year.

jay moe · 04-10-2008, 08:06 AM

If Steinbach ever plays we are in serious trouble. He didn't even come off the sidelines during last weeks scrimmage, I doubt if he ever plays.

wheels686 · 04-10-2008, 08:09 AM

I was just curious if he was any good

jay moe · 04-10-2008, 08:13 AM

Nope, saw him play in HS, he's a project for sure.

HandSanitizer · 04-10-2008, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

i don't want to put any pressure on these guys, but, it could be a group that sends 3-4 guys to the NFL, you want to be able to recruit lineman, start sending 2-3 to the NFL every year, that will make recruiting easy....

Not too mention if you have 2-3 guys on your line going to the NFL....That means your QB, RB, Receivers and Dbacks are going to be a TON better.

Your QB and receiver will have a few more seconds to hookup. The Dbacks will only have to cover for 4 seconds instead 8 etc..
3rd and 2's become easier etc..

I love good Lines

KMAC_ATTACK · 04-10-2008, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by wheels686

I wonder if Patrick Steinbach is any good? isnt he like 6'8 300. is he the brother of the former iowa lineman?. Anyway why isn't Reggie Stephens starting. I thought he was our best olineman last year

WHEELS - i think your right, not sure on Steinback but i was thinking when i read that name over the winter, wow if he's anything like his brother he should be good.....

Regarding Stephens - i think he's in the mix, i just think right now its based on position battles....we had been told that just because he started last year, didnt mean he was the best at that position on the roster....Meaning, he was the starter, but, the kid behind him is waiting his turn, learning systems and toning his body from HS to Div 1 football and if he isnt working as hard as the next guy, he may just get passed.....

I love this philosophy.....it keeps the eye on the prize and playing time is the prize....Kids should know they have to earn that right, they need to work to get better, stronger and that competition will push our Oline to places it hasnt been since Loney and maybe even beyond!!!!!

wheels686 · 04-10-2008, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

WHEELS - i think your right, not sure on Steinback but i was thinking when i read that name over the winter, wow if he's anything like his brother he should be good.....

Regarding Stephens - i think he's in the mix, i just think right now its based on position battles....we had been told that just because he started last year, didnt mean he was the best at that position on the roster....Meaning, he was the starter, but, the kid behind him is waiting his turn, learning systems and toning his body from HS to Div 1 football and if he isnt working as hard as the next guy, he may just get passed.....

I love this philosophy.....it keeps the eye on the prize and playing time is the prize....Kids should know they have to earn that right, they need to work to get better, stronger and that competition will push our Oline to places it hasnt been since Loney and maybe even beyond!!!!!

Thanks KMAC_ATTACK, no matter who starts they should be much improved over last year. It would be awesome to send that many players to the NFL. That helps recruiting in all aspects and being in Iowa we sure need it. I Hope Haughton goes to the dline because we could really use his help down there

Clones85' · 04-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Right now the one's are

LT- Hulbert
LG- KO
C- Johnson
RG- Lamaak
RT- Baysinger

I may have messed up Lamaak and KO, don't remember which ones were L and R, but this is the number one's right now.

I think it is very good that Hulbert could potentially beat out Deidrick considering a lot of people thought he was our best o lineman last year. With that said, this is far from over.

Also heard Mike Knapp is pushing for #1 at center. I keep waiting to hear more from Alvarez but as of right now it sounds like he may be #3 center

bmuff · 04-10-2008, 09:11 AM

I don't think that Steinbach is related to the former hawkeye.

As far as the OL goes, does anyone think that it is sad that Mac had all of TWO OLs drafted in 12 years? If you want to look for a reason why Mac failed, that is pretty much it. I expect Chizik/McFarland to fare much better in that area.

wartknight · 04-10-2008, 09:12 AM

Yes, Alvarez is a 3.
KO is the LG and Lamaak is RG.
The thing I love about all this is the competition that has been created. That makes everyone better and will certainly give us more depth. I am of the belief that to be successful, you need 7 serviceable OL, 5 starters, a backup to both tackles and a backup to all 3 interior spots. Anything more than that is gravy.

Clones85' · 04-10-2008, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by wartknight

Yes, Alvarez is a 3.
KO is the LG and Lamaak is RG.
The thing I love about all this is the competition that has been created. That makes everyone better and will certainly give us more depth. I am of the belief that to be successful, you need 7 serviceable OL, 5 starters, a backup to both tackles and a backup to all 3 interior spots. Anything more than that is gravy.

Thanks for that. I couldn't remember which was which. Your right, it is nice to know that if somebody goes down with injury, somebody else can step in and not have a huge drop off like we have in the past.

jay moe · 04-10-2008, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by bmuff

I don't think that Steinbach is related to the former hawkeye.

As far as the OL goes, does anyone think that it is sad that Mac had all of TWO OLs drafted in 12 years? If you want to look for a reason why Mac failed, that is pretty much it. I expect Chizik/McFarland to fare much better in that area.

You are correct, he is not related to the Steinbach that played for EIU.