OL Play

**CrossCyed** · 01-03-2010, 04:42 PM

Though the offensive line wasn't at its sharpest during the bowl game, I think we need to give a lot of love to Bleil and the big guys up front. They aren't exactly the best fit for the system, but KO-Alvarez-Reggie-Lamaak-Haughton proved to be much improved this year. They cut the sacks way down, and helped A-Robs become one of the best RB in the conference.

I was unsure of the Bleil hire at first, but he's sure one of the guys that earned his money this year.

**Cy Hard** · 01-03-2010, 04:44 PM

I'm stoked to see these guys shine next year, with Burris coming along and Lamaak taking the ball.

**CrossCyed** · 01-03-2010, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Cy Hard

I'm stoked to see these guys shine next year, with Burris coming along and Lamaak taking the ball.

I'm willing to bet Alvarez will be at center next year.

**Al_4_State** · 01-03-2010, 05:03 PM

Early in the season, I thought they were phenomenal, but the shine came off a little down the stretch. Still, a great season out of them, and I think we'll see improvement down the road.

**jburke** · 01-03-2010, 06:37 PM

I agree Alvarez will be Center, and Hicks will be back at the other Guard, unless achademics continue to be an issue....

**jburke** · 01-03-2010, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by CrossCyed

Though the offensive line wasn't at its sharpest during the bowl game, I think we need to give a lot of love to Bleil and the big guys up front. They aren't exactly the best fit for the system, but KO-Alvarez-Reggie-Lamaak-Haughton proved to be much improved this year. They cut the sacks way down, and helped A-Robs become one of the best RB in the conference.

I was unsure of the Bleil hire at first, but he's sure one of the guys that earned his money this year.

Really, how do you figure? If this is based on size come on, Texas Tech has the biggest OL in NCAA, do they fit the system???

**The_Architect** · 01-03-2010, 08:35 PM

Did Hicks play in the insight bowl? I saw he was in uniform but was too drunk to notice him in the game or not.

**CrossCyed** · 01-03-2010, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by jburke

Really, how do you figure? If this is based on size come on, Texas Tech has the biggest OL in NCAA, do they fit the system???

I believe the staff has said as much, that they are a little bigger than they'd usually want.

**iowa_wildcat** · 01-03-2010, 09:05 PM

I suspect that they were complaining about too much body fat and not the sheer size of the linemen.

**d4nim4l** · 01-03-2010, 10:25 PM

Some of our line's apparent lack of sharpness wasn't their fault.

Minnesota blitzed a lot. Both run blitzes and blitzes off the edge on obvious pass plays. We countered the run blitzes in the 2nd half with a lot of misdirections and counters that resulted in some pretty big yards. And a hell of a hit by Catlett on Minnesota's MLB on a pull.

But the lack of blocking on some pass blitzes squarely falls on Arnaud for not checking to a new play, changing a route or shifting his protection. Numerous times Minnesota showed blitz right after we signaled in a play and Arnaud did not check to something else. It was apparent to I think everyone watching the game at our table and had to be to the people watching closely in the stadium. A few calls before the play and our line would have been called stellar after the game.

**Al_4_State** · 01-04-2010, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by d4nim4l

Some of our line's apparent lack of sharpness wasn't their fault.

Minnesota blitzed a lot. Both run blitzes and blitzes off the edge on obvious pass plays. We countered the run blitzes in the 2nd half with a lot of misdirections and counters that resulted in some pretty big yards. And a hell of a hit by Catlett on Minnesota's MLB on a pull.

But the lack of blocking on some pass blitzes squarely falls on Arnaud for not checking to a new play, changing a route or shifting his protection. Numerous times Minnesota showed blitz right after we signaled in a play and Arnaud did not check to something else. It was apparent to I think everyone watching the game at our table and had to be to the people watching closely in the stadium. A few calls before the play and our line would have been called stellar after the game.

There was an increase in pressure in the OSU, CU, and Mizzou games as well. Not terribly, but there definitely was an increase.

I don't want to sound like I'm bagging on the line play (Which I thought was really good most of the season), but it really did seem to slip a little at the end.

**d4nim4l** · 01-04-2010, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

There was an increase in pressure in the OSU, CU, and Mizzou games as well. Not terribly, but there definitely was an increase.

I don't want to sound like I'm bagging on the line play (Which I thought was really good most of the season), but it really did seem to slip a little at the end.

No doubt that it did but I think some of it was lack of checks by either the staff or Arnaud. Something that will be addressed in the off season I bet.

**ahaselhu** · 01-04-2010, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

There was an increase in pressure in the OSU, CU, and Mizzou games as well. Not terribly, but there definitely was an increase.

I don't want to sound like I'm bagging on the line play (Which I thought was really good most of the season), but it really did seem to slip a little at the end.

Looking through the stats, we did slip a little at the end of the season.

Through the first 8 games, we gained significantly more rushing yards than the opponents typically allowed (around 70 ypg), and gave up a lot fewer sacks than they typically got (never any more than 1).

In the last five games we were right about at the average rushing yrds/game and sacks/game for our opponents.

So it seems like we went from an excellent rushing game and pass protection to average rushing game and pass protection.

**ISUFan22** · 01-04-2010, 09:53 AM

Really liked the holes our group opened up. I think coming off the ball, our line is very strong and can compete against anyone. I think the item they need improvement on most is sustaining those blocks and getting blocks at the 2nd level.

Here's a shot from the bowl game (courtesy of Dan Pfeffer) and a huge hole that ARob had. He saw these kinds of holes often this season, many times they closed up quickly. If our line can keep the holes open for a second or two longer, offensively we should be ok next year.

**Tre4ISU** · 01-04-2010, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by ahaselhu

Looking through the stats, we did slip a little at the end of the season.

Through the first 8 games, we gained significantly more rushing yards than the opponents typically allowed (around 70 ypg), and gave up a lot fewer sacks than they typically got (never any more than 1).

In the last five games we were right about at the average rushing yrds/game and sacks/game for our opponents.

So it seems like we went from an excellent rushing game and pass protection to average rushing game and pass protection.

I think that's just another thing he will acquire by next season. The playbook will be much larger and he will have the confidence to find the correct play. Minnesota gameplan was obviously to stop ARob and make Arnaud throw it quickly. The plan on Arnaud worked well, not so well on ARob.