COLUMN: My nightmares about ISU's O-Line in 2016

[ChrisMWilliams]

Starting to prep for spring ball. That offensive line is...well...offensive. New staff has work cut out for it.

http://cyclonefanatic.com/football/news/williams-biggest-concern-about-football-going-forward/

 

[dawgpound]

The line being a trainwreck is my worst fear for this season

 

[CYCLNST8]

Thanks for the doom & gloom, C-Dubs. Really need tolfbfan to come back and tell us about "the plan."

 

[coolerifyoudid]

 

[cyborg]

You can not put all the blame for sacks on the OL. Last year the freshman running backs did a poor job at times of picking up blitzes. I saw several times where they whiffed on block attempts. Some of the blame also must be placed on the QBs who sometimes held onto the ball too long or did not pick up blitzes. Playing from behind most of the time does not help either.

 

[Brandon]

Let's hope this staff has a magic wand

 

[ZZZ]

You can not put all the blame for sacks on the OL. Last year the freshman running backs did a poor job at times of picking up blitzes. I saw several times where they whiffed on block attempts. Some of the blame also must be placed on the QBs who sometimes held onto the ball too long or did not pick up blitzes. Playing from behind most of the time does not help either.

While I agree with most of the things you said, it is still hard to defend the entire offensive line when you are the second worst FBS school in allowing sacks. Numbers never lie

 

[Brandon]

Last year's line was decent at run blocking, but the pass protection was atrocious

 

[Gunnerclone]

Realistically go to a bowl game? I know it's CW's job but, woof.

 

[2forISU]

We always have line issues on both sides of the ball. New year, same story.

 

[bawbie]

While I agree with most of the things you said, it is still hard to defend the entire offensive line when you are the second worst FBS school in allowing sacks. Numbers never lie

No they don't. In 7 games started by Richardson the number was 2.8. In 5 games started by Lanning it was 4.4.

 

[InAWord]

After reading what this staff did at Toledo with their o-lines, the only nightmare would have been Rhoads leading this team again in 2016.

 

[nhclone]

No they don't. In 7 games started by Richardson the number was 2.8. In 5 games started by Lanning it was 4.4.

Anybody know the numbers when Tiller was in?

 

[ajk4st8]

Having a TE that can block will be nice too. Chandler was one of the worst.

 

[BCClone]

No they don't. In 7 games started by Richardson the number was 2.8. In 5 games started by Lanning it was 4.4.

The one problem with pure sacks numbers, I know you gotta start somewhere, is a qb run for -1 yard is a sack and not. tFL like it should be. They assume al qb runs were going to be passes per stat book.

 

[Aclone]

Nice article, Chris. I was just thinking the same thing, but still--nice article.

And it's only "up" in the series from here, right? :biggrin:

 

[Kurttr]

The ol' "this 3-win team with serious, major issues on the OL should make it to a bowl in new coach's year 1" line...gotta love it.

 

[norcalcy]

Having the coaching and development skills on staff to get them to play as a unit is a reason for guarded optimism. The sum of the whole can be greater than the individual parts. Things could look pretty rough at the beginning of the season, but it is possible to improve as a unit as the year goes on (see New England Patriots example two years ago where the line was mess in the blowout to the Chiefs and then gelled for a Super Bowl run). The new coaching regime will need some luck with avoiding the injury bug too.

 

[KnappShack]

I think I see the problem. Our boys are lacing up their sneakers. By gawd we need our lads in cleats!

 

[CyFy]

For some silly reason I think this line is going to be good this year. When looking and the sacks I think the majority of the problem was QBs holding on to the ball too long. I'm am not worried too much about that number just because 3.5 as a number isn't that hard to improve. If they eliminate 1.5 sack a game we will be a lot closer to what we need to be. Last year it isn't hard to go through the games and pick out a couple spots each game where there was a missed assignment or a QB held on to the ball too long. 1.5 plays per game and that stat is fixed. Also always being behind and needing to throw the ball down the field doesn't help.

The main issue I see won't be with the starters but with depth. Of we have many injuries I could see this season getting rough. On the other hand not having any stand outs means that the back ups are probably just as good...