Keys to Improvement on OL

By now we have all expressed some anxiety about the fact that our 3 yards/carry versus WSU hearkened back to last year when we couldn't run up the middle against Ole Miss, TX and UT. WSU had three stud NTs who were quick off the ball, powerful, and could swim past double teams and get penetration into the backfield - disrupting the play and stopping forward push momentum.



Here's what the OL and Alisa have to say about necessary corrections:



Houston Reynolds:



“Some guys it’s targeting and knowledge of the game and our offense. For some guys it’s getting lower and for others it’s throwing inside hands and for others it’s footwork. Every individual has things that they’re focusing in on and trying to fix, but the offensive line is a very unnatural position and those things take time to fix and make habit.”



Michael Alisa:



“Yeah, it’s just sharpening up the targeting really, and it wasn’t a big thing really but it was big enough to where one guy would miss and there was a tackle in the backfield. If we can get everyone targeting right, then things will open up.”



I am hoping that this gets corrected vs WSU this Saturday and that things are changed and ready by UT game. Otherwise we have an Achilles heel that teams like BSU, ND, GT et. al. are sure to try and exploit. I will chalk it up to first game familiarity in learning how to play together as these guys didn't really work as a complete unit until fall camp.



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Sounds like they recognize the problems and they're focused on fixing them, so I'd bet it gets fixed this season. I just hope the progress is sooner rather than later.

"For some guys it’s getting lower".



Reynolds just described how to better use leverage, and it is THE issue with the interior Oline. Was a huge issue last year as well. When you see an Oline player get stood up easily or have an inability to maintain a block, typically means he lost leverage.



Tushaus, Reynolds and B. Brown, but mostly the left side of Tushaus and Reynolds, had this issue. Anae has had some issues as well and looked off balance too often.



The use of hands is more of an outside technique issue, so that was about the tackles, most likely Mathews, who is still green.



Figuring this out goes a long way to improving the run game. Especially inside.

At one point during the game alisa was pretty bothered about something. He was yelling at one of the coaches. after a failed run play. I am pretty sure it had to do with the oline play.



I am glad they are working on it but i doubt it will be fixed by utah and boise state. we still have a shot at winning those games though with our defense leading the way. Should these problems be fixed by utah as some of you are hoping then i don't see us even losing a game. it is by far this team's biggest issue and the one issue that could stop us from being elite offensively.



i think it will be our achilles heal most of the year. I think it is a little too optimistic to think it will be solved by utah and/or boise state.



Here is to being wrong!! :crazy:

IMO the OL needs to be put on a steady diet of CougarTails. That will solve the problem. ;) :P

Gunk wrote:
IMO the OL needs to be put on a steady diet of CougarTails. That will solve the problem. ;) :P

CougarTails with a nice juicy J-Dawg in the middle of it.

Interesting point brought out about leverage and balance required for run blocking. That wasn't our strong suit the last two years and we also don't have a RB of Unga and Tonga's talent to run up the middle. Perhaps we take advantage of our outside rushing ability/off-tackle and go with a steady dose of Foote, Alisa, Williams and Hine. Wouldn't hurt to also mix in some swing passes to our RBs as well. The key will be how often we run NITRO offense - we did it for the 1st half with great results hen slowed down in second half - much more lethargic offensive production.



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