🏈 Two pics I stumbled upon from summer workouts

[TerryP]

The biggest factor with "chemistry" is having a line that lacks a balance of experience to offset new players.

The top programs replace linemen every year. When we have done it of late, there has been no depth and multiple new starters + lack of playing experience in game situations. I don't see that being an issue this season. I am not going to say that Fluker will be as good as a first round draft pick on day one, but he has more upside. Carpenter is experienced and a fantastic athlete. Vlachos will be more than serviceable (keep in mind he is beating out Cardwell).

When Nebraska was mauling people in the 90's, you never heard anything about them having to replace OL. Ditto for Miami and OU. We are just gunshy because of our recent experiences. The process is taking care of our gaps.

That's an observation I've wondered about all off-season. Especially considering OU is bringing in four of five new guys and still you see the lofty rankings.

Is it a pick and choose mentality from those who watch? Considering the lack of success you would think there would be more of a focus on Ole Miss and their losses on the line as well.

 

[TerryP]

Well, despite athleticism & scheme, I think the other issue to make it a trifecta is chemistry... The REAL way to envoke good O-line chemistry is game time experience, which favors Carpenter if he is tied up w/ Fluker on everything else.

I don't disagree with you on this, but I don't think the chemistry aspect gives Carpenter a nod over DJ.

I say that because I look at chemistry as the ability to know what the guy beside you is going to do.

Granted, Carpenter may have a slight edge, but only to the tune of 15 practices—and that number is being gracious considering the number of guys who practiced at the LT position during spring camp.

The other elements we are leaving out is TE blocking. McCall was a beast, are we going to go down a notch when it comes to TE blocking?

The thing that really is surreal about all this is I cannot remember the last time we had this kinda problem, w/ this kinda of talent at the O-line.

One of those good kinda problems...

I don't have a lot of concern there are this point. Paying attention to the tight end position, yes. But, not a lot of concern.

We've got our guys who are going to be the dual threats—blocking and receiving—in Smelley, Peek and we'll see some like Dial get some work as well.

Just your pure blockers? That's where I think we'll see some of McElwain's approach work itself in. Just as an example, most look at Huber as a fullback, but he really fits that mold of lining up in an H-back position but as a blocker. Add Jeramie Griffin in this role as well.

(Can you see a toss-sweep type of play going to the side where we've got one of those two lined up as an H-back? On a slightly different note, Carpenter is an athlete to the degree he could pull from a guard position and he's quick enough to be a factor in that type of set as well)

It'll be interesting watching Underwood and Williams and see how they develop in the tight end roles...ala McCall.

 

[4th-and-1]

looking at the picture with richardson and nico i'm thinking that trent could snap someone in half at any moment.. nico looks very sneaky, almost a gagster confidence about him, like he knows that no one can hang with him.

BUT

holy bedsheet.. fluker looks like he would eat them for breakfast.. i have seen one other person that big with so little body fat.. that was joe king.. and he was no where that big.. i say give him the football and see what happens.. hell put him at qb and run the wild elephant.. he is truly a freak of nature.. i am really expecting him to rewrite the book as a college lineman..

 

[Crimson Hawk]

As cut as Trent is, there hardly any difference when you look at Ingram with his shirt off. I'd hate to step in front of either one with just a half-step of speed! :dazed: (prolly what you'd get up looking like)