What will the FSU offensive line look like in 2012?
by Jtyler998 on Nov 28, 2011 3:43 PM EST
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PrintFSU's offensive line has taken a lot of criticism this season, and most of it has been deserved. Though a number of injuries put the team in a bind, it also reminded us of the recruiting whiffs of 2009 and 2010, and the hole they've put us in.
Enter the 2011 OL class.
FSU arguably put together the best OL class in the nation last year. Unfortunately, most OL prospects aren't remotely ready to contribute as freshmen, and require years of development before they can make an impact. Ideally, they get these years before they even see the field.
But that's not where we're at. We're starting a seventeen year old.
As much as it upsets me to realize Bobby Hart will be turning 20 years old as a senior, and to think about what he could've done in the long run with a RS season under his belt, the situation is what it is.
Going into 2012, FSU will lose: Zebrie Sanders, David Spurlock, and possibly Andrew Datko (either to graduation or injury, or both.)
We're left with:
Senior: Jacob Fahrenkrug
Juniors: Bryan Stork, Henry Orelus, Garrett Faircloth
Sophomores: Bobby Hart, Dan Foose
And then I'm unclear about who got a RS but, either RS Fr or Soph: Josue Matias, Ruben Carter, Sterling Lovelady, Trey Pettis, Austin Barron
Here are the things I'd like to get some discussion on:
1) Will Jacob Fahrenkrug turn the corner as a senior? He has all the physical gifts to be playing on Sunday, and be a dominant college lineman. He has improved steadily this season, but has yet to live up to the hype. What can we expect from him going forward?
2) Will we get any quality play out of Stork, Orelus and Faircloth? It seems like all three of them haven't really been more than servicable, and Orelus/Faircloth have been so injury prone. I'm not convinced they'll be able to stay healthy long enough to make an impact, much less hold off the talented youngsters.
3) Who will step up from the 2010/2011 classes? I'm really curious to see if we'll get anything out of Dan Foose. He's a physical specimen, 6'6" 310, but I haven't heard one word about him since NSD 2010. But then there are guys like Matias, Jackson, Carter, Pettis, Lovelady...there's a lot of talent there.
Whose name will we be hearing this spring, and who could we see starting come fall? Does anybody have any way-too-early predictions for who the starting 5 will be?
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Thank for stating the questions.
The OL for next year is the single greatest question on my mind right now. I have no insights of value. I asked about Lovelady and the C position on another thread and was told that he is at least two years away, so he should not be a factor next year. However, I look forward to the conversation and to discussions of that and other questions.
Here goes
Hart and Fahrenkrug should be the undisputed starters on the left side. I would imagine Stork will enter spring ball as the starter at center and compete with Barron and Lovelady. The entire rightside is a gaint question mark though. Maybe Orelus and Carter battle it out in camp at RG and Faircloth vs Matias at RT. Hopefully we will at least be solid on the leftside and at center going into next season. (Better to be able to only run behind one side of the line than none.)
I could see Jackson at one of the guard spots.
"I spent 90 percent of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted!"
Don't know how I missed Jackson
If I’m not mistaken he played some snaps this year so he should definitely be in the mix at RG
Yup he played early, then got injured I think, but he can be the mauler Spurlock was,
but bigger, and more athletic.
"I spent 90 percent of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted!"
Jackson played in UF game (and others)
Jimbo even mentions him during his show this week, noting he was part of a special short yardage package (the one that failed to get a yard on the Pryor run on 3rd and 1).
Pryor Missed His Cut
That’s on Lonnie…not on the OL
by SarasotaSeminole on Dec 1, 2011 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
Worried about RT next year
Orelus should be at least serviceable at RG, and the rest of the line should be fine. Matias has the talent, but he’ll definitely have growing pains. And we won’t have much for depth anywhere along the line.
I would love to see Datko get granted another year of eligibility.
You could keep Hart at RT for another year, and bring back a vet who was the undisputed leader of that bunch. Keeping my fingers crossed.
by FSUActuary on Nov 28, 2011 9:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That would be ideal, but not something we can count on
But yeah Datko, Hart, Stork, Orelus, and Krug could be a pretty decent line after en entire spring working together
by BobLoblaw113 on Nov 29, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
For a minute there I thought you meant "Rick Trickett".
So far, the last 2 years we're 6-8 vs. teams with winning records. And we play in the ACC. Process is no substitute for Progress.
by PeachTreeNole on Dec 1, 2011 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
I posted it elsewhere
but you can find the info on who has played or not this week by looking at seminoles.com’s weekly release. They show a week by week participation chart.
It is blocked from where I am (not sure why), but I do recall that Matias, Lovelady and Barron saw snaps (Barron in fact started a game or two this season). Carter and Pettis appear to be redshirting, unless someone really blew it and had them take a snap against Flordia. Tre Jackson also saw snaps this year.
So of that entire OL class of 2011, only two are redshirting this year. Of course, some who saw snaps may medically redshirt – I’d have to access the list again to see who might be eligible for that distinction – the other factor would be if they had a documented by medical staff condition. I’m pretty sure Jackson and Barron won’t qualify for that.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 28, 2011 6:11 PM EST reply actions
This week or next
we should hear about any JUCO signees. IMO, if we are to look at JUCO, they had better be early enrollees, unless there’s a Walter Jones type out there. I think it would be a waste to bring in a JUCO anytime but in time for spring practice and a full off-season of major college S&C training.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 28, 2011 6:15 PM EST reply actions
EE or not there are no plug and play type guys out there in the JUCO ranks this year. Hard to believe we put ourselves in this position going into next year with no legitimate starting Tackle.
depth
They could provide quality depth of they EE though which we badly needed this year
"I saw coverage to the left, coverage to the right, and coverage up the middle and I said to myself, This is gunna be fun!" Peter Warrick on Punt Return
by kmp9494 on Dec 2, 2011 11:53 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Wrong
For 2012, we’ll have 4-5 freshman, 4 sophomores, & 4 juniors. So long as the attrition is not unusually bad, we’ll be fine, so long as we keep bringing in talent. Besides, 2013-2015 is not even relevant to this topic.
by Dangerous Dave! on Nov 28, 2011 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
No, FSU will pay the price in 2013-2015 because they didn't recruit anyone in 2010 and have one guy committed for 2012.
Instead FSU fans are hoping for Kyle Long. Really?
Hart needs to be our designated LT from day 1.
He had trouble early this year at LT, but when a 17 year old replaces an RS SR who is nfl bound, thatls gonna happen.
Krug at LG, with somebody behind – Barron/Carter
Stork at C again, with Barron and love lady behind
Orelus back at RG competing with Jackson and Carter
Faircloth back at RT with matias
We need to come up with a great left side. Hart and Krug probably best options. Both guys with a productive spring and summer camp could hopefully be serviceable come fall.
We’ll continue to be young for next year, except Krug, but should have guys with enough reps for 2013 to be pretty solid. Nt sure if it’ll be datko/Hudson/McMahon/spur lock/sanders solid, but it should be close.
This offseason will make our break our 2012. We’re supposed to have one of the premier OL coaches in college football here. His job is to take a line that the majority has NO spring, 1 summer and a fall, take them through spring and summer and get them serviceable by fall. Let’s hope he’s worth the money. If not next fall could be a major disappointment.
FSU's normal practice with last game to bowl week
is to work fundamentals up until the week fo the bowl (defined as the week before). Given that, and the chance to get healthy, if FSU’s offensive line looks measurably improved in the bowl, I’m optomistic going into next season. With a full off-season for the 2011 class in S&C, plus a full spring and another pre-season, I think a measurable improvement in the bowl means vast improvement in the off-season and next pre-season.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 29, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
One additional factor to consider is Newberry switching to OT
With the studs coming in at DE, he could find himself passed up on the depth chart quickly, and numerous recruiting guys like Newberry’s potential at OT more than at DE. Don’t be surprised if he makes the switch if FSU doesn’t bring in a few more quality OL in this class.
We were all created to be Seminoles. This is why we bleed garnet and piss gold.
by NoleThruandThru on Nov 28, 2011 11:41 PM EST reply actions
I'd love to see that.
He may have more potential at DE to make it to the next level, but our need is at OT. I was very pleasantly surprised by his performance in the UA game. I thought he would get bulldozed and it seemed to be anything but. He was tossing people around in that game and has a mean streak.
since he's redshirting
any word on how he is doing in the S&C dept? added weight?
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 29, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
I'd vote no on switching Newberry just because we need depth at OT
Seems like a waste considering he will be a contributor at DE.(Don’t forget he was a stud coming out himself and already has a year in the system over the new guys.) On offense though, tong term I don’t see him beating out Hart or Matias for the starters role. From personal experience, I have watched USF waste talented prospects over the years by switching guys around every year to positions of need.
Agree
His lower body doesn’t seem like a typical OT, but he definitely has the height and athleticism. It will be interesting to see how this pans out and how much weight he adds in the offseason. I for one would like to see him at OT.
by SarasotaSeminole on Dec 1, 2011 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
The tackles are going to be an issue
Here’s to hoping we can hit the JUCO lottery with a OT i.e. Glauser or Long that can come in from day 1 and hold it down. If so Hart will definitely be adequate on the other side.
I think the real key is having a center that can make the calls and stay injury free. Our line doesn’t have the worst blockers in the world, but they seem to be missing their assignments and badly. We haven’t been able to develop a center. It was supposed to be Orelus, then Stork, then Krug, then back to Stork. Here’s my hope. Stork looked better at RG and I’d like to see him return there. If Barron (preferably), Orelus, or Lovelady can settle in at C we could be adequate.
This really is a top 5 team IF we can have a dependable O-line. IMO
In a post about a month ago
I noted that Lovelady was playing LT during “garbage time” against the likes of Maryland and BC. I thought that meant he was a bust at C but someone else noted that he played LT in HS, but most importantly, is considered the best future pulling guard on the roster, implying that we should see him in the mix at RG next year.
the real question is...
will FSU have a new offensive line coach in 2012?
no
given his “tenure” and results given nothing to work with when he arrived here, plus two years left on his contract that FSU would have to pay out (at $400K per year), I think he gets another year.
About the only way he leaves is if another program tries to hire him and offers to pay/advance the buyout (either $50K or $75K, forget which). And I would think they would have to offer a lot more $$ to get him to leave when his son is on the roster. I know if I were in his shoes with a son on the roster, it would take some unusual circumstances and a real financial need to get me to go. Of course, he is in his 60s and facing retirement within five years, so if his next egg isn’t secure … But who’s going to hire him away for significantly more than $400K per year?
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 29, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions
Plus I dont see us firing the guy who was subbing as head coach when JF was out this off-season
I’d like to see what Trickett can do with the bowl practices, though neither ND or Auburn will bring a defensive line better than what FSU has already faced.
honestly
is ND or Auburn’s DL better than FSU’s scout team DL?
Assuming the DL commitments hold, the best DL next year’s OL faces once the season starts will be FSU’s scout team DL. Before that, it will be FSU’s 1st then 2nd team DLs.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 29, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
I thought ND had a really solid DL this year?
I know Lynch looks good and I thought they loaded up at DL?
"I dont hate people. I just feel better when they aren't around." -Bukowski
by cerebralfish on Nov 29, 2011 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
Why would he?
when no noise was made when RR went to Michigan. RR said he couldn’t outbid FSU when FSU raided WV for Trickett, but Michigan has the $$. If RR wanted him again, he could have made a bid for him when he went to Michigan.
Don’t think Arizona can afford $400K asst coaches who aren’t coordinators.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Dec 4, 2011 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
OL injuries
WE need more bodies on the O line. The offense has turned out to be a problem. Everything points to EJ and/or the O line as the problem. We need to be prepared for Injuries and the only way to prepare for injuries is to have more of them.
Re: Bobby Hart
I see y’all saying he should start at LT, but in my opinion he projects better as a RT. It suits him a little bit better in my opinion because he lacks the quickness at this point to be an effective pass blocker.
If your thought is just to put him at LT because that’s where we need our most reliable/experienced/whatever OT in 2012, fair enough.
Yep
2012 will be another trying year for the OL, but 2013-15 will be best. I’d love to see this starting unit:
LT: Peat/Taylor
LG: Jackson/Matias/Carter
C: Barron/Lovelady/Pettis
RG: Jackson/Matias/Carter
RT: Hart/Taylor
This unit will NOT have any problems picking up 1st downs in short-yardage situations.
Championship!
I agree that Hart ideally would be a much better RT than LT. He has a very similar skill set to Zebrie (think he will be better than Zebrie b/c of his makeup) with his ability to bend and his athletisicm. Don’t see him being a great LT. As for the rest of the oline, those worried about next year really should be. We have no answer at either LT or RT. The interior spots will sort themselves out IMO and we have various guys with the skill set to thrive at G and C. Howver all I see at Tackle is Hart who will get better but was god awfult his year regardless of the reason why and Foose who has barely seen the field in two years. You gotta hope Matias gets kicked back to Tackle and/or Datko gets a medical redshirt and decides to come back. Kyle Long is a longshot to come back to FSU and at best a JUCO OT will be in the mix b/c there is simply not a Walter Jones stud waiting in the wings out there. Getting Datko back would at least give us a measure of certainty to open the season but I hate to admit how bleak it looks right now.
Post from Spring Previewing OL
“Between Orelus, Fahrenkrug, Stork, and Snider, there is every reason to feel confident FSU will find two capable guards and two capable backups.”
The injuries have absolutely killed us.
I'm still sad about Snider
He’s a kid I actually had hopes for. I thought he could’ve been a nice OG for FSU if not for those dadgum injuries.
We were all created to be Seminoles. This is why we bleed garnet and piss gold.
by NoleThruandThru on Dec 3, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know, but it'll have to be an improvement over this years.
Nice legs. What time do they open?
by Nole Resurrected on Dec 1, 2011 9:10 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
So to sum up...
…the OL is still going to suck, and we’d really better hope EJ learns to hold onto the ball and doesn’t start seeing ghosts.
"Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thought on the unthinking."
- John Maynard Keynes
"We'll be here 'til midnight. We ain't not gonna practice."
- Jimbo Fisher
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