Since Nathan Puthoff is the only senior on the starting offensive line, it's easy to understand why there have been so many offensive line breakdowns this season. Looking at the first team and second team from the 11/02/2017 depth chart, you see very young offensive linemen.
LT 67 Millin, Stefano RS JR 78 Corrigall, Zach RS FR
LG 75 Gregoire, Adam SO 62 James, Davonte RS JR/TR
OC 54 Puthoff, Nathan SR 76 Van Hoef, Chase RS SO
RG 74 Warnock, Nate SO/TR 59 Shinsky, Connor RS JR
RT 64 Gibbs, Bryce RS SO 78 Corrigall, Zach RS FR
TE 88 Brumfield, Connor RS SO 46 Butler, Chalfonte RS SO
One might say that learning to play on the offensive line is like being married. You just have to develop over time. You get to know the guy next to you after playing for so long. But because so many young players have been sent in to play on the offensive line this year, the guys have not had a lot of time to play together as a cohesive group.
The Flashes have not been able to run-block well and have been poor in pass protection. The offensive line has given up too many sacks and the running backs early in the season struggled to get past the line of scrimmage.
Pass blocking requires a knowledge of how the player next to you will react. Against a defensive stunt, for example, if one offensive lineman steps up and the player next to him steps back or sideways even slightly, that forms a gap that can be exploited. Each offensive lineman has to learn what the other guy does. It is so intricate, the average fan sitting in the stands who hasn't played football probably doesn't understand what happens.
Timing and knowing how another guy steps are so important for an offensive lineman. As a lineman you are always thinking, does he step backward a little bit, does he step up, do I have to slide over more. It is all these little things and it takes time for an offensive line to know one another.
By now, you would think that everyone should know the system. But it is obvious that some of the young guys are still having problems learning it.
On paper, the Flashes look like they will be much improved up front next year. But on paper doesn't block anybody. So Haynes and his staff will have a lot of work to do next year to improve the offensive line so that Bollas will have more time to throw the ball and make completions.
http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/kent-state/90843
LT 67 Millin, Stefano RS JR 78 Corrigall, Zach RS FR
LG 75 Gregoire, Adam SO 62 James, Davonte RS JR/TR
OC 54 Puthoff, Nathan SR 76 Van Hoef, Chase RS SO
RG 74 Warnock, Nate SO/TR 59 Shinsky, Connor RS JR
RT 64 Gibbs, Bryce RS SO 78 Corrigall, Zach RS FR
TE 88 Brumfield, Connor RS SO 46 Butler, Chalfonte RS SO
One might say that learning to play on the offensive line is like being married. You just have to develop over time. You get to know the guy next to you after playing for so long. But because so many young players have been sent in to play on the offensive line this year, the guys have not had a lot of time to play together as a cohesive group.
The Flashes have not been able to run-block well and have been poor in pass protection. The offensive line has given up too many sacks and the running backs early in the season struggled to get past the line of scrimmage.
Pass blocking requires a knowledge of how the player next to you will react. Against a defensive stunt, for example, if one offensive lineman steps up and the player next to him steps back or sideways even slightly, that forms a gap that can be exploited. Each offensive lineman has to learn what the other guy does. It is so intricate, the average fan sitting in the stands who hasn't played football probably doesn't understand what happens.
Timing and knowing how another guy steps are so important for an offensive lineman. As a lineman you are always thinking, does he step backward a little bit, does he step up, do I have to slide over more. It is all these little things and it takes time for an offensive line to know one another.
By now, you would think that everyone should know the system. But it is obvious that some of the young guys are still having problems learning it.
On paper, the Flashes look like they will be much improved up front next year. But on paper doesn't block anybody. So Haynes and his staff will have a lot of work to do next year to improve the offensive line so that Bollas will have more time to throw the ball and make completions.
http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/kent-state/90843
