Check out this blurb from Bruce Feldman’s blog today:
• Missouri is shuffling its O-line, Stu Durando writes: “Gary Pinkel and his staff have been working on the best way to restructure the line since losing their best two linemen — third-team All-America center Adam Spieker and left tackle Tyler Luellen — after the 2007 season. The latest configuration includes Colin Brown and redshirt freshman Elvis Fisher at the tackles, Kurtis Gregory and Ryan Madison at the guards and Tim Barnes at center. Even a first-year freshman is in the mix for playing time.”
My three cents: this is interesting since Pinkel’s now protecting Chase Daniel’s blindside with a guy (Fisher) who has never played in a college game and will open up with an Illinois team that has a lot of speed coming off the edge.
ZOMG!!!! Missouri must be in crisis mode! Isn’t Pinkel aware of the potential national implications of this? By the way, citizens of Montana – Missouri was ranked fourth in SI.com’s preseason poll. Do your duty.
Closer to home on the same topic, David Hale rates the odds of each of contenders to become Sturdivant’s replacement this season.
Get The Picture 
Well… one argument for minimizing the importance of this to Missouri’s MNC chances is that DLs in the Big 12 aren’t nearly as good as they are in the SEC.
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Ive been reading scores of blog posts about our left tackle situation. I’m very sorry for TS and I know the difference it makes to lose an experienced OL….
But the thing I haven’t figured out is the great technical skill difference between a left tackle and left guard- or a left tackle and right tackle for that matter. I know the LT is very important b/c he protects the QB from the blind side, but can anyone tell me the different skills between a tackle and a guard. If you know the blocking scheme at guard, you probably alraedy know what the tackle is gonna do.
I guess all this means we don’t use the Strong Tackle and Weak Tackle scheme.
Someone fill me in?
Go Dawgs.
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The main difference is dealing with the opposing team’s best D-line rusher. Also, anyone who hasn’t been cross trained has to learn the blocking rules and playbook for the position.
Skill wise shouldn’t be that different. Athleticism might be.
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Hale is reporting that Tripp is most likely moving to LT permanently. I have to say, I do like his athleticism at that position.
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Would say that the oline is the only area where strength and technique can beat out athleticism. Still we are a lot deeper than the pundits realize. Most people don’t realize how much are back ups played. This is our deepest oline in CMR’s regime, and I believe we have the best oline coach in the south east if not the nation.
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HVL, we ditched the Strong/Split tackle thing when Calloway moved on and Searels moved in. Searels’ way is indeed the “traditional” way, as the best OL (who can play OT, anyway) is always guarding the QB’s back (so to speak).
I’m not sure I’m the right person to explain the nuances involved in what makes a good OT versus a good OG. I guess I’d say that an OT needs exceptional lateral quickness for a big man, because he tends to be blocking speedy pass rushers off the end. Guards are in the middle on pass protection, and while they often do one on one block, they’re at an advantage. OTOH, Guards are often pulling/trapping on run plays. A Guard needs to be able to get down the line in a hurry (again, for a big man), so traditional speed is a little more important there.
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OMG! Especially since Mr. Feldman has Mizzou No. 1 and thinks they will win the MNC!
Yes! He said it on CFB Live last week.
We’re doomed! Or domed? Can’t remember.
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