Assuming a starting unit (which is admittedly premature) of Gates, Foster, Utter, Farmer, Knevel, along with Carter and Cotton at TE, are we improved, same, or not as strong along the offensive line?
2015 Carter vs. 2016 Carter -- assume yes. Heard he was best ever version of self in spring
2015 Cotton vs. 2016 Cotton -- Same or improved. Don't know but he sure played well at end of season.
LT - 2015 Lewis vs. 2016 Gates -- Need smarter guys than me to answer this one. My less informed answer is not as strong, at least for the first half of the season. By the end of the season, I'm thinking it will likely be improved. I see Gates as still developing while I can't say I saw huge development in Lewis his senior year. Still he was drafted.
LG - 2015 Utter vs. 2016 Foster -- Improved. Utter the more intelligent, veteran but just in terms of pure talent and ability I like Foster. I like Foster as the better run blocker and I don't see any dropoff in pass protection since this never was an Utter strength.
C - 2015 Reeves vs. 2016 Utter -- Not as strong. This position is worrisome to me. I have visions of years past when some of our undersized, big-hearted centers were simply overpowered by huge nose tackles.
RG - 2015 Kondolo/Sterup vs. 2016 Farmer -- Not as strong only because of inexperience. Probably already better than Kondolo but I expect some growing pains early on but continually getting better throughout the season.
RT - 2015 Gates vs. 2016 Knevel -- Not as strong. Really like Gates at RT. Knevel needs to develop and I'm concerned about pass protection.
2015 Unit vs. 2016 Unit -- Not as strong in September, Improved by November. Such a young line but everybody has some playing experience, all in at least their third season in uniform. Most importantly, 2nd season under Coach Cav. With three sophomores and a first year starting junior, I expect to see them really develop individually but even more as a unit as the season develops. If they stay healthy, they could really be something in 2017 and 2018.
Now... somebody who actually knows this stuff, how about coming in and adding a little intelligence to this thing!
2015 Carter vs. 2016 Carter -- assume yes. Heard he was best ever version of self in spring
2015 Cotton vs. 2016 Cotton -- Same or improved. Don't know but he sure played well at end of season.
LT - 2015 Lewis vs. 2016 Gates -- Need smarter guys than me to answer this one. My less informed answer is not as strong, at least for the first half of the season. By the end of the season, I'm thinking it will likely be improved. I see Gates as still developing while I can't say I saw huge development in Lewis his senior year. Still he was drafted.
LG - 2015 Utter vs. 2016 Foster -- Improved. Utter the more intelligent, veteran but just in terms of pure talent and ability I like Foster. I like Foster as the better run blocker and I don't see any dropoff in pass protection since this never was an Utter strength.
C - 2015 Reeves vs. 2016 Utter -- Not as strong. This position is worrisome to me. I have visions of years past when some of our undersized, big-hearted centers were simply overpowered by huge nose tackles.
RG - 2015 Kondolo/Sterup vs. 2016 Farmer -- Not as strong only because of inexperience. Probably already better than Kondolo but I expect some growing pains early on but continually getting better throughout the season.
RT - 2015 Gates vs. 2016 Knevel -- Not as strong. Really like Gates at RT. Knevel needs to develop and I'm concerned about pass protection.
2015 Unit vs. 2016 Unit -- Not as strong in September, Improved by November. Such a young line but everybody has some playing experience, all in at least their third season in uniform. Most importantly, 2nd season under Coach Cav. With three sophomores and a first year starting junior, I expect to see them really develop individually but even more as a unit as the season develops. If they stay healthy, they could really be something in 2017 and 2018.
Now... somebody who actually knows this stuff, how about coming in and adding a little intelligence to this thing!
