Oline Upgrade/downgrade '14-15

No love for Vadal?

I think as a whole were going to be just as good as last year. However, although you gave an edge to Collins, it is not anywhere near a push as of right now at LT. It's always hard to replace a first round talent. I like Hawkins potential, but he is no where near a first round pick right now. I also think that Vadal is a better guard than Pocic, but that Pocic is a better T. Until Vadal shows he can consistently handle the speed rush, I agree with your RT assessment.

Hard to say really...Collins was a very good talent and not easily replaced. Cooper will be much easier to replace. The three returning starters are all at different spots at this point although Vadal played RT as a freshmen.

I'm going to say 2015 is better. My reasons are: I like Pocic at G more than C because of his quickness and pulling ability and the fact that they have more time in the zone scheme. Clearly, as many have pointed out, the OL improved as did the TEs in blocking last year despite going against stacked fronts. I also think a decent passing game, which I expect, will make them look better even if they are equivalent. Finally I think the recruiting has improved lately.

Our OL will be better this year than last, and with quality depth as well.

Our OL struggled at times last year. But, part of that is connected to the passing game, or lack there of, from last year. We went against stacked boxes most of the time because nobody respected Jennings and the passing attack.

Hopefully that's different this year. If we have a passing attack where teams have to respect it and can't stack the box 75% of the time, LF and our RBs will have big holes to run through.

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LT: La'el Collins / Jerald Hawkins - Push, but edge to Collins.
LG: Vadal Alexander / Ethan Pocic - Pocic gets the edge imo.
C: Elliot Porter / Will Clapp - Clapp will not get slapped around like Porter.
RG: Ethan Pocic / Josh Boutte - push, but to road grading, id give edge to Boutte
RT: Jerald Hawkins / Vadal Alexander - Hawkeye gets this one.

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To call you optimistic would be an insult to the word.

Under no circumstances is the switch from Collins to Hawkins at left tackle a push. Collins was one of the most dominant blockers in school history. Period. Hawkins has a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same breath with La'el.

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LG: Vadal Alexander / Ethan Pocic - Pocic gets the edge imo.

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I like Pocic. I think he is nearly as versatile as former Alabama All-American Barret Jones. However, Alexander is an absolute beast on the interior. Meanwhile, Pocic's greatest potential likely lies on the edge at tackle. Plus, sliding from right to left can be a big challenge for some players.

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C: Elliot Porter / Will Clapp - Clapp will not get slapped around like Porter.

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Was Porter undersized? Yes. Still, you are dismissing the talents of a fifth-year senior as though he was nothing. Clapp hasn't taking a meaningful snap yet as a Tiger, so I don't know how this is such a simple conclusion.

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RG: Ethan Pocic / Josh Boutte - push, but to road grading, id give edge to Boutte

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I agree. The way scouts talk about Boutte, it almost seems like he will be the most dominant interior run blocker since Herman Johnson.

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RT: Jerald Hawkins / Vadal Alexander - Hawkeye gets this one.

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Agree. I think Alexander is better inside than out.

Its all about the Center position. If Clapp is better than Porter then we are at least just as good. Losing Lael is a big loss, but 3 others are returning including Pocic and all should be better than last yr. Boutte is getting the press from respectable people, so you have to think he's ready and maybe shouldve played more last yr.

Pocic, like Lael will go down as an all time great. Havent ever seen a 6 7 center get on lbers like this guy. When he's at guard you'll be hard pressed to find a missed block all game by him and several times you will see him get a hat on two guys effectively. Absolutely the most underrated Tiger on this team. Id give the 2014 OL a slight edge at this point, but Porter was a liability at times. So if Clapp is the man and Alexander and Hawkins can adjust to their new positions.....

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Id give the 2014 OL a slight edge at this point,

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I disagree bc the team will have had a full year in Grimes' system. If comparing each position individually, last year's ol would be better. But as a unit working in Grime's system, this year's unit will be much better. My biggest concern is VA at rt instead of Pocic, but it's worth it to have VA back.

At conclusion of last season, I really expected to see Pocic moved outside to RT and Vadal staying put at LG. Having said that, I now expect to see more pulling of the LG with Pocic. They didn't have Vadal on the go like that last season. He was just full steam straight ahead. Seems the right side with Boutte and Vadal will play like the left side last year. Straight ahead steam rolling shite. I still wonder if we will see Pocic outside in some of the cupcake games. Get him a taste for next year.

LT: Collins and it isn't even close (not knocking Hawkins though). Collins was our best OL since Mawae.

LG: Pocic is the better overall lineman, but I'll just take him for pass protection, Vadal for rush protection because he's a mauler

C: Porter, just because of limited PT by Clapp

RG: Same as LG. Pocic overall better lineman, but I think Boutte will be better at run protection.

RT: Hawkins. I really liked Hawkins at RT.

"Collins was our best OL since Mawae"

Yes, Collins was one of our best lineman since Mawae, but
ever heard of Alan Fanaca or Andrew Whitworth? Both were all americans and Fanaca will be in the NFL HOF