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The OL Underperformed---Davis

Posted on 12/2/21 at 2:42 pm
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 2:42 pm
Hear me out. I'm gonna say no.
We have to realize importance of SEC level talent/production. Think about it. Most high 4 and 5 stars become SEC level average players. Every recruit will not become an all conference guy. (and no, star rankings are not necessarily the indicator of an SEC average level player)
Average SEC level players are the backbone of any good team. It is also the level you can't play below as a unit though an individual piece may be an above or below average player.
To me:
I think the C and RT played up to their abilities. One a below average OL in the SEC, one an average OL in the SEC.
I thought Ingram showed an SEC average game. I think he was a better player earlier in his career which shows he has enough talent--like the RT--to be a piece of a well above average line in the SEC. (2019)
Wire showed he could become an average SEC OL.
Hines performed at a below average level. His ceiling has always been fringe average SEC--which is hideable when surrounded by more talented players. His play if consistent would come in a notch below Ingram/Deculus.
Bradford and Martinez showed flashes of above average OL play. Dellinger's ceiling appears to me as SEC average but more than likely on the interior line. I'd like to see what he and Martinez would look like at C.
Turner is just not big enough to play SEC average at C. He's got good football actions and would probably be all-conference at a lower level--just not the P5 level.
I believe the OL did not underperform this season. I'll argue that I--like many others--just thought our players were better than they are!
When Davis got them to play as a unit--even with below SEC average talent--we ran and moved the ball on some good defenses. With injuries/position switching that was no small feat!
I say Davis did an exceptional job with what he had to work with. If Coach K brings in his own guy and I was with another team, I'd be on the horn with Davis in a heartbeat.
Posted by S
RIP Wayde
Member since Jan 2007
173694 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 2:43 pm to
They got better after peetz was allowed to switch up the run game

Still a lot of weaknesses but Davis didn’t recruit any of these guys. I think he did as good as he could’ve done having only come in in june or something
Posted by deuce985
Member since Feb 2008
27660 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 2:46 pm to
I saw OL improvement when they changed the blocking schemes but I honestly don't think anyone could do anything with this line. I said it for years Cregg was skullfricking LSU with his recruiting and it would hit us all at once...and it did.
Posted by LSUSkip
Central, LA
Member since Jul 2012
24717 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 2:49 pm to
It looked like strength and conditioning played a factor too. In the beginning of the season, they just looked like they were not in good shape. Gettin whipped by UCLA and hands on hips way early in the game. Davis must have worked their asses off to get them where they were by the Florida game.
Posted by PhillyTiger90
Not Phillytiger9
Member since Dec 2015
11960 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 2:53 pm to
He also didn’t get here until late if I recall

I’m willing to give him a full offseason of work before we cut him loose. But maybe BK has his own guy coming in anyway
Posted by SammyTiger
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
79834 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 2:59 pm to
It’s first a recruiting issue. Cregg was great as finishing second.

It was then a development issue.

Davis ha been here less than 12 months I don’t even think he was our guy in spring practice, so I am not gonna blame him too hard for not fixing Cregg’s mess right away.

Also the scheme sucked.
Posted by Section225
Member since Jun 2011
3737 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:00 pm to
You have to realize how untalanted our OL was and still is. Davis did a pretty good job considering what he had.
Posted by Maximus
Member since Feb 2004
81668 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:01 pm to
Not hired until June 4th. He was also hired at Arkansas by OL guy Pittman so you'd think that's a vote of confidence on his coaching too but could also be that Pittman may halfway coach them himself and just needed a recruiter.
Posted by S
RIP Wayde
Member since Jan 2007
173694 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:02 pm to
Kardell actually looked decent the last couple games. Saw some improvement in Martinez and Turner too.
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:30 pm to
Yeah. I didn't include Kardell because I just didn't see him enough.
He looked OK on some of the runnings plays. Most to me looked like stand offs 1 on 1. Unfortunately, he's so big that it's like he's doing the job of a nose tackle--holding his ground/filling up space. Seemed to hold his own when they were coming right at him on the pass rushes.
There's definitely something there but I can't make a call on him without seeing him on the field more.
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

He also didn’t get here until late if I recall

I’m willing to give him a full offseason of work before we cut him loose. But maybe BK has his own guy coming in anyway

Yep. Me too.
Posted by BayouCowboy
Member since Dec 2012
16776 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:38 pm to
One way to look at Davis is the same as Burrow in 2018. Both showed up late, both were handcuffed by poor OC schemes and both had inexperienced or inconsistent talent.

I don't think Davis coaches to a Burrow level as a player if he returns, but if the obstacles are removed he should produce a much better product with the OL.
This post was edited on 12/2/21 at 3:49 pm
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

You have to realize how untalanted our OL was and still is. Davis did a pretty good job considering what he had.

My point exactly.
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:44 pm to
quote:

One way to look at Davis is the same as Burrow in 2018. Both showed up late, both were handcuffed by poor OC schemes and both had inexperienced or inconsistent talent.

I don't think Davis coaches to a Burrow level as a player, but if the obstacles are removed he should produce a much better product with the OL.

Effing Outstanding. Wish I'd have thought of it that way!
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:48 pm to
quote:

Gettin whipped by UCLA and hands on hips way early in the game. Davis must have worked their asses off to get them where they were by the Florida game.

Yep. Another good point.
Posted by des4271
Member since Oct 2014
4685 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:48 pm to
There are several I noticed from the first series of UCLA game that were fat, overweight and out of shape. Bet this changes with BK being here now.
Posted by ProjectP2294
West St. Louis County
Member since May 2007
79626 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:50 pm to
quote:

Kardell actually looked decent the last couple games. Saw some improvement in Martinez and Turner too.


The amount of injuries and shuffling, combined none of them being Davis' guys, I thought he did a bang up job and wouldn't be upset if he were retained.

With so many guys getting playing time and improving over the course of the season, it makes me feel a little better about the depth of the O-line. We just need more top end guys.
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:50 pm to
quote:

There are several I noticed from the first series of UCLA game that were fat, overweight and out of shape. Bet this changes with BK being here now.

No question and I am jazzed about it too!
Posted by Mobiletiggah
Mobile Alabama
Member since Mar 2021
4104 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 3:57 pm to
Brad Davis is certainly a good enough OL coach to consider keeping, However it was ugly most of the time and you can’t put it all on the players. There was a lot of experience with this group, and injury was also a factor as always.
Posted by Damathe
Member since Apr 2020
7092 posts
Posted on 12/2/21 at 4:05 pm to
quote:

Saw some improvement in Martinez and Turner too.

Who knows, but I'm thinking Martinez will be starting somewhere on the line next season.

Before the season I saw multiple times how Turner was up to 300lbs. Roster came out and he looked like the 287lbs. it showed. I like him as a player but they've pushed his shite in when he's played C. He wasn't bad at LT but I can't see him holding up against some of the elite rushers he would see.
And if you put more weight on him it might limit his mobility/athleticism. Maybe it works out--wouldn't hurt my feelings to be wrong-- but I think he would be a top performer at a lower level.
The weight thing is a pet peeve of mine. Think I'll start a thread about Moffitt and see what ya'll think.
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