re: Projected starting OLine next near is STOUT!

Kardell Thomas will be a monster somewhere on the line next year

What's rather interesting is the offense overall should return quite a few people. You'll have most of the WRs, offensive line, and QB returning. The younger stars will be more grown up as well.

Still need at least one sure-fire tackle coming in. Prefer 2 which frees up Traore for OG in 2019 if needed.

I have hopes for Bradford at OT, but it is "hope" at this point lacking both information and way-to-early judgement.

That depth (OT) is still thin with any attrition.

Begin eval at C of existing G's, plan on getting another one next year. Kardell cross trained here? It's a thought; we shall see said the zen master.

Plan on Deculus being multi-position with the assumed development of Rosenthal, possibly Traore getting up to speed (literally). With what we know now, the goal should be to give Rosenthal and Hines as much reps as possible while at the same time keeping Deculus progressing. Possible huge dividends next year.

What I wouldn't give for just 1 5th year OLman to get us caught up with quality depth.

But that is real solid, contingent on Deculus. Very solid with an as-expected Rosenthal. Like best in the SEC solid. And experienced. Hopefully we don't change OCs and/or OL coaches again to build some continuity to go with that experience (doubtful either are changed).

I'm probably in the minority but the most excited I am for "starting position predictions" is Rosenthal at left tackle. How fun would that be to watch to see Dare Rosenthal come out at left tackle next year and be like a projected top 10 pick in the draft? I swear to God I think he has the ability to do it. He moves too well at his size not to be serviceable at minimum and great at best. 6'7" 330 pounds with light feet. Imagine if Calais Campbell played left tackle instead of defensive end. He would have been a hall of Famer. He might get there regardless.

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Lloyd can take a seat for a year at backup C if Lewis or Ingram can play the spot better and Kardell is ready for SEC play.

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A) No freshman is FULLY ready to play OL in the SEC. Even some of the greats struggle come late Oct and Nov. Kardell will play, maybe even start, but he'll be in some type of rotation.

B) Ingram is iffy. Complete unknown if he will be back.

C) IF Ingram is back, he may be too far behind Lewis at that point. Which I agree is a shame. But, there's no guarantee of that. Hines/Ingram?/Lewis will battle it out at OG with Kardell pushing or right in middle of mix

D) C is not plug and play. Especially with us running shotgun at least +30% of the time. Gotta snap it. And protections are different in shotgun/pistol vs. under center. All layers of complication for the C.

However, Cole Smith will come along, and they will cross-train one of those OGs to be C also for depth. Which is what threw everybody in a tizzy about this year when Brumfield would get his snaps there.

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WTF? Lloyd Cushenberry will be All-Sec at the end of the season.

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I kept saying since spring good enough for "2nd team all SEC". He's exceeding those expecations some. Run blocking at 2nd level needs to improve, but still exceeding. But first team? I dunno. Other poster is right, Pierschbacher is the best in SEC at C and Cush is doing very well, just not quite "excellent" because of that run blocking. Couldn't be more happy with snaps and assignments however.

ETA: I'm with you on Rosenthal I-H8-Bama

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quote:wouldn't shock me to see one of ingram or lewis move to C so Kardell can play The optimistic problem is that Lloyd is playing very well at C. Kardell might have to wait a year if we are being realistic. And that is because im so optimistic of what we have next year. Kardell will start in 2019 without a doubt.

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And then again, it Ingram returns in good standing, I wouldn't be shocked (perhaps mildly surprised) if Thomas doesn't even make the 2-deep at OG in 2019.

Potential 2-deep (if everyone returns):
LT - Charles/Rosenthal
LG - Ingram/Hines
OC - cushenberry/CSmith
RG - Lewis/Magee
RT - Deculus/Traore

A number of "ifs" there (will Traore's performance jump over the next 10 months; will Cole Smith be physically ready; etc). But this 2-deep is not farfetched - because after all, Magee is gonna be in the 2-deep somewhere (if not starting) - and for some reason, hasn't even been mentioned in this thread.

I think more depth is needed