So the offensive line could all return although it wouldn't surprise me if Hoge & Kramer both compete for starting jobs. Here's a quick look at what the OL looks like.
LT - McGlinchey
LG - Nelson
C - Mustipher/Hoge
RG - McGovern/Kramer
RT - Bars
There is a lot to like in that unit. They took their lumps at times in 2016 but I think Kramer ends up starting and will be a pretty large upgrade over McGovern. Bars with another year should be vastly improved too.
The OL sucked. Let's try some new blood. McClinchy is a terrible left tackle
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Quenton Nelson was pretty good in 2015 and 2016 and will be good again in 2017.
Starting young, inexperienced players on the offensive line rarely turns out to be a great idea.
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For whatever reason (he was forced or he actually gets it), Kelly stepped out of his comfort zone and, at least on paper, has hired a better staff.
When you look at how ND lost games last year...it was mostly the little things---and it's the "little things" that you pay coaches big money to address.
The 2017 schedule looks more rigorous, but i don't see a game that says, Oh, no chance.
So yes, I'm optimistic
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I'm sure he didn't come back for another year to move back to RT.
I've said it before, McGlinchey was far from the biggest problem on the line. He'll be just fine at LT in 2017.
I personally would rather see him at RT, but LT is where the money is. I suspect the reason he came back was to cement himself as a LT (I think if he came out this year pro teams would look at him as a RT prospect).
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From what I have heard, left tackle will be filled by either Tommy Kraemer or Liam Eichenberg. The coaches appear to be very high on both of these guys.
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the team is stoned. the coaches are stoned. but we have crossroads and a jumbotron! and play on ground up rubber! thank god for ND hoops.
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