What do you make of each OLine starter is lighter than the backup -some cases significantly lighter?
Do you think the coaching staff is looking for more agile and quicker lineman who can pull and move better in space for the running attack against A&M? Might that telegraph an offensive tendency for this matchup. Or do you think it is a complete coincidence and there is nothing to it.
I do find it interesting that several more experienced and 20 lb heavier lineman have been replaced with younger and lighter players. (It is also possible that the weights listed are dated and some of the younger starters are heavier come game time.) What do you all think?
Link: https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/notre-dame-football-roster-depth-chart-2024-texas-a-m
Replies to: What do you make of each OLine starter is lighter than the backup -some cases significantly lighter?
Weight is overrated, football skills more important.
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Bill Walsh teams. I think it means they are going to be more 50/50 run pass than 70/30 Run.
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I think if they had 5 massive beasts they’d play them. But with Wagner and Schrauth being so mobile
already, may as well double down and build a more athletic line to use. I think they are good enough coaches to build around a massive line or to build around a mobile and agile line. I expect these guys to pull a good bit and to get out in front of a lot of screens.
I think it's just coincidence
The player who presents the best package of physical abilities, technique, and can put on a clean performance is going to play over someone whose total package isn't quite as good. Not everyone can be the complete package the likes of Quenton Nelson, which is why the best overall guys are going to play, even if they're less adept in certain areas.
For example, Ryan Harris was a starter in 2003 as a true freshman, and to say that he was 255 lbs was actually being a bit generous at the time (back when most college linemen were around 290-300). Nevertheless, his technique and anticipation were so good even as a true freshman, that he leapfrogged a lot of Bob Davie's guys (who weren't chopped liver), who were bigger, stronger, and more experienced.
Yes, he got overrun by some of the more powerful ends and tackles, but still held his own very well.
On the other hand, Trevor Ruhland had a starting spot for a while, since his technique was good, but he was playing on two bad knees that most of us wouldn't even be able to walk on, and when Josh Lugg stepped in and took over, Ruhland wasn't coming back, since he knew his time was over.
Going back to the Holtz era, everyone thought that Jordan Halter would have seized a starting spot on the line, since he was easily the best athlete among all of the offensive linemen, while also having a big frame, very good footspeed, and quite a lot of strength, but he was beaten out by Lindsay Knapp (20 lbs lighter than Halter), who had much better technique.
Or on the defensive side, Bryant Young was barely 255 lbs as a true sophomore, having switched over from linebacker in the spring of 1991. After George Williams got kicked off the team, everyone thought that it would be Junior Bryant or Troy Ridgely taking over that nose tackle spot, but Bryant Young was easily the best man for the job, even if he were badly underweight for the position.
Heavier doesn't equal better.
I'd rather have more agile linemen with a twitchy QB like Riley.
That's my point, I think it might be a tell
that they are going to rely more on Riley's legs and screen game than the drop back passing game.
...maybe, but the word from camp is that...
...the 2 youngsters were also the best RUN blockers as well! 💪
I equate it to many saying Howard Cross III is undersized to play his position.
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Just interesting, since A&M has such a big DLine, you
might think it would be advantageous to start the bigger olineman to match it. Instead, they are opting for the lighter line. It could be strategic or just a coincidence that the younger and lighter players performed better in practice.
A&Ms starting line isn't that big...
...they do have the one jumbo 320 guy, but the rest are listed at 300, and Scourton 285. Byw, don't buy those AtM weights: they are miraculously all divisible by 5 w the exception of like 2 guys on the whole roster!! And someone else said this, so I can't take credit, but one of their 2 Shemars, they've been saying how he's trimmed down and in great shape, yet he's listed as heavier than he was last year, LOL.
And they'll weigh even less in College Station than in South Bend...
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Everything’s bigger in Texas….oh wait
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You read my post! (Or already knew). Joy!!!
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I incorporated your knowledging us previously...
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