Very interesting. But didn't he also say at the beginnning of last year that last year's line was the most talented yet?
He did say that but that was before a very unusual rash of injuries took out most of the starters or left them hobbled for the rest of the year.Maybe so, not sure.
But this depth comment really shocks me.
Very interesting. But didn't he also say at the beginnning of last year that last year's line was the most talented yet?
I think you are right about CPJ. Likewise, if he were to win all 12 games next year he would not be one to say, "Well, this is what we have been working on and I knew all along if people were patient and we could get the right people in place this was the kind of season that was possible." Rather, he would say something like, "Sometimes all the pieces come together, you don't have injuries and a few guys play beyond expectation and we were fortunate that that all happened and I give these guys total credit for a great season."To add a little bit of color...
He said the most depth described as the expected number of OL athletes on the team. I truly believe he is a show you/show me guy in what he does and what he expects. Last year was the most experienced. That means nothing more than they have years in the position. The most depth means nothing more than a full compliment in number. CPJ is not going to say he has a OL that is going to win all 12 games next year. He would rather win all 12 games and let that speak for itself.
Well, it is an interesting quote. Hopefully true.
But, in year 7, should we not expect to have the most deep & talented OL he has fielded?
I think we are seeing a kinder, gentler Coach Johnson this summer.Maybe so, not sure.
But this depth comment really shocks me.
On top of that, we don't oversign or wash out under performing players like the factories. I think Bama cycles through twice as many players as we do over a 5 yr period. Think about that for a minute.I agree to an extent. However, It seems that Developing depth is a harder task than you would think it would be. Guys get hurt, transfer out, move to another position, graduate or goto the NFL after either 3, 4, or 5 years, or just don't pan out. consequently it's a never ending juggling act to recruit the right number of players each year so that each position has the right amount of depth.
On top of that, we don't oversign or wash out under performing players like the factories. I think Bama cycles through twice as many players as we do over a 5 yr period. Think about that for a minute.
Yeah, I was referring to the team as a whole. The funny thing is they have every right under the current rules to publicly cut players after one year - the actual duration of the scholly. They, and nobody, wants to admit to doing that. But that's essentially what they are doing.Thought about for a minute. Now what? It seems that the more players you cycle through, the harder it would be to build a cohesive unit up front. I always hear about how important having those front five on the same page is. For about three years now, the preseason hoopla has been around the emergence of the offensive line. Then something has succeeded to derail things and a patchwork line is what we play with. I will always agree that having more (and better) athletes is preferable, but eventually it comes down to having five really good and durable players. Maybe this year is the year for that.
What if we changed policy and cut a few players at the end of the first year. How would that help us? I would not even know which four or five to cut. And if they were identifiable, you would be risking cutting a player that might blossom later just to give a scholarship to an untried high school prospect. Seems dicey.Yeah, I was referring to the team as a whole. The funny thing is they have every right under the current rules to publicly cut players after one year - the actual duration of the scholly. They, and nobody, wants to admit to doing that. But that's essentially what they are doing.
There's no argument that eliminating your "misses" and producing more chances for "hits" is preferable to absorbing your misses for 4+ years.
We tend to take more projects than Bama, so giving them time to develop makes sense. Bama fills it's classes with 4 and 5 stars, it's less risky and more rewarding for them to have higher turn over.What if we changed policy and cut a few players at the end of the first year. How would that help us? I would not even know which four or five to cut. And if they were identifiable, you would be risking cutting a player that might blossom later just to give a scholarship to an untried high school prospect. Seems dicey.