DRC: UNT offensive line outlook for 2019

Brett Vito · February 18, 2019

DRC:

https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/unt-offensive-line-outlook-for-unt-will-be-strong-inside/article_63bfb291-d7e6-5058-be9f-82194cf8d785.html

MGNation92 · February 18, 2019

Tackles are very worrisome. Also concerned about the backup OC job. If Sosaia goes down I'm not confident in anyone behind him to have quality snaps/calls at the line.

Edited February 18, 2019 by MGNation92

Philip Ferguson · February 18, 2019

On today's Campus Insiders program, Michael Felder said UNT will have the best offensive line in CUSA for 2019!

97and03 · February 19, 2019

Vito really needs to stop listing no-name walk ons as “key” returners and losses in these articles.

Side Show Joe · February 19, 2019

This won't be popular to say, but it needs to be said....

Our offensive line was not "solid" as this article suggests. In our 4 loses, the offense only managed to produce a combined 15 points in the second half of those games. And, we all know we have some of the best skill position players in Texas, and certainly in C-USA. Sure some of it was play calling, but a lot of it was also the o-line too. Fine was running for his life way too often.

The lines remain a question mark for me. Until I actually see an improvement in the trenches, and see a greater focus on recruiting both offensive and defensive linemen, I will continue to have my doubts about how productive our offense will be. Plantin could be a great addition, and I hope he is. But, don't think he is not enough. We need more higher end talent in the trenches. Games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage.

MeanGreenTexan · February 19, 2019

For me, the OL will hinge on Plantin being the real deal at LT. If he is, we're going to be MUCH better than last year.
I think Brammer, with a little experience last year & another offseason to get bigger/stronger, will be able to step right in at RT and be as effective as Mayfield... possibly moreso.
The Mose brothers now have a ton of experience, and will only get better.
I really hope Littrell leaves Woodworth at LG this offseason and allows him to prepare to play that position & excel. I think part of his struggles last year was practicing during the Spring & Fall at LT, which requires a different set of skills in blocking, then moving back to LG just before the season started. He is good & has a shot at the League.

southsideguy · February 19, 2019

The OL is the key to our sucess. Give Mason time and on his feet and he will kill the defense. He seems to spend a lot of his time running for his life. Hopefully the new OC can put in some plays to slow down the defense. I hoping the OL improves greatly and stays healthy.

GrandGreen · February 19, 2019

The offensive line was not has bad last year as many portray, or the offense would not have the numbers that had. Fine was injured the last part of the season and a lot easier target for the defense. Defenses also were also well aware of NT basic plays at that point.

The center of the offensive line should be better as all return. The offensive tackles are the question, and NT actually has some good candidates for those positions. The juco Plantin. returnees Anthony, Parrish and Brammer; as well as some promising young linemen should enable the ol to be an improved unit.

97and03 · February 20, 2019

11 hours ago, GrandGreen said:

The offensive line was not has bad last year as many portray, or the offense would not have the numbers that had. Fine was injured the last part of the season and a lot easier target for the defense. Defenses also were also well aware of NT basic plays at that point.

The center of the offensive line should be better as all return. The offensive tackles are the question, and NT actually has some good candidates for those positions. The juco Plantin. returnees Anthony, Parrish and Brammer; as well as some promising young linemen should enable the ol to be an improved unit.

Fine was, at least in part, injured multiple times bc of the beating he took due to a lack of blocking!

UNTLifer · February 20, 2019

FYI, Plantin is a one and done transfer not a JUCO.

NorthTexasWeLove · February 20, 2019

70% play calling/30% OL play.

We do not have a world class OL. Sometimes they whiff and whiff badly, especially on the edges. It creates havoc when this happens.

With that said, our OC did not adjust to what defenses were doing in regards to pressuring our QB. Same counts on step backs, same methodical route trees, same calls when the defense is tweaking at the line to get to Fine. Really poor OL play does not produce almost back to back 4k passers and 64% completion %. They are not great, that is no mystery. The lack of in the moment play calling to sway defenders from pinning their ears caused a lot of our OL "issues".