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- Feb 9, 2021
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Our main issue last season was getting physically dominated at the point of attack, especially on the interior, where guys where undersized and not athletic enough, especially vs tite fronts that happen to attack the interior of the offensive line.With due respect OP, size is not an advantage without coresponding quickness and ability. With that said, with technique, quickness and aggression, you can block larger DL, or you scheme and Double them - witness it from Pop Warner through the NFL. Miami hasn't done it very well, and 3 years in, we are still trying to find the right guys to play the problem positions, which is a much more serious issue than size.
Comparing the Canes' OL to Bama's is apples and oranges. I mentioned this before each of our previous two SEC openers. Yes, Bama is the standard. That is because it is recruited to compete against SEC Front 7s and be the driving force behind NC runs.
Ours has largely been (because of recruiting) a haphazard group slapped together still being moved around and looking for an Identity. While we wait for something positive to happen, and hope for a shot at winning the weak ACC Coastal. I want to be optimistic with this group, but so far its been tough.
And in college football, size at the offensive line position absolutely matters. Offensive lines are getting heavier and heavier every season, Alabama is just following a trend just like everyone else. If you dont have the quickness, you better be a brick wall.
Navaughn Donaldson isnt a fairly quick guard, but he was our best interior offensive lineman last season and he came back from a pretty bad knee injury whilst not even being in full shape. He was the only one not getting physically abused.
Wisconsin and Iowa offensive lineman arent exactly known for being athletic specimen due to the scheme they run, but all of them are brick walls and get hardly moved.