Hey Guys! I'm in the middle of writing another Position Preview article, this time for the Offensive Line. At its peak last season, I believe the Line was as follows, Jerry Ugokwe (Left Tackle), James Johnson (Left Guard), Matt Crisafi (Center), Trevor Springman (Right Guard), and Dominic Martinelli (Right Tackle).

With the graduation of Springman, Johnson, and Crisafi, it becomes vitally important to find more viable starters. Specifically, who do you guys think will be the go-to options at Guard? I think the decision of who to start at the Left and Right Guard spots might just be a couple of the hardest decisions the Tribe has to make this offseason.

Anyways, what do you guys think? I'll post a link to the article within the next couple days! One Tribe.

Back in the spring the line was shaping up to look like this: Durant (LT), Hilland (LG), Jones ©, Martinelli (RG), Ugokwe (RT)
Though lots of things may have changed between now and then. Hilland and Martinelli are both big for guards. I like this group because it has a lot of youth. It will be interesting to see who will step up to be a leader on the line.

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticl...=209438700

The Spring write-up has the cast of characters. Jones is preseason All-CAA at Center where he was the starter last year. Considerable experience at Guard with Hilland and Martinelli young and very talented. Baron Goodman and Nick Easter experienced and very good options. Durant is obviously very talented to cause the shift of Ugokwe to the right side, and Martinelli to Guard. Jennings athletic and saw time last year. Templeton versatile and experienced. Rhodes reshaped his body last Winter and showed well in the Spring. Overall one of the most athletic lines we've had with plenty of size and depth.

Newly published Offensive Line article posted today!

http://wmsportsblog.com/2014/07/31/2014-...sive-line/

(07-31-2014 10:45 AM)WMSportsBlog Wrote:  Newly published Offensive Line article posted today!

http://wmsportsblog.com/2014/07/31/2014-...sive-line/

Thanks for posting this Sports Blog., sounds encouraging.

I don't think you meant to use "dearth" here. A sufficiency of depth might have been more accurate. Otherwise, a nice article.

Why was Ugokwe moved to RT? If he was so strong on the blind side why not keep him there?

(07-31-2014 12:06 PM)hktribefan Wrote:  Why was Ugokwe moved to RT? If he was so strong on the blind side why not keep him there?

I think it really is a situation where Chris Durant is just that good. As stated in the article, he was in the mix for playing time as a true freshman last preseason until an injury set him back. He was very solid in the spring and held his own against the best DE in the league (Reilly) in the spring game. So, in this instance, moving from LT to RT, says more about Durant's abilities than a sign of any weakness in Ugokwe.

Same with Connor Hilland. I think Jennings and Easter are starter quality CAA linemen, so it says a lot that Hilland is penciled as the starting guard going into camp.

Love the depth and youth of this unit. Should be a real strength for years to come.

Our OL and LB units have been the strength of teams for the past 15 years. I have 100% confidence this year's line (and LBs) will continue that trend.

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(07-31-2014 12:06 PM)hktribefan Wrote:  Why was Ugokwe moved to RT? If he was so strong on the blind side why not keep him there?

Maybe Jimmye is tipping his hand that he's starting a left handed QB next season. Wasn't Yankovich a lefty in the Spring Game?

Tomorrow (Monday) is the Tribe's Football Media Day, with practice starting on Tuesday.

So it begins.