I watched a little of the Vikings game on-line.. Even as a Vikes fan, I think the offensive line has quite a bit of work to do in terms of run blocking to be successful this year.. At defensive back, Trae Waynes is finding out he better listen to more experienced players and coaching so that he just doesn't depend on that wealth of athletic ability. Both offensive line and defensive back are the positions that require the most technique, IMO.. ALL POSITIONS have technique to be taught but those are the ones that need it the most. Waynes will go through a tough time early but I think he will finally 'get it' at some point.. As far as o-line, a guy like TJ Clemmings as a rookie is so 'green' that he will need to get a ton of reps as he isn't natural at 'rolling those hips' to get that natural movement to run block. He is a 'bend at the waist' type guy that may be better off as a "wall off and shield' guy early in his career. His feet are better than his hips. It is a testament to his athleticism that he is even being considered to start this early, as he has not played a lot of offensive line, even in college.
That leads me to think of the Gophers. I am so thankful for the coaching that Jay Sawvel provides for the DBs in technique. Not only do they do a great job back there as individuals but communicate well as a group. And with the depth provided, you can tell they recruit well, not just athletically, but guys that understand the importance to help each other out. I think developing 'players that help with coaching' can sometimes be an even better gift for the program than just being a good coach to the individual players.. It perpetuates success from older player to younger.
Offensive line is all about the technique.. Bench press, 40 yard dash times, squat amounts are fine in determining the type of athlete but not as important as the technique and mental part of the game.These guys have a ton of things swimming in their head. All that while big and fast guys across the ball are trying to make them look bad in a very short distance and period of time. Technique is extremely important.. There is a learning process of young guys who have probably been good enough athletically in high school with getting away with bad technique and still succeeding. When they struggle early in their careers, I am sure a lot of guys attitudes are "the heck with this, I am doing what I did in high school".. Only to be met with more failure until they trust the coaches. Limegrover has done a good job developing depth and once again, that means not only getting guys to be good as starters but placing importance that those same starters help the backups get to the level where they can come in to the game and be competent. These things cant be taken for granted as they don't "just happen". It is on purpose and those assistants are doing a great job with the Gophers.
That leads me to think of the Gophers. I am so thankful for the coaching that Jay Sawvel provides for the DBs in technique. Not only do they do a great job back there as individuals but communicate well as a group. And with the depth provided, you can tell they recruit well, not just athletically, but guys that understand the importance to help each other out. I think developing 'players that help with coaching' can sometimes be an even better gift for the program than just being a good coach to the individual players.. It perpetuates success from older player to younger.
Offensive line is all about the technique.. Bench press, 40 yard dash times, squat amounts are fine in determining the type of athlete but not as important as the technique and mental part of the game.These guys have a ton of things swimming in their head. All that while big and fast guys across the ball are trying to make them look bad in a very short distance and period of time. Technique is extremely important.. There is a learning process of young guys who have probably been good enough athletically in high school with getting away with bad technique and still succeeding. When they struggle early in their careers, I am sure a lot of guys attitudes are "the heck with this, I am doing what I did in high school".. Only to be met with more failure until they trust the coaches. Limegrover has done a good job developing depth and once again, that means not only getting guys to be good as starters but placing importance that those same starters help the backups get to the level where they can come in to the game and be competent. These things cant be taken for granted as they don't "just happen". It is on purpose and those assistants are doing a great job with the Gophers.
