OL Shuffle

[RebelW]

What changes in personnel do you think we will see starting as our OL next year? Depending on what DK does makes a big difference. Then we would only have to replace Tretola and Smothers. Which more likely would be Malone or Josh Allen at the guard spot. They might be wanting Malone at tackle though. Then have Zack Rogers move in to center and Skipper and Ragnow stay where they are, or slide Ragnow over if Rogers isn't ready then maybe Malone at the RG spot.. Brian Wallace and Johnny Gibson have to be itching to get on the field!! Lol what are yalls 2 cents?
   WOO PIG!!

[WaltonCollege]

I think Kirk leaves and we plug Wallace in at LT, we have been grooming him there for 2 years now. Josh Allen is a bulldozer, got significant reps this year and should replace Tretola at LG. Rogers most likely at Center, maybe Ragnow if Rogers isn't ready. It will be interesting to see how many reps Merrick and Juco Malone get and if they can contribute. Malone will play Guard and should push Allen. Haven't heard much on the fro anyone know how his semester has progressed?

[Lake City Hog]

Seems like I heard that Kirkland was evaluated higher as a guard than as a tackle, but still not first 3 rounds high. My hope is that Kirkland comes back, slides to Tretola's spot and Wallace takes the LT spot.

     LT                    LG                     C                      RG                   RT
Wallace             Kirkland              Rogers              Ragnow            Skipper
Gibson         Merrick/Malone    ?Sone/Hannah?        Allen               Jackson

Anything wrong with this lineup? That still leaves Merrick/Malone, Harvey and another Juco if we could get one. Not sure that Sone or Hannah are ready to play, but if 1 of those guys could just spell Rogers 1 or 2 plays each quarter it would be great!

[RebelW]

I think we are in a lot better shape in the trenches than most people think

[onebadrubi]

I think if wallace and Kirkland are going to be next to each other it will be wallace at guard.  Another one of those getting the best players possible on the field, even if it isn't the right spot. I still think Kirkland at LT another year will only boost his draft stock.  He did good there this year and is an elite talent, he will only get better. 

I think our Oline success early depends on getting Kirkland back.  We really need him protecting the new QB's blindside.

I think we will see a rotation of Merrick, Allen, and wallace for 1 spot if Kirkland stays, 2 If Kirkland leaves.

[Lake City Hog]

Jeep, while I agree with you on part of your thoughts I just feel like if the NFL is trying to tell Kirkland that he is a guard then he should come back and play guard. That could really enhance his draft stock.
Plus, we might as well put Wallace out there since that will most likely be his position the following 2 years.

What would it be like if we managed to get Bolles???

[RebelW]

That's what I was wondering if we got Bolles, you would think we would have to move Kirkland undid if Bolles is ready like the coaches think he is

[Hogberry Snortcake]

Seems like I heard that Kirkland was evaluated higher as a guard than as a tackle, but still not first 3 rounds high. My hope is that Kirkland comes back, slides to Tretola's spot and Wallace takes the LT spot.

     LT                    LG                     C                      RG                   RT
Wallace             Kirkland              Rogers              Ragnow            Skipper
Gibson         Merrick/Malone    ?Sone/Hannah?        Allen               Jackson

Anything wrong with this lineup? That still leaves Merrick/Malone, Harvey and another Juco if we could get one. Not sure that Sone or Hannah are ready to play, but if 1 of those guys could just spell Rogers 1 or 2 plays each quarter it would be great!

That first set is a monster, but I think Ragnow would be the backup center if Rogers went down (if he's not the 1st center already, that is). 

[bigdaddyhawg]

Seems like I heard that Kirkland was evaluated higher as a guard than as a tackle, but still not first 3 rounds high. My hope is that Kirkland comes back, slides to Tretola's spot and Wallace takes the LT spot.

     LT                    LG                     C                      RG                   RT
Wallace             Kirkland              Rogers              Ragnow            Skipper
Gibson         Merrick/Malone    ?Sone/Hannah?        Allen               Jackson

Anything wrong with this lineup? That still leaves Merrick/Malone, Harvey and another Juco if we could get one. Not sure that Sone or Hannah are ready to play, but if 1 of those guys could just spell Rogers 1 or 2 plays each quarter it would be great!

I just don't see them moving DK back inside, not with him having a full year experience at LT last year.

[1Hog1/2Ham]

Before Pittman's departure he said Ragnow would be moved back to center for 2016. Don't know if that will still happen or not. I think it will.

[redleg]

If Kirkland comes back, which he should, and Arkansas can't get a Juco OT, the Line may look like this:
LT - Kirkland
LG - Malone or Allen or Merrick
C - Rogers
RG - Ragnow
RT - Skipper

If Arkansas CAN sign a Juco OT (Bolles or Pridgeon), Bielema may move Kirkland back inside to guard (which is where he will play in the NFL), or if Brian Wallace is FINALLY ready to start, the Line might look like this:
LT - Bolles or Pridgeon or Wallace
LG - Kirkland
C - Rogers
RG - Ragnow
RT - Skipper

Either way, the right side is solid and I think Zach Rogers is a lock at center. If Kirkland and Alex Collins both come back it would be a huge boon for the Hogs, and it would be a big help to the development of the new starting QB.

[Hoggish1]

Seems like I heard that Kirkland was evaluated higher as a guard than as a tackle, but still not first 3 rounds high. My hope is that Kirkland comes back, slides to Tretola's spot and Wallace takes the LT spot.

     LT                    LG                     C                      RG                   RT
Wallace             Kirkland              Rogers              Ragnow            Skipper
Gibson         Merrick/Malone    ?Sone/Hannah?        Allen               Jackson

Anything wrong with this lineup? That still leaves Merrick/Malone, Harvey and another Juco if we could get one. Not sure that Sone or Hannah are ready to play, but if 1 of those guys could just spell Rogers 1 or 2 plays each quarter it would be great!

I see this as the best O line in the SEC! It would get Kirk to the 2nd round or higer.

[WaltonCollege]

I think we are in a lot better shape in the trenches than most people think

I think we are in a lot worse shape than people think. If Kirkland leaves we have to replace 3 starters with freshman/sophomores who have minimal game experience. O Line depth is scary bad.

[hoghiker]

I think we are in a lot worse shape than people think. If Kirkland leaves we have to replace 3 starters with freshman/sophomores who have minimal game experience. O Line depth is scary bad.

Is this true?

[Lake City Hog]

I think that too many of you are selling Wallace waaaaay short. Allen and Merrick are pretty darned good too. I do agree that if Rogers struggles at all we would probably see Ragnow move back to center.

I just believe that moving Kirkland to guard helps him and the team. Being strong up the middle is huge for the run game and run blocking fits Kirkland like a glove.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Maybe we get Bolles.

[WaltonCollege]

I think that too many of you are selling Wallace waaaaay short. Allen and Merrick are pretty darned good too. I do agree that if Rogers struggles at all we would probably see Ragnow move back to center.

I just believe that moving Kirkland to guard helps him and the team. Being strong up the middle is huge for the run game and run blocking fits Kirkland like a glove.

See you say they're all good but we haven't ever really seen them play. The jury is still out. Maybe they are all-americans. But until I see them start in a game I'm going to assume they might have a couple struggles being they are freshman/sophomores

[dirtdobber]

LT - BOLLES
LG- SKIPPER
C- RAGNOW
RG- WALLACE
RT- KIRKLAND

If Kirkland comes back and we were to get Bolles, I would like to see Kirkland moved to RT.  This seems like a much more natural fit than LT.  We know he can play guard.  Plus, looking at lineman from CBB's past, he likes to move them around to different positions which shows off their versatility for NFL scouts.  Due to limited roster space, NFL teams love to see lineman who can play different positions in a pinch.  Just my two cents.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

See you say they're all good but we haven't ever really seen them play. The jury is still out. Maybe they are all-americans. But until I see them start in a game I'm going to assume they might have a couple struggles being they are freshman/sophomores

Very plausible. 

I think maybe, just maybe, there's a reason the staff has been targeting JUCO OT's for this class.  It could be that they aren't yet ready to trust who we currently have, and/or we simply don't have adequate depth at the position.  Or they've struck out on the HS kids they wanted.

[WaltonCollege]

Wallace said the staff recruited him as a Guard. maybe we get Bolles but there's also a high possibility we don't. Just looking at the glass half empty our O Line may be a work in progress all up until our first game

[thefisher]

Seems like I heard that Kirkland was evaluated higher as a guard than as a tackle

Heard that as well.  It would make sense to me that the only way Kirkland stays is if he is given the assurance he will be able to play the season at guard and develop his skill set there.  For most guys that would be a reasonable assumption if they were willing to stay for another year.

[Lake City Hog]

If I am Kirkland and the NFL grades me better as a guard and BB wants me to come back for my Sr. year, I would as a guard. This kid can help us at guard and still be helping himself.

I think trust may well be the issue and just maybe if we did show some trust some of these kids might show us something, just like BA did when they finally showed enough trust to turn him loose!

[gmarv]

is there no hope that koehlers light will ever come on

[LLPL]

I think we are in a lot worse shape than people think. If Kirkland leaves we have to replace 3 starters with freshman/sophomores who have minimal game experience. O Line depth is scary bad.

Never have we been in better shape to say "next" on the OL than we are now. These guys are very talented and built for the job. Most would have been starters at other SEC schools this year already.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Never have we been in better shape to say "next" on the OL than we are now. These guys are very talented and built for the job. Most would have been starters at other SEC schools this year already.

Then why are there so many offers out to JUCO OL recruits?  Is it that we simply whiffed on HS OL recruits?

[BR]

We have not 1, but 2 top secret JC Lineman coming in... I heard this from some Sunbelt or FCS guru on Twitter, so it has to be the truth.. 

[ricepig]

is there no hope that koehlers light will ever come on

He is/has graduated and I believe becoming a Police officer in NWA??

[tconey1]

I think we will be fine if the rankings on recruits is accurate.  If im not mistaken, Clemson replaced their whole line this year and they did fine. 

[gmarv]

He is/has graduated and I believe becoming a Police officer in NWA??

didn,t he come in the same class as skipper and Kirkland? i thought he was a redshirt soph.

[ricepig]

didn,t he come in the same class as skipper and Kirkland? i thought he was a redshirt soph.

Yes, he did. It's somewhere buried in here, lol. Bielema was the one who mentioned the police work.

[deedster84]

IF this is all we had and got no one else in. JMO. Don't beat me up.

LT Skipper. Got more penalties but got in their best rusher's head.
LG Kirkland. Natural guard. Can drive people. Wants that LT money though.
C Rogers. Natural center. Has the quickness to pull like BB uses centers. IF ankle is healthy.
RG. Ragnow. Watch him play when he gets mad. He did get eat up in MSU game tho.
RT. Wallace. Groomed to be great. Thought about switching with Skip but went with experience.

[onebadrubi]

Yes, he did. It's somewhere buried in here, lol. Bielema was the one who mentioned the police work.

Smart move by coach! grt a guy on the inside so no more trouble for our punter taking a piss in public.

[Arthur pigby sellers.]

is there no hope that koehlers light will ever come on

He is going to become a police officer and graduate early.  He won't ever play lineman for us. 
How good our line will be depends on if we get Boles and if Kirkland comes back.  If both of these things happen, it's possible they could be better than last year.  If we
Don't get Boles but Kirkland comes back we may be equal to last year.  If we lose both, then our whole offense will take a step back.  Hopefully our offense won't regress to the extent our defense did this year, but it's possible.  A new QB and a rebuilt line might make 6-6 our expectation. If Kirkland and Boles are on the line, I would not be surprised by a 9 win season. 

[scruf]

IF this is all we had and got no one else in. JMO. Don't beat me up.

LT Skipper. Got more penalties but got in their best rusher's head.
LG Kirkland. Natural guard. Can drive people. Wants that LT money though.
C Rogers. Natural center. Has the quickness to pull like BB uses centers. IF ankle is healthy.
RG. Ragnow. Watch him play when he gets mad. He did get eat up in MSU game tho.
RT. Wallace. Groomed to be great. Thought about switching with Skip but went with experience.

Finally a mention of Wallace at RT where he was on the depth chart all season.

[Country Stylz]

Assuming Kirkland leaves, my starting 5 would be

Wallace at LT
Merrick at LG
Ragnow at C
Gibson at RG
Skipper at RT

Would be a pretty hefty group.

Allen, Rodgers and the Juco providing depth. Also I'm assuming we don't get Bowles.

[WaltonCollege]

Assuming Kirkland leaves, my starting 5 would be

Wallace at LT
Merrick at LG
Ragnow at C
Gibson at RG
Skipper at RT

Would be a pretty hefty group.

Allen Rodgers and the Juco providing depth. Also I'm assuming we don't get Bowles.

Yeah I can see that. It will be interesting to watch the Center competition. Maybe Rogers will beat out Ragnow and he stays at guard. Did Gibson see the field this year?

[BenDial]

I'd be surprised if Skipper moves from the right side to the left side. Right tackle is the road grader tackle. That's his thing. He's also vulnerable to speed rushers, so I don't think the staff will be giddy about having him protect the blind side of the quarterback. I'll also be a little surprised if Kirkland isn't playing guard next year, whether it's in the NFL or for the Hogs.

[WaltonCollege]

I remember watching Merricks high school tape he picks up and throws people just like Kirkland. Another off season with Herb and Enos and he can definitely be a plug and play guy.

[onebadrubi]

I'd be surprised if Skipper moves from the right side to the left side. Right tackle is the road grader tackle. That's his thing. He's also vulnerable to speed rushers, so I don't think the staff will be giddy about having him protect the blind side of the quarterback. I'll also be a little surprised if Kirkland isn't playing guard next year, whether it's in the NFL or for the Hogs.

While I agree, I think you may see him at the LT some early while someone else gets some snaps at it.  I just don't like inexperience at both blindside positions with a new QB. 

[Country Stylz]

Yeah I can see that. It will be interesting to watch the Center competition. Maybe Rogers will beat out Ragnow and he stays at guard. Did Gibson see the field this year?

Gibson got a little PT at backup left tackle.

[BenDial]

While I agree, I think you may see him at the LT some early while someone else gets some snaps at it.  I just don't like inexperience at both blindside positions with a new QB.

I would rather the guy you plan to take the spot take his first significant snaps against LaTech, a retooling TCU, and Texas State than wait until we play Bama, Ole Miss, and at Auburn.

[onebadrubi]

I would rather the guy you plan to take the spot take his first significant snaps against LaTech, a retooling TCU, and Texas State than wait until we play Bama, Ole Miss, and at Auburn.

Give me skipper in first half of the rentawins.