Most of us saw this coming. In 2017 Chad Kanugh was our only returning starter on the O-Line and the offense generally struggled in scrimmages in the spring and August camps.
It was hoped that the inexperienced offensive line would improve as the season progessed and it probably did but our final 3 games were all against playoff teams (WIU, SDSU and NDSU- national champion) and despite a determined effort in South Dakota we lost all 3 contests.
The good news is that we touched bottom at some point in 2017. With the players we have returning and the young players we have coming up behind them the O-Line is on an upward trajectory for years to come.
I'm a big fan of the left side. Rients went down to injury in the middle of the season and Mikkelson quietly took over at left guard. Rients wasn't bad but I think Mikkelson looked a little better and I don't see him giving the position back. Himmelman's progression at LT is on target. I admit I wasn't optimistic about this one. The idea was to take a 6'9 basketball player and add about 70 lbs to his 230lb frame and hope that he is still agile enough to block the left edge. It's working. Himmelman is around 300 lbs. and he's getting better and better. I really started to believe in Himmelman as I watched him at the Missouri State game. Yeah I know, Himmelman was injured and didn't play at Mo. St. but he did make the trip and I liked that he didn't treat it as a day off. He was intently watching the action seeing if there was anything he could learn by observing someone else play his position (Anderson). Himmelman has put in the work to transform his body and should continue to do so meanwhile Mikkelson has already battled back from a bad back injury (is there a good one?). Very few players come out of HS ready to play a D-I O-Line position. It takes at least one or two years of work in the weight room and practice. Himmelman and Mikkelson "get that" and they have paid their dues. You have to have the requisite physical outline to start with but beyond that you have to have the heart and desire to be really good. Himmelman and Mikkelson appear to have those traits so I'm sold on their ability to man the left side.
The right side can now boast size and experience. Kanugh 6'6 310 has started for a season and a half at RG. O'Day 6'6 305 started last season at RT. O'Day came over from defense so as a recent convert to the OL he should still have some upside to explore.
That's a solid foursome that doesn't include former starter Rients and FBS transfer Megginson, a former Big 10 starter. Where Megginson will line up is an interesting question. He can play both guard and tackle positions. My guess is that he will try to unseat O'Day at RT but that could go either way. No matter who wins out that gives us 6 good O-Linemen for 4 positions and that doesn't even include several big young bucks on the rise. Georgie, Day (yes there is a Day and an O' Day) Ridgeway (the 318lb dunking machine) and MORE. More is in caps because NOBODY really knows who is going to develop. I'll say this again and it may not be the last time. NFL'ers Cam Lee and Cameron Meredith both arrived at Illinois State as walk-ons.
We still have one position to go. CENTER. Last year Dean Helt won a 3-way battle for the job but he also battled injuries throughout the season. That's a shame because I was amazed when I looked back at how much better the offense performed when Helt was in the lineup. The center often has to get out and block the middle linebacker and that's a key block to determine whether a running play goes anywhere or not. We've been spoiled. Spelman was an outstanding 2nd level blocker and Helt was also highly effective. When Helt was out the lineup the blocking wasn't as good and we had trouble with some snaps. I'm bubbling over with enthusiasm for the '18 O-Line but it could all dry up in a hurry if we don't find the right guy at center. Hirsch will likely start the Spring as the #1 Center. As I said in another post I've learned my lesson. Players get better. Hirsch didn't have a good year in '17 but he was only a RS-freshman. He gained a lot of valuble experience and he could come back greatly improved. I also expect him to be challenged. Who else can play center? Bones? Ames? If a young O-Linemen is looking to break through this may be his best chance. There's a lot riding on this. The O-Line could be greatly improved but we have to get the Center position right.
Am I obsessing over one offensive line position? Maybe so. We have other holes to fill on offense. The WR position has major gaps. It's important to get that right too. We never really replaced '16 WR graduate Anthony Warrum and the '17 offense suffered because of it. I'm sometimes guilty of the Bill Parcells (former NY Giant Coach) approach to the WR position. "WR's are like Tic Tacs. You can pick one up at the checkout counter on your way out." I think we'll find the WR's we need and Jake Kolbe will have a good season but it all starts up front. We've got a great group of RB's. If we can open some holes for them then we can get good yardage on first down and everything starts to fall into place.
Yes I'm obsessed. Find an outstanding Center and we'll blow the lid off of this thing.
It was hoped that the inexperienced offensive line would improve as the season progessed and it probably did but our final 3 games were all against playoff teams (WIU, SDSU and NDSU- national champion) and despite a determined effort in South Dakota we lost all 3 contests.
The good news is that we touched bottom at some point in 2017. With the players we have returning and the young players we have coming up behind them the O-Line is on an upward trajectory for years to come.
I'm a big fan of the left side. Rients went down to injury in the middle of the season and Mikkelson quietly took over at left guard. Rients wasn't bad but I think Mikkelson looked a little better and I don't see him giving the position back. Himmelman's progression at LT is on target. I admit I wasn't optimistic about this one. The idea was to take a 6'9 basketball player and add about 70 lbs to his 230lb frame and hope that he is still agile enough to block the left edge. It's working. Himmelman is around 300 lbs. and he's getting better and better. I really started to believe in Himmelman as I watched him at the Missouri State game. Yeah I know, Himmelman was injured and didn't play at Mo. St. but he did make the trip and I liked that he didn't treat it as a day off. He was intently watching the action seeing if there was anything he could learn by observing someone else play his position (Anderson). Himmelman has put in the work to transform his body and should continue to do so meanwhile Mikkelson has already battled back from a bad back injury (is there a good one?). Very few players come out of HS ready to play a D-I O-Line position. It takes at least one or two years of work in the weight room and practice. Himmelman and Mikkelson "get that" and they have paid their dues. You have to have the requisite physical outline to start with but beyond that you have to have the heart and desire to be really good. Himmelman and Mikkelson appear to have those traits so I'm sold on their ability to man the left side.
The right side can now boast size and experience. Kanugh 6'6 310 has started for a season and a half at RG. O'Day 6'6 305 started last season at RT. O'Day came over from defense so as a recent convert to the OL he should still have some upside to explore.
That's a solid foursome that doesn't include former starter Rients and FBS transfer Megginson, a former Big 10 starter. Where Megginson will line up is an interesting question. He can play both guard and tackle positions. My guess is that he will try to unseat O'Day at RT but that could go either way. No matter who wins out that gives us 6 good O-Linemen for 4 positions and that doesn't even include several big young bucks on the rise. Georgie, Day (yes there is a Day and an O' Day) Ridgeway (the 318lb dunking machine) and MORE. More is in caps because NOBODY really knows who is going to develop. I'll say this again and it may not be the last time. NFL'ers Cam Lee and Cameron Meredith both arrived at Illinois State as walk-ons.
We still have one position to go. CENTER. Last year Dean Helt won a 3-way battle for the job but he also battled injuries throughout the season. That's a shame because I was amazed when I looked back at how much better the offense performed when Helt was in the lineup. The center often has to get out and block the middle linebacker and that's a key block to determine whether a running play goes anywhere or not. We've been spoiled. Spelman was an outstanding 2nd level blocker and Helt was also highly effective. When Helt was out the lineup the blocking wasn't as good and we had trouble with some snaps. I'm bubbling over with enthusiasm for the '18 O-Line but it could all dry up in a hurry if we don't find the right guy at center. Hirsch will likely start the Spring as the #1 Center. As I said in another post I've learned my lesson. Players get better. Hirsch didn't have a good year in '17 but he was only a RS-freshman. He gained a lot of valuble experience and he could come back greatly improved. I also expect him to be challenged. Who else can play center? Bones? Ames? If a young O-Linemen is looking to break through this may be his best chance. There's a lot riding on this. The O-Line could be greatly improved but we have to get the Center position right.
Am I obsessing over one offensive line position? Maybe so. We have other holes to fill on offense. The WR position has major gaps. It's important to get that right too. We never really replaced '16 WR graduate Anthony Warrum and the '17 offense suffered because of it. I'm sometimes guilty of the Bill Parcells (former NY Giant Coach) approach to the WR position. "WR's are like Tic Tacs. You can pick one up at the checkout counter on your way out." I think we'll find the WR's we need and Jake Kolbe will have a good season but it all starts up front. We've got a great group of RB's. If we can open some holes for them then we can get good yardage on first down and everything starts to fall into place.
Yes I'm obsessed. Find an outstanding Center and we'll blow the lid off of this thing.
