Offensive Review: What is Up with the Run Game?

Thanks RA.

Moving Birmingham inside is a great idea- then who plays left tackle? Let me rephrase. Who has the feet to play left tackle?

petrifiedagg said:

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Moving Birmingham inside is a great idea- then who plays left tackle? Let me rephrase. Who has the feet to play left tackle?

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The same guy who played about 70% of his snaps at left tackle in 2021 in Preston Wilson, he has pretty decent feet and can execute the cross step pretty well! He is about 15 pounds heavier than he was back then when he could get overmatched at times by the big physical defensive ends! That is my guess is that he moves outside and Birmingham goes back to the inside!!! We shall see!

Robert, I'm surprised you didn't mention that we're seeing a regular RB rotation like we've seen with the three QBs so far. Gordon plays more and does better when Gunnar is in the game (because we run more power). We almost never run it when Bowman is in there. Rangel works with Ollie too but we also see more Jaden Nixon (who isn't a true three-down back and never will be). It's plain as day.

FEED OLLIE THE BALL NO MATTER WHO IS QB.

We aren't fooling anybody by running the zone run/blocking plays early in the game and re-proving that it doesn't work. Let's go with the gap blocking scheme and add a fullback to start the game and get more game experience running what (at least what we say) we will run later in games that matter.

What you said pistolp.

Birmingham played 100% of snaps at LT from Game 2 through the Fiesta bowl. Bio says he played more snaps than anyone else on offense that season. Wilson did not play LT in 2021 at all. Maybe he played some at RT?

Moving Birmingham to G would definitely help inside. He's been forced to play out of position his entire career here. Maybe Springfield can return soon to give us another T. Neither T spots have been stellar. I wonder if the line added weight for the run game and it is hurting their speed? Has anyone seen weight charts from last few years?

MidTownPoke said:

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Robert, I'm surprised you didn't mention that we're seeing a regular RB rotation like we've seen with the three QBs so far. Gordon plays more and does better when Gunnar is in the game (because we run more power). We almost never run it when Bowman is in there. Rangel works with Ollie too but we also see more Jaden Nixon (who isn't a true three-down back and never will be). It's plain as day.

FEED OLLIE THE BALL NO MATTER WHO IS QB.

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I think the RB's have been on a series rotation where they each get one in sequence. Although we did have one time where Nixon came out on 3rd & short for Collins. I don't think they're matched to QB's its just the timing of OG's best series have been with GG in the game. I think Gordon is definitely the best, but all three are better options than we've had outside of RB1 for years.

And if you watch any of the BU-UU game you'd have seen Dom Richardson diving into the line still.

RA, isn't your son helping with the OL? This seems to be a major problem, at least my opinion over the last few years…what's being done? Technique is for sure an issue! No punch, no kick sliding, and no stunt pass offs

Kovboj said:

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Birmingham played 100% of snaps at LT from Game 2 through the Fiesta bowl. Bio says he played more snaps than anyone else on offense that season. Wilson did not play LT in 2021 at all. Maybe he played some at RT?

Moving Birmingham to G would definitely help inside. He's been forced to play out of position his entire career here. Maybe Springfield can return soon to give us another T. Neither T spots have been stellar. I wonder if the line added weight for the run game and it is hurting their speed? Has anyone seen weight charts from last few years?

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He is also coming of MAJOR KNEE SURGERY AND HIS MOBILITY JUST ISN'T THERE ANYMORE!!! Did you watch the last two games? He can't handle an edge rusher with any kind of speed or quickness, he needs to move inside! Wilson was part of the tackle rotation and spelled both Sills and Birmingham in 2021

Csquaredosu66 said:

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RA, isn't your son helping with the OL? This seems to be a major problem, at least my opinion over the last few years…what's being done? Technique is for sure an issue! No punch, no kick sliding, and no stunt pass offs

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He is has been the O line recruiting analyst since he as hired in January of 2022 and doesn't handle any on field Coaching, that is handled by Dickey and the two GAs!!! He is trying to clean up the mess left behind by Zac Crabtree!!!

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Csquaredosu66 said:

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RA, isn't your son helping with the OL? This seems to be a major problem, at least my opinion over the last few years…what's being done? Technique is for sure an issue! No punch, no kick sliding, and no stunt pass offs

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Joe Khatib said:

He is has been the O line recruiting analyst since he as hired in January of 2022 and doesn't handle any on field Coaching, that is handled by Dickey and the two GAs!!! He is trying to clean up the mess left behind by Zac Crabtree!!!

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Ok thanks, didn't fully understand his capacity there.

I'm ready for the 3 man QB rotation to end, if the oldest guy can't separate then you bench him and let the younger guys obtain the experience for the upside.

Dicky has been around what 5 years at least, time to place the blame appropriately.

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Kovboj said:

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Birmingham played 100% of snaps at LT from Game 2 through the Fiesta bowl. Bio says he played more snaps than anyone else on offense that season. Wilson did not play LT in 2021 at all. Maybe he played some at RT?

Moving Birmingham to G would definitely help inside. He's been forced to play out of position his entire career here. Maybe Springfield can return soon to give us another T. Neither T spots have been stellar. I wonder if the line added weight for the run game and it is hurting their speed? Has anyone seen weight charts from last few years?

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Joe Khatib said:

He is also coming of MAJOR KNEE SURGERY AND HIS MOBILITY JUST ISN'T THERE ANYMORE!!! Did you watch the last two games? He can't handle an edge rusher with any kind of speed or quickness, he needs to move inside! Wilson was part of the tackle rotation and spelled both Sills and Birmingham in 2021

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I don't believe that Wilson played for Birmingham in 2021 because he was playing the other Tackle; but your point is still valid, Wilson has played Tackle.

Wilson
2021 (Sophomore): A first team Academic All-Big 12 honoree for the second straight year ... Played in all 14 games and started eight times ... Started in each of the last seven games of the year at right tackle and started against Tulsa at right guard .

Birmingham
2021 (Sophomore): A second team Academic All-Big 12 honoree ... Started all 14 games, making him OSU's only offensive player who started every game of the season ... Started the season opener at right guard then moved to left tackle for the other 13 games ... Made a key fumble recovery vs. OU to prevent an OU touchdown ... The only offensive lineman credited by OSU's coaches with more than 1,000 plays on the season ... Also credited with 21 pancake blocks to tie Josh Sills for the team lead and with 38 knockdowns to rank second.

Clearly Birmingham is capable, and is likely showing lingering effects of being out injured last year, either physically not in shape yet, or psychological

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+ 1 more quotes (click to expand)

Kovboj said:

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Birmingham played 100% of snaps at LT from Game 2 through the Fiesta bowl. Bio says he played more snaps than anyone else on offense that season. Wilson did not play LT in 2021 at all. Maybe he played some at RT?

Moving Birmingham to G would definitely help inside. He's been forced to play out of position his entire career here. Maybe Springfield can return soon to give us another T. Neither T spots have been stellar. I wonder if the line added weight for the run game and it is hurting their speed? Has anyone seen weight charts from last few years?

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Joe Khatib said:

He is also coming of MAJOR KNEE SURGERY AND HIS MOBILITY JUST ISN'T THERE ANYMORE!!! Did you watch the last two games? He can't handle an edge rusher with any kind of speed or quickness, he needs to move inside! Wilson was part of the tackle rotation and spelled both Sills and Birmingham in 2021

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RodeoPoke said:

I don't believe that Wilson played for Birmingham in 2021 because he was playing the other Tackle; but your point is still valid, Wilson has played Tackle.

Wilson
2021 (Sophomore): A first team Academic All-Big 12 honoree for the second straight year ... Played in all 14 games and started eight times ... Started in each of the last seven games of the year at right tackle and started against Tulsa at right guard .

Birmingham
2021 (Sophomore): A second team Academic All-Big 12 honoree ... Started all 14 games, making him OSU's only offensive player who started every game of the season ... Started the season opener at right guard then moved to left tackle for the other 13 games ... Made a key fumble recovery vs. OU to prevent an OU touchdown ... The only offensive lineman credited by OSU's coaches with more than 1,000 plays on the season ... Also credited with 21 pancake blocks to tie Josh Sills for the team lead and with 38 knockdowns to rank second.

Clearly Birmingham is capable, and is likely showing lingering effects of being out injured last year, either physically not in shape yet, or psychological

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Yup, my bad, I meant to say right tackle but he also spelled Sills a couple of times at guard when he went out and did have the one start at guard!!! Right now he has the mobility that I just don't think Birmingham has because of the knee injury which makes him better at an inside spot because of his immense strength!!!