We need them to leave so we can free up money to sign Cam Coleman. We dont need better linemen we need more WRs who can get open quicker...
Im wanting to see the OL coach in the portal.
Years ago there was a famous coach who wanted his players to be "mobile, agile, and hostile".
We would need the Indiana OL coach to come with them.
Lordy, could not agree more! I believe it was OJ Simpson who said, “ Without a good offensive line, all running backs are the same. Lousy. “ Whatever OJ was, he was right about that.
Gonna have to get McVay out of the transfer portal.Recency bias made me forget how bad the 2021 offensive line was, but this one was in that discussion. This group was better at pass protection, but couldn't open holes for the backs. The 2021 group could at least get Brian Robinson downhill, but had Bryce Young running for his life all the time.
So what is the fix? Here was Coach Gemini's suggestions
Losing Kadyn Proctor (First Round Talent) and Parker Brailsford (The "Brain" of the line) in the same offseason is a "Code Red" scenario. You lose your best pass protector and your protection caller simultaneously.
If this happens, you cannot simply plug in backups and run the same "finesse/zone" scheme. You lack the experience to execute that complexity. Instead, you must pivot to a "Bigger, Meaner, Simpler" identity.
Here is the 3-Step "Fix" for the 2026 Offensive Line to regain the physical edge.
1. The "Youth to Power" Pivot (Internal Promotions)
The 2025 line was "technically sound" but lacked pure displacement power. The backups waiting in the wings for 2026 are actually bigger and more physical than the starters they are replacing.
- The New Anchor: Casey Poe (Center/Guard)
- The Move: You hand the keys to Casey Poe (top interior recruit from the 2024 class).
- Why: Brailsford was an elite technician (290 lbs). Poe is a mauler (315+ lbs). You lose some "check-with-me" processing speed at the line, but you gain a Center who can single-block a Nose Tackle. This immediately fixes your "3rd & 1" issue.
- The Move: Insert McVay into the starting lineup.
- Why: He is a massive human being (6'6", 350+ lbs). He is not the fluid dancer Proctor was, but he is a people-mover. In the run game, you run behind him.
2. The "Rent-a-Shield" Strategy (Transfer Portal)
You cannot trust a young player to protect the blind side in the SEC immediately. If Proctor leaves, you must use the Portal.
- The Target: You don't need a "project"; you need a 1-year mercenary Left Tackle.
- The Profile: Look for a graduating senior from a "lesser" Power 4 school (like a standout from the ACC or Big 12) who has 30+ career starts.
- The Goal: You need a "Tyler Steen" type (the transfer LT from Vanderbilt who started for Bama in 2022). He doesn't need to be an All-American; he just needs to not get the QB killed while the massive interior line (Poe/McVay) destroys people in the run game.
3. Schematic Adjustment: "Vertical Displacement"
With Brailsford and Proctor, you ran a lot of "Outside Zone" and lateral schemes because they moved well. With Poe and McVay (315 lbs and 350 lbs), lateral movement is not their game.
The Verdict: The 2026 line will be worse at pass protection (Proctor is irreplaceable) but significantly better at run blocking. You will transform from a "finesse" spread team back into a "bully" team, which actually fits the "imbed a potent rush attack" goal you had earlier.
- The Fix: Switch the base run concepts to "Duo" and "Counter" (Gap Schemes).
- Why: These plays don't require your linemen to run sideways. They require them to block down on the guy next to them and double-team him into the linebacker's lap.
- The Result: This simplifies the game for the new starters. They don't have to diagnose complex stunts; they just have to crush the guy in their gap.
Recency bias made me forget how bad the 2021 offensive line was, but this one was in that discussion. This group was better at pass protection, but couldn't open holes for the backs. The 2021 group could at least get Brian Robinson downhill, but had Bryce Young running for his life all the time.
So what is the fix? Here was Coach Gemini's suggestions
Losing Kadyn Proctor (First Round Talent) and Parker Brailsford (The "Brain" of the line) in the same offseason is a "Code Red" scenario. You lose your best pass protector and your protection caller simultaneously.
If this happens, you cannot simply plug in backups and run the same "finesse/zone" scheme. You lack the experience to execute that complexity. Instead, you must pivot to a "Bigger, Meaner, Simpler" identity.
Here is the 3-Step "Fix" for the 2026 Offensive Line to regain the physical edge.
1. The "Youth to Power" Pivot (Internal Promotions)
The 2025 line was "technically sound" but lacked pure displacement power. The backups waiting in the wings for 2026 are actually bigger and more physical than the starters they are replacing.
- The New Anchor: Casey Poe (Center/Guard)
- The Move: You hand the keys to Casey Poe (top interior recruit from the 2024 class).
- Why: Brailsford was an elite technician (290 lbs). Poe is a mauler (315+ lbs). You lose some "check-with-me" processing speed at the line, but you gain a Center who can single-block a Nose Tackle. This immediately fixes your "3rd & 1" issue.
- The Move: Insert McVay into the starting lineup.
- Why: He is a massive human being (6'6", 350+ lbs). He is not the fluid dancer Proctor was, but he is a people-mover. In the run game, you run behind him.
2. The "Rent-a-Shield" Strategy (Transfer Portal)
You cannot trust a young player to protect the blind side in the SEC immediately. If Proctor leaves, you must use the Portal.
- The Target: You don't need a "project"; you need a 1-year mercenary Left Tackle.
- The Profile: Look for a graduating senior from a "lesser" Power 4 school (like a standout from the ACC or Big 12) who has 30+ career starts.
- The Goal: You need a "Tyler Steen" type (the transfer LT from Vanderbilt who started for Bama in 2022). He doesn't need to be an All-American; he just needs to not get the QB killed while the massive interior line (Poe/McVay) destroys people in the run game.
3. Schematic Adjustment: "Vertical Displacement"
With Brailsford and Proctor, you ran a lot of "Outside Zone" and lateral schemes because they moved well. With Poe and McVay (315 lbs and 350 lbs), lateral movement is not their game.
The Verdict: The 2026 line will be worse at pass protection (Proctor is irreplaceable) but significantly better at run blocking. You will transform from a "finesse" spread team back into a "bully" team, which actually fits the "imbed a potent rush attack" goal you had earlier.
- The Fix: Switch the base run concepts to "Duo" and "Counter" (Gap Schemes).
- Why: These plays don't require your linemen to run sideways. They require them to block down on the guy next to them and double-team him into the linebacker's lap.
- The Result: This simplifies the game for the new starters. They don't have to diagnose complex stunts; they just have to crush the guy in their gap.
He lost me at, Procter is a fluid dancer.
I haven’t posted here in quite a while, but that was one of the most inaccurate posts/analysis I’ve seen in a long time!! Sheesh!
Coach Gemini
