Far be it from me to get in the middle of this pissing match, but could it possibly be a combination of things like many of us said all of last season? Scheme not fitting the players on the roster (but bound and determined to "develop an identity"). Guys forced to play out of position due to lack of overall talent on the OL? Catalina simply didn't play at the level of an SEC caliber *starting LT* in 2016. No matter how many times you state that he made an NFL roster, it doesn't change his production from last season. The fact remains though, that he was (in the opinion of the coaches), our best option at LT last season.

As to this year's line, Wynn put on an extra ~20 lbs in the offseason and spent it training to try and win the LT job. He's not perfect there, his future still is likely at G, but rather than have a freshman LT protecting a TFr or RFr's blindspot, I imagine that Smart, Chaney, and Pittman like the presence of the more experienced player in that spot.

This post was edited on 9/11/17 at 10:16 am

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Posted by wizatlanta

Cumming, GA

Member since Jan 2014

335 posts

Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:16 am to meansonny

Actually, with the exception of freshman Thomas (71), the line looks quite servicable. Thomas made lots of mistakes and missed inside rushes killed him and allowed ND to make lots of tackles in the backfield.

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Posted by RD Dawg

Atlanta

Member since Sep 2012

27297 posts

Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:20 am to meansonny

Not a screen pass.It was on the ND 9 yard line

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Posted by Crowknowsbest

Member since May 2012

25876 posts

Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:33 am to wizatlanta

quote:
Actually, with the exception of freshman Thomas (71), the line looks quite servicable. Thomas made lots of mistakes and missed inside rushes killed him and allowed ND to make lots of tackles in the backfield.

I actually thought Thomas played pretty well.

The line as a whole played decent, I thought. Good enough to win with, anyway. We need to get better QB play, which I expect we will with either Eason or Fromm as the season goes on.

ETA: Wims and Godwin making plays down the field is a massive development. Even Hardman on that drop showed the ability to get behind a talented defense.

This post was edited on 9/11/17 at 10:34 am

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Posted by DawgsLife

Member since Jun 2013

58913 posts

Posted on 9/11/17 at 10:42 am to Crowknowsbest

quote:
The line as a whole played decent, I thought. Good enough to win with, anyway. We need to get better QB play, which I expect we will with either Eason or Fromm as the season goes on.

I'm glad you said this, and not me. Fromm did ok Saturday, but made a ton of mistakes. (About what you would expect from a true freshman QB in a huge road game) He will be good. Very good, I think, but some on here seem to think he is playing like a seasoned veteran ready to leave and go to the NFL. He has a long way to go, but he does look good for a true freshman.

We did drop a couple of passes, but overall I am very happy with our receivers, too. The team looks much better than last year, but it's hard to tell if that is because of the competition or we have improved.

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Posted by meansonny

ATL

Member since Sep 2012

25594 posts

Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:13 am to RD Dawg

quote:
Not a screen pass.It was on the ND 9 yard line

Thanks for the correction. Alcohol and football are a great mix. But they don't help the memory.

I do remember a screen pass that was incomplete, and there were 3 or 4 defenders there to hurt the play even if the back caught the ball. That might have been holy field or swift, though.

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Posted by DawgsLife

Member since Jun 2013

58913 posts

Posted on 9/11/17 at 11:20 am to meansonny

Speaking of Hoylfield....I was very impressed with his return on the kickoff. That caught me off guard. I was surprised they didn't let him return more.

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Posted by nuwaydawg

Member since Nov 2007

1923 posts

Posted on 9/11/17 at 12:12 pm to DawgsLife