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J.B. Grimes: Auburn offensive line ready to play like alpha dogs
Posted on 5/9/19 at 7:36 pm
Posted on 5/9/19 at 7:36 pm
Marcello
quote:
SCOTTSBORO, Alabama — J.B. Grimes is not going to blow smoke screens to hide what’s happening on the field and in the offensive line’s meeting room at Auburn.
He said it in May of 2018 when he knew he didn’t quite know who would be starters, and whether they were ready to play in the SEC, let alone in the season opener against top-10 Washington.
“I knew it was going to take a while,” the veteran offensive line coach said Thursday. “When we played Washington, I really didn’t know what we were going to get.”
quote:
Slowly and surely, however, the offensive line improved. The Tigers failed to produce a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time in a decade. Injuries at both guard spots, along with flipping and switching of Kaleb Kim and Nick Brahms as starters at center because of injuries didn’t help matters.
But then Kim got healthy, and five players started to click along the offensive line.
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“It actually took a little longer for me to get those guys playing as a cohesive unit, but around Game 7 we started playing pretty well and we had great carryover in the spring,” Grimes said before speaking to the Jackson County Auburn Club. “I thought those guys competed well and obviously every day we’re going against a very, very good defensive line — one of the best, if not the best, in the country. I’ll be honest with you: I felt like we held our own. We’ve gotten better.”
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Simply put, a year under Grimes has made a heck of a difference. All five starters return along the offensive line, with one player he believes could be a first-round selection (left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho Jr.) leading the group. Facing off against one of the better defensive lines in the country has proven to be difficult and the ultimate learning experience.
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“The biggest thing is the cohesiveness of the unit,” Grimes said. “We know we clearly have five starters right now and those guys take a lot of pride In knowing that. It’s clear and present. We know who the five starters are, and they take a lot of pride in the fact that, hey, we’re gonna line up, and guess what? We’re on scholarship, too. I know how it is out there when you have a bunch of alpha dogs on defense. They’re gonna try to go to the bathroom on every fire hydrant in town. The deal with me is, as far as being a line coach, you know what? We have some alpha dogs on our side of the ball, too, and we’re gonna play that way.”
Grimes believes three other players have a shot at making the NFL after the upcoming season: guard Marquel Harrell and Mike Horton, and right tackle Jack Driscoll.
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“Of course, from this time last year, it’s like night and day — and it should be,” Malzahn said. “They’re all back. Chemistry is extremely good. It really gave us a chance to be a lot more aggressive and do some different things and try some different things up front (in the spring).”
“I really like this offensive line, now,” Grimes said. “The guy that really kind of stepped forward in my mind, especially from a leadership standpoint and directing our offensive line and being vocal was Kaleb Kim. He stepped up and had a really good spring.”
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We’re settled in,” Grimes said. “We have anointed Kaleb Kim. He is the guy. And we’ve told him that. You know what, that probably helped his confidence, it helped his leadership, being vocal and directing us. I was really proud of him in the spring.”
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Auburn rushed for 100 yards or more in each of its last four games, the best stretch of the season. For a time, it seemed like Auburn was finally back in its run, play-action groove. Auburn rushed for only 167.5 yards per game, which ranked 10th in the SEC for the season. It was the worst average of Malzahn’s tenure as head coach.
The question now is whether Auburn can return to rushing for 250-plus yards per game, a staple under Malzahn. The Tigers have ranked in the top half of the league in every season but 2018 under Malzahn. They have led the SEC twice and the country once during that time, too.
Might Auburn be on track to return to the past? The schedule and opposing defensive lines will be difficult in the fall.
This post was edited on 5/9/19 at 7:46 pm
2
Posted on 5/9/19 at 7:41 pm to AUFan2015
You can criticize Grimes as a recruiter with just cause. But I don't know if there's a better OL coach at getting the most out of the talent he has.
Posted on 5/9/19 at 8:05 pm to BigBlueAU
Don’t tell this board that
Posted on 5/9/19 at 8:18 pm to Rig
To be fair, we need to wait and see still if he’s blowing smoke or if they’re actually that much better. OL recruiting will stabilize some if we can produce a good OL and a couple of draft picks.
I’m hopeful but not sold yet
I’m hopeful but not sold yet
Posted on 5/9/19 at 8:28 pm to AUFan2015
quote:
but around Game 7 we started playing pretty well
Yet in game 9 we put up 24 rushing yards
Posted on 5/9/19 at 8:40 pm to TheJones
How many times does he have to prove he can coach before this board believes it?
Posted on 5/9/19 at 8:52 pm to BigBlueAU
quote:
But I don't know if there's a better OL coach at getting the most out of the talent he has.
That's the problem though. He's only getting the best out of 2* and 3* talent. And what's even worse is, there's going to be hardly any of those after this year. It's time for Grimes to go.
Posted on 5/9/19 at 8:59 pm to TheJones
Agreed
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:05 pm to jvilletiger25
quote:So we'll only have 1* and walkons on our OL in 2020?
That's the problem though. He's only getting the best out of 2* and 3* talent. And what's even worse is, there's going to be hardly any of those after this year.
That sounds bad.
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:25 pm to TheJones
quote:
To be fair, we need to wait and see still if he’s blowing smoke or if they’re actually that much better.
Ever meet an old man that knows his shite and doesn't give the first shite about what you think about him? That's Pawpaw Jeff.
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:35 pm to HouseofWaffles
quote:
Ever meet an old man that knows his shite and doesn't give the first shite
Several post here, but go on...
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That's Pawpaw Jeff.
Did coach grimes touch you? This is a safe place. You don’t have to call him pawpaw
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:36 pm to FearlessFreep
Check how many Olinemen Auburn has signed the past couple of classes, and the quality of the ones that did. It's frightening
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:36 pm to TheJones
Go back to worrying about post numbers. I'm aware it was a shitty joke 
Posted on 5/9/19 at 9:39 pm to HouseofWaffles
quote:
Go back to worrying about post numbers.
Posted on 5/10/19 at 7:26 am to BigBlueAU
I learned the hard way that as long as Gus is the coach I don't believe shite anyone says until I see proof on the field, especially after the first 4 games. Jeremy Johnson says Hi!
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:02 am to Fear The Thumb
JJ looked like a stud in preseason. No one saw him melting under the lights like he did.
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:27 am to Rig
quote:One more time
How many times does he have to prove he can coach before this board believes it?
Posted on 5/10/19 at 10:15 am to Rig
quote:
How many times does he have to prove he can coach before this board believes it?
Every year. Just like any other coach or any other fricking job
Posted on 5/10/19 at 12:13 pm to Rig
quote:
How many times does he have to prove he can coach before this board believes it?
He did a great job developing Tega after the disaster Tega was the previous season. Bit Horton regressed under Grimes. The other guard was good. And center was shite most of the season.
Posted on 5/10/19 at 12:29 pm to CaptainBrannigan
Speaking of the OL, Troxell is now out for the season with a torn ACL
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