2008 Offensive Line Outlook: Coping w Disaster

by Nestor on Jul 17, 2008 4:00 AM PDT in Football Comment 12 comments

With less than a month left till opening of the fall camp, we thought this would be a good time to go through our team’s tentative depth chart, the coaches set following spring football. In the past years we went through this exercise at least a week after the beginning of fall camp. However, the situation around our football program is a little different this year with a brand new coaching staff. So we thought it would be good to see what the coaches are working with following five years of Karl Dorrell.

And we will start with the possibly the most vulnerable aspect of our football team – the offense – and zero in on the biggest question mark by zeroing on the offensive line.

Here is a look at the current depth chart heading into Fall Camp:

LT	LG	C	RG	RT
73 Micah Kia (6-6, 298, Jr.)(8)	77 Darius Savage (6-4, 338, So.**)	58 Micah Reed (6-4, 316, Sr.**) (8 at OG)	66 Scott Glicksburg (6-4, 269, Sr.**)(1 at TE)	72 Sean Sheller,6-5, 282, So.**)
69 Brandon Bennett (6-4, 319, So.**)	55 Sonny Tevaga (6-3, 337, So.**)	57 Jake Dean (6-4, 286, So.**)	75 Nick Ekbatani (6-4, 290, Jr.**)	65 Mike Harris (6-5, 311, Fr.**)
	50 Aaron Meyer (6-1, 296, Sr.**)	53 Adam Heater (6-6, 246, Jr.**)	61 Andy Keane (6-2, 284, So.**)	89 Nate Chandler (6-6, 273, Fr.)+

() indicates number of games started in 07
** indicates utilized redshirt year
+ As noted by report in the Daily News

There is no way to sugar coat the situation above. To say that Neuheisel, Chow and Palcic will have a challenge in their hands based on the offensive live, would be the understatement of the year.

The first thing that stands out is the lack of experience. Among the current group of starters only Micah Kia has starting experience at the same position from last year. Reed started 8 games last year but that was as a guard. As for Glicksburg, again the number 269 next to him is not a typo. He is a converted TE and it will be interesting to see whether he was able to fill out his frame when he checks in during Fall camp.

We have all heard about Sean Sheller. The most devastating part of his injury was that coaches were counting on him to fill in for Aleksey Lanis. Lanis had to retire from the team during spring due to injury related issues ending a promising football career at UCLA. Then Sheller’s injury hit, effectively leaving us with Mike Harris, a freshman without any experience.

Consider the situation. Of all the places the already thin OL had to take a hit, it came on the right, the blind side of Ben Olson.

Perhaps for those who are looking for silver lining, might want to argue that the fact that this unit doesn’t have a lot of "experience" might not be such a bad thing given the woeful performance of the offensive unit this past two seasons. Let’s take a quick look at two key stats measuring the offensive line from the past season.

Last year, the Bruin OL was atrocious in terms of protecting QBs. We don’t need to repeat how our QBs kept going down. In terms of stats, UCLA allowed 36 sacks in 13 games, tying Oregon State as the 3rd worst team in the conference in that department. [See 2007-08 Pac-10 statistics]. Also the running game was just above average as the Bruins finished 6th in the Pac-10 conference averaging 151 yards per game (3.7 yards per carry). Bruins’ performance in both categories regressed from the 06-07 season, although that wasn’t a surprise to anyone here on BN, since we had raised the alarm bells re Bob Connelly.

So what to expect this year under a new OL coach Bob Palcic. His recent record at Wisconsin was a bit mixed. Wisconsin Badgers were among the Big-10 leaders last two years in the rushing department (4th in 06-07 and 2nd in 07-08). However, at the same time they also gave up an alarming number of sacks (10th in 06-07 and 07-08). [See Big-10 stats from 06-07 and 07-08]. For the sake of Olson and others, we sure hope that trend doesn’t continue for Palcic in Westwood this coming season. The long time Bruin fans know what Palcic did during his last stint at UCLA with the OL anchored by Jonathan Ogden, Vaughn Parker back during 1993-94 season.

I am guessing this year with this offensive line we are going to see Bell, Ramirez and co. trying to run on the backs of Kia and Savage. In terms of experience as mentioned above Kia is the leader of this team. He has the tools to emerge as a great Pac-10 lineman, while Savage at 6-4 338 is an athletic specimen. Those two guys will be leading the OL charge.

We have huge questions at center and the right side of the line. At center hopefully Reed will emerge as a serviceable option. His starting experience came as a guard. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to his new position and develop his timing not just with Olson and other QBs (I will post my notes on them tomorrow BTW). Behind Reed there is not much depth at center. Unfortunately it sounds like Dean is hurting. Adam Heater I believe is another converted TE. YIKES.

Then there are the questions about the right side. I wrote about Glicksburg being a converted TE and Sheller's injury above. Right now let’s keep our fingers crossed that Donovan Edwards take cares of his academic goals this summer. So far reports indicate that he is on track to qualify (knocking on wood) this summer and that he will get a shot at RT. Palcic is also moving around folks around to bolster the right side. As Dohn noted this week already reds hirt freshman TE - Nate Chandler - who was listed at 6-6, 273 has been moved to OL with the expectation that he will be competing for a spot at RT. We will how that experiment goes. norcald503 expressed his concern about it:

For NC to go to Chandler rather than any of these other guy indicates to me that NC doesn’t think much of our OL depth and that we might be in a more dire situation that our depth chart would indicate.

I had hoped these guys would develop under Palcic and help us avoid major line issues down the line, but if NC isn’t sold on them and is turning to a converted TE, that makes me real worried about what happens when the current crop of starting linemen with experience (such as Kia and Reed) are gone.

I guess I am willing to be open minded about this. I saw this move as Chow being more excited about the option Chandler can possible present due to his athleticism than him not having confidence in other guys in the chart. Chandler is supposed to beast. If he emerges as a very athletic RT, who knows we can look out for that ole "tackle eligible"? Anyway, I will also not be surprised to see more movement around OL this Fall to create competition with Harris, Chandler and Edwards. Let's see how this all plays out.

From my understanding of the situation the two incoming freshmen – Jeff Baca and Connor Bradford – might not be ready to contribute this coming season because they will need to bulk up. If anyone has information indicating that situation might have changed, please let us know in the comment section. Palcic will also have two additional options in Kai Maiva and Brett Downey. Maiva, the CU FB transfer was a highly recruited C out of high school and reportedly had regained his weight and back up to 300+ lbs. Brett Downey was reportedly a 6-7, 265 lb offensive tackle who may turn out to be a serviceable option.

After all is said and done Palcic might be able to put together a patchwork OL following a productive Fall Camp. However, we need to keep a realistic perspective given the kind of situation he inherited from the previous regime. Also don’t forget that Palcic will be the 4th offensive line coach for lot of these kids for the fourth consecutive season (which is layered upon the fact that they are also being led by 4th different OC in as many seasons). So now you know why were serving up all those doses of reality posts heading into this Fall Camp.

In any event, I think what I believe we can hope and expect from this staff is to put together a unit that will fight and scrap coming out of the gate. I am certainly not expecting miracles in next two years given the status of our OL depth chart. However, despite the challenges I think we are going to see a team that will play with a sense of purpose and determination that has been missing from the previous UCLA teams.

GO BRUINS.

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Ahh, I had not accounted for Maiva and Downey

These two guys coming in changes the three-year OL outlook I had posted earlier.

Now, with these two guys in mind, our situation looks as follows:

OFFENSIVE LINE
‘08-’09 (17 total scholarship players):

LT: Micah Kia (JR)
LG: Darius Savage (RS SO)
C: Micah Reed (RS SR)
RG: Scott Glicksberg (RS SR)
RT: Mike Harris (RS FR)

Reserves: Brandon Bennett, LT (RS SO); Sonny Tevaga, LG (RS SO); Aaron Meyer, LG (RS SR); Jake Dean, C (RS SO); Adam Heater, C (RS JR); Nick Ekbatani, RG (RS JR); Andy Keane, RG (RS SO); Sean Sheller (RS SO – Out for Season); Nate Chandler, RT (RS FR)

Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: Donovan Edwards, OT (JR, JC Transfer – 1 star by Scout); Kai Maiava, C (SO, CU Transfer – 2 stars, #29 by Scout – C/O ‘07); Connor Bradford, OT (3 stars, #81 by Scout); Jeff Baca, OG (3 stars, #36 by Scout); Brett Downey, OT (NR by Scout or Rivals)

Notes: Sean Sheller was projected to be the starting RT but is out for the season with a knee injury. Darius Savage has switched from the defensive line to the offensive line. Scott Glicksberg has switched from TE to the offensive line. Micah Reed has switched from RG to C this season. Adam Heater has switched from TE to the offensive line. Sonny Tevaga is the younger brother of former pre-season All-American OG Shannon Tevaga. Maiava is a transfer from Colorado, converted to FB during his one year stint with the Buffalos, supposedly regained his weight to convert back to OL, will have to sit out one year per NCAA transfer rules. Chandler is a converted TE.

‘09-’10 (15 total scholarship players)

LT: Kia (SR)
LG: Savage (RS JR)
C: Dean (RS JR)
RG: Ekbatani (RS SR)
RT: Sheller (RS JR)

Reserves: Bennett, LT (RS JR); Tevaga, LG (RS JR); Heater, C (RS SR); Keane, RG (RS JR); Edwards, OT (RS JR or SR); Bradford, OT (RS FR or SO); Baca, OG (RS FR or SO); Maiava, C/OL (RS SO); Chandler, RT (RS FR); Downey, OT (RS FR or SO)

Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: Greg Capella, OG (3 stars, #28 by Scout)

Notes: Starting positions along the line are in flux going into next season; expect Kia and Sheller to book-end the offensive line.

‘10-’11 (10 scholarship players):

LT: Bradford (RS SO or JR)
LG: Savage (RS SR)
C: Dean (RS SR)
RG: Baca (RS SO or JR)/Tevaga (RS SR)
RT: Sheller (RS SR)

Reserves: Bennett, LT (RS SR); Tevaga, LG (RS SR)/Baca, OG (RS SO or JR); Keane, RG (RS SR); Edwards, OT (RS SR if uses RS); Capella, OG (RS FR or SO); Chandler, RT (RS JR); Downey, OT (RS SO or JR); Maiava, C/OL (RS JR)

Notes: LT, RG, and RT should all be wide open, with Bradford, Chandler, Maiava, Edwards, Baca, Keane, and Tevaga all competing to start.

Obviously, having these two other guys helps and I hope Palcic can develop them into solid OL talent; that said, neither guy (Maiava or Downey) was/is highly touted coming out of HS.

As for the Chandler move, I think it does give us a more athletic option at RT, but for us to have to make such a move, I think, indicates a couple of things:

(1) CRN, NC, and Palcic see the OL problem as clearly as we all do and are taking aggressive steps to address it.

(2) Converting so many TEs (Glicksburg, Heater, and Chandler) may indicate that our staff isn’t sold on the other OL guys on the depth chart.

As for the first point, I think it’s great that the staff is taking aggressive action to right the ship. That’s the kind of hands-on, smart management that this program has been lacking during the Reign of Error. As for the second, Nestor, I’m just a bit more of a pessimist than you (perhaps it’s b/c of the proximity of the bar exam). While I hope you’re right, given the lack of elite talent and our prior track record with our OL, I’m going to be a bit reserved until these guys get a bit of experience under their belt and get used to NC’s system.

So while I’m a bit down on this year’s OL, I think the quality of the guys we do have will show marked improvement by the end of this season and, going into next year, I think the guys on the line will be much improved (what a difference having real coaching makes)

All-in-all, we have the raw numbers, but the question remains whether these guys have the talent and skill to get the job done, at least this season. I think the quality of our coaching staff will show itself at the end of this season and next season, where, hopefully, we’ll see huge improvement in our OL.

By the way, N, I love the depth chart you put together above. Much more information than I had before and much clearer for the visual-learning oriented. Looking forward to your offerings on the rest of the team.

by norcald503 on Jul 17, 2008 7:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Same frequency

norcal – I think we are mostly in the same frequency. I do think given the facts we are dealing with, there is merit to to your points about Chow et al. being worried about OL. As far as pessimism is concerned, you know my expectations for this season (and lot of that has to do with the state of our OL). I guess around this time of year I start getting optimistic. But this year there are lot of signs out there that should lead Bruin fans to have the same pragmatic perspective you have over this season (and we are pretty much in agreement there).

by Nestor on Jul 18, 2008 6:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

The difference between our outlook on the OL is pretty slight. We’re definitely splitting hairs. I think we’d be hard pressed to find someone who (1) believes our OL will open up holes large enough for trucks to drive through against U$C or (2) is dead-set that this line will more men through than a whorehouse.

There’s definitely room for optimism with Chow calling the shots, and on the flip side, given the lack of talent and depth, there’s reason for concern.

The real key though to our blocking this season, I think, won’t be our OL. It’s going to be Paulsen and Theriot and their ability to pick up the blitz.

by norcald503 on Jul 18, 2008 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good write-up, and consistent with Athlon

Here’s what they wrote on the O-line:

Offensive linemen
Yikes, yikes and yikes. Bob Palcic, UCLA’s offensive line coach who came from Wisconsin, will earn his money, because the Bruins have only two offensive linemen — center Micah Reed and left tackle Micah Kia — who played a snap on the offensive line last season. And Reed, who was a walk-on until the fall, played guard a year ago. It didn’t help when starting right tackle Aleksey Lanis retired because of chronic knee problems, giving sophomore Sean Sheller the starting spot. What is the depth like? Starting left guard Darius Savage was a defensive tackle until midway through 2007, and starting senior right guard Scott Glicksberg is on his third position — going from defensive line to tight end before making the switch to guard. As for the second-team offensive line? No member played a snap of college football last season. Not even on special teams.

Here’s the link for the whole preview:

http://www.athlonsports.com/si/2008-ucla-bruins-preview

by bornagainbruin on Jul 17, 2008 7:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What about Skaggs?

I haven’t really heard any suggestions of converting him back to the O-Line (a position he played extensively in high school and was recruited for). He’s listed at 6-4, 294 and has experience playing the O-line for special teams last year. On the spring depth chart, he’s a 4th-string DT behind Price, Ward and Miller. With our razor thin depth at O-line, wouldn’t it help to try him out at the OT slot? At this point, I favor sheer size to protect the QB especially on passing downs. I’m sure Coaches Palcic and Chow know what their doing, but I would feel more comfortable having a 290+ big holding down the right side versus a 270+ converted TE who has never played the position. As norcald503 pointed out, the converted TE’s do present a more athletic option on that side, so I’m sure the O-coaches have something up their sleeves.

Regardless of who will get PT on the right side, I expect our opponents to pick on that side all season with blitzes and speed rushes.

by Kerckhoff405 on Jul 17, 2008 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You're 100% on the money

I think any DC worth his salt will realize the right side of our line is the weakest point (since Kia at LT has prior starting experience and we’ll be using either a RS FR, a JUCO transfer, or a converted TE at RT) and, given Olson is left-handed and that’ll be the blind-side rush, will blitz and attack the right side of our line all day long.

But, fortunately, we have NC on our side. Last year Training Jay and Doofus would have sat by and watched the sacks build up, the QB stagger off the field, the back-up go in, get sacked time and time again, stagger off the field, etc.

This year, I expect NC will leave Paulsen and Theriot in to pick up blocking from the right side to, hopefully, give Olson some precious time back there.

Yes, our OL is weak, but it does help our blocking schemes that we have a very good, very experienced pair of guys (Paulsen and Theriot) on the field who know how to pick up a blitz. That’s something we really haven’t discussed, but it does bear mentioning.

by norcald503 on Jul 17, 2008 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OC difference

The step up in caliber at offensive coordinator is a given – but how that translates to game-time, I agree, hasn’t been discussed much here.

I suspect our new OC will be able to assess what the defense is doing, and how his offense should attack and exploit those defensive schemes. Plays will be sent in, and the players will be asked to execute. I understand this as a major departure from last year, when the players we charged with reading the defense and making the adjustments.

by haywood nighttrain on Jul 18, 2008 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It pains me to criticize the kids ...

but I have to say I can’t remember a time when UCLA had less on the offensive line.

In fairness, some of the guys have not had a chance yet, maybe they’ll step up and surprise.

So, let’s say that I can never remember a time when there were so many question marks along the line. Never. There isn’t one guy on Nestor’s three deep who you can say “we can really count on so and so.”

It’s not like we can say “Well, we’ll just run everything behind so and so and so and so on the left/right.” There is no obvious strong point. You can’t even say “we’re good if no one gets hurt because we have no depth” because that would be giving too much credit to the starters.

Losing Lanis and Sheller was devastating. Edwards isn’t even a sure thing, but yet he’s crucial The only thing this group has going for it is that it’s relatively young. I only see two seniors. So, maybe with experience they’ll be better down the line.

Making thins worse, our best qb is injury prone.

The pressure is really on the staff to do creative things so that this apparent weakness gets masked.

Go Bruins

by Achilles on Jul 17, 2008 2:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lanis/Sheller

No doubt … devastating losses.

I was so excited to see Lanis develop under Palcic’s coaching. What a bummer.

by Nestor on Jul 18, 2008 6:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll see an offense similar to what we've seen the last 5 years

Not in production, but in terms of types of plays called. Once again our offense will not be able to stretch the field because our offensive line won’t give our receivers time to get down field. A lot of our offense will depend on YAC after horizontal routes. The one thing I notice about our OL though is they’re on the smaller side so we may have success with draws, tosses and especially screens.

by ryebreadraz on Jul 17, 2008 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Reed

I know N you have Micah Reed as one of the bigger question marks, because like Ach said everyone is up in the air. Anywho, after watching this guy bust his butt the past four years I know Reed will come out and be the leader of this unit. He has the tools to be great and up until last year was a center. He has the work ethic to get these guys motivated. So keep your eye on this guy.

Another point that needs to be brought up is NC, unlike the doofus, will adjust his play calling and mold it to this unit so we can move the football. If they can be proactive about moving players around then they ain’t gonna drop back in the pocket and throw the deep ball.

by beeru on Jul 17, 2008 9:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs