Help Wanted - Interior Lineman

[MCY]

I know "just what we need, another thread" or "captain obvious", yada yada yada, let's focus on the real elephant in the room (besides our cocktail napkin sized playbook) - our lack of size, quickness and nastiness inside.

We see over and over again teams - like Wisconsin - beat the hell out of us, not because of some stud QB, RB or receiver, but because we just can't field a B1G team upfront on either side of the ball. I'm not talking about depth, which we obviously don't have, I'm talking about the 1st team guys. We got zero push on offense (our strategy appears to be to get in the way of the dline rather than push them around) and on D we got zero penetration (here our strategy appears to GET engaged with the opposing teams oline rather than to get around or through them). We see it week after week when we play real teams - our oline isn't moving anyone and our dline and, to a lesser extent, our LBs get manhandled. Thank goodness our dbs are, for the post part, good tacklers, but they are getting beat up and worn out and we are only half-way through the season.

We need to spend our limited NIL dollars on lineman. RBs are dime a dozen and WR are plentiful as well (yes it would be helpful if they caught the ball). In terms of QBs, find 2 of them per year playing 7 on 7 ball in bumf#@k Texas, Oklahoma, etc. and give them a chance to play in the B1G and let them play. If they don't perform on to the next guy, wash, rinse, repeat.

By the way, didn't we a few years ago bring in a ton of oline recruits who were supposed to be good? Where did they go or are they here and simply not B1G material?

 

[RUinPAC10land]

I know "just what we need, another thread" or "captain obvious", yada yada yada, let's focus on the real elephant in the room (besides our cocktail napkin sized playbook) - our lack of size, quickness and nastiness inside.

We see over and over again teams - like Wisconsin - beat the hell out of us, not because of some stud QB, RB or receiver, but because we just can't field a B1G team upfront on either side of the ball. I'm not talking about depth, which we obviously don't have, I'm talking about the 1st team guys. We got zero push on offense (our strategy appears to be to get in the way of the dline rather than push them around) and on D we got zero penetration (here our strategy appears to GET engaged with the opposing teams oline rather than to get around or through them). We see it week after week when we play real teams - our oline isn't moving anyone and our dline and, to a lesser extent, our LBs get manhandled. Thank goodness our dbs are, for the post part, good tacklers, but they are getting beat up and worn out and we are only half-way through the season.

We need to spend our limited NIL dollars on lineman. RBs are dime a dozen and WR are plentiful as well (yes it would be helpful if they caught the ball). In terms of QBs, find 2 of them per year playing 7 on 7 ball in bumf#@k Texas, Oklahoma, etc. and give them a chance to play in the B1G and let them play. If they don't perform on to the next guy, wash, rinse, repeat.

By the way, didn't we a few years ago bring in a ton of oline recruits who were supposed to be good? Where did they go or are they here and simply not B1G material?

My thoughts exactly...

We couldn’t get a yard

The most striking takeaway from today was the knowledge gained that, with a heisman candidate caliber running back and a seasoned team on a sun soaked pristine day in October we couldn’t gain 1 yard on Wisconsin. And not only could we not gain one yard, our coaching staff KNEW we couldn’t gain...

rutgers.forums.rivals.com

 

[shields]

The seven lineman? 2 or 3 medically retired like Jacob Allen.

 

[mdk01]

I know "just what we need, another thread" or "captain obvious", yada yada yada, let's focus on the real elephant in the room (besides our cocktail napkin sized playbook) - our lack of size, quickness and nastiness inside.

We see over and over again teams - like Wisconsin - beat the hell out of us, not because of some stud QB, RB or receiver, but because we just can't field a B1G team upfront on either side of the ball. I'm not talking about depth, which we obviously don't have, I'm talking about the 1st team guys. We got zero push on offense (our strategy appears to be to get in the way of the dline rather than push them around) and on D we got zero penetration (here our strategy appears to GET engaged with the opposing teams oline rather than to get around or through them). We see it week after week when we play real teams - our oline isn't moving anyone and our dline and, to a lesser extent, our LBs get manhandled. Thank goodness our dbs are, for the post part, good tacklers, but they are getting beat up and worn out and we are only half-way through the season.

We need to spend our limited NIL dollars on lineman. RBs are dime a dozen and WR are plentiful as well (yes it would be helpful if they caught the ball). In terms of QBs, find 2 of them per year playing 7 on 7 ball in bumf#@k Texas, Oklahoma, etc. and give them a chance to play in the B1G and let them play. If they don't perform on to the next guy, wash, rinse, repeat.

By the way, didn't we a few years ago bring in a ton of oline recruits who were supposed to be good? Where did they go or are they here and simply not B1G material?

The starting LBs are on the sidelines injured. Djabome has actually been a pleasant surprise.

 

[DJ Spanky]

By the way, didn't we a few years ago bring in a ton of oline recruits who were supposed to be good? Where did they go or are they here and simply not B1G material?

The seven lineman? 2 or 3 medically retired like Jacob Allen.

Here's the outcome of that class (2022):

Medically Retired
Jacob Allen - OT - 4 Star - medically retired
Joe De Croce - OT - 3 Star - medically retired
Nelson Monegro - OT - 3 Star - medically retired

Still With Rutgers
Kwabena Asamoah - IOL - 3 Star
Taj White - OT - 3 Star
Dantae Chin - IOL - 3 Star
Emir Stinette - IOL - 3 Star

Transferred 2023
Brad Harris - IOL (Don't even remember this guy - walkon perhaps?)

 

[shields]

Thank you Spanky. Allen was number 1 player in Jersey. That class killed us.

 

[RULoyal]

Here's the outcome of that class (2022):

Medically Retired
Jacob Allen - OT - 4 Star - medically retired
Joe De Croce - OT - 3 Star - medically retired
Nelson Monegro - OT - 3 Star - medically retired

Still With Rutgers
Kwabena Asamoah - IOL - 3 Star
Taj White - OT - 3 Star
Dantae Chin - IOL - 3 Star
Emir Stinette - IOL - 3 Star

Transferred 2023
Brad Harris - IOL (Don't even remember this guy - walkon perhaps?)

Did all the injuries of the medically retired occur after they committed to RU or were some existing issues we knew about prior to accepting their commitment and became worse?

 

[shields]

Or they didn't know. Or bad luck.

 

[mdk01]

Did all the injuries of the medically retired occur after they committed to RU or were some existing issues we knew about prior to accepting their commitment and became worse?

Allen after his commitment. Don't know about the rest

 

[ru-baby]

(here our strategy appears to GET engaged with the opposing teams oline rather than to get around or through them)

This was an issue in GS' first years. Beckford for ex, would run STRAIGHT to engage blockers, instead of trying to avoid and get to the ball carrier or qb. Hadnt seen it or noticed it again until this year and yesterday from certain lbs.

And yes DL is the second greatest need (afer linebacker) from the portal.

 

[MCY]

Good info and no wonder we cannot block anyone. All of the talent we recruited never even saw the field.

You know, I'm beginning to believe we really did build our stadium on sacred native American land and we have been cursed ever since...

 

[kupuna133]

Did all the injuries of the medically retired occur after they committed to RU or were some existing issues we knew about prior to accepting their commitment and became worse?

Allen and De Croce were prior to enrollment. Remember taking with someone regarding DeCroce and they said that he will never suit up for Rutgers. He had multiple injuries in high school and all required significant down time. His words were he’s an 18 year old with a 50!year old body.

 

[RULoyal]

Allen and De Croce were prior to enrollment. Remember taking with someone regarding DeCroce and they said that he will never suit up for Rutgers. He had multiple injuries in high school and all required significant down time. His words were he’s an 18 year old with a 50!year old body.

Enrollment is different than commitment. Probably a bad look to pull an offer after an injury when the recruit has already committed.

 

[kupuna133]

Enrollment is different than commitment. Probably a bad look to pull an offer after an injury when the recruit has already committed.

That’s why I said enrollment. Allen was after commitment. DeCroce had a history of injuries. So that was documented prior to commitment. He missed his entire senior year.

 

[Kbee3]

This was an issue in GS' first years. Beckford for ex, would run STRAIGHT to engage blockers, instead of trying to avoid and get to the ball carrier or qb. Hadnt seen it or noticed it again until this year and yesterday from certain lbs.

And yes DL is the second greatest need (afer linebacker) from the portal.

Rutgers as of this point has four very good linebacker prospects coming in the class of 2025:
Kamar Archie-Rivals rated 5.8
DJ McClary-rated 5.8
Isaiah Deloatch-rated 5.6
Talibi Kaba-rated 5.6 (under-rated IMO)
There also were three linebackers in the 2024 class that have significaant potential:
Samarian Robinson-rated 5.6
Montele Johnson-rated 5.6
Sam Pilof-rated 5.5
With Mo Toure coming back, along with Djabome, Moses Walker, and Abram Wright....I'm guessing whatever portal money Rutgers has available will be spent on other positions.

 

[RUGuitarMan]

Granted some bad fortune at OL but do people think other programs don’t have bad fortune at position groups, especially at the LOS? It happens often. I find it disconcerting that in year 5 of this, we don’t have 7 or 8 OLs that can play competitively in the B1G. To have the Felter injury throw the functioning of the OL into disarray is kind of lame.

 

[kupuna133]

Granted some bad fortune at OL but do people think other programs don’t have bad fortune at position groups, especially at the LOS? It happens often. I find it disconcerting that in year 5 of this, we don’t have 7 or 8 OLs that can play competitively in the B1G. To have the Felter injury throw the functioning of the OL into disarray is kind of lame.

Especially considering the reports coming out of training camp was we were solid with starting 5 and had multiple backups that could step in without missing a beat.

 

[ru-baby]

Yes promising recruits. A lot to think they could stepmin at lb as the recruits that are now fresh arent stepping in and we have seen that a whole lot of help needed. An experienced lb is a must in the portal.

 

[Plum Street]

Allen and De Croce were prior to enrollment. Remember taking with someone regarding DeCroce and they said that he will never suit up for Rutgers. He had multiple injuries in high school and all required significant down time. His words were he’s an 18 year old with a 50!year old body.

I like the inside info . But why wait until now to post this??

 

[kupuna133]

I like the inside info . But why wait until now to post this??

What are you talking about? It’s not inside info. They are medically redshirted that’s public information. DeCroce didn’t play his senior year of high school. The information was out there. Didn’t think about the conversation about DeCroce until that was posted above asking if injuries were prior to or post enrollment.

 

[Plum Street]

What are you talking about? It’s not inside info. They are medically redshirted that’s public information. DeCroce didn’t play his senior year of high school. The information was out there.

That you were talking with someone and said they would never suit up for rutgers : that is inside info

 

[kupuna133]

That you were talking with someone and said they would never suit up for rutgers : that is inside info

Because it wasn’t relevant until he didn’t suit up. It was some random person that coached against DeCroces opinion.

 

[Plum Street]

Because it wasn’t relevant until he didn’t suit up. It was some random person that coached against DeCroces opinion.

It was relevant . The person said it and you took it seriously to remember it years later . You could have shared

 

[kupuna133]

It was relevant . The person said it and you took it seriously to remember it years later . You could have shared

Bizarre take. But okay. You’ve never recalled a conversation years later? I Don’t share every little bit of information here or elsewhere.

 

[PSU_Nut]

It was relevant . The person said it and you took it seriously to remember it years later . You could have shared

I completely understand and why he wouldn’t. You know if he posted it all the homers would attack him as a troll etc.

 

[ashokan]

A key to SEC success is that the southern states have fastest fat guys on the planet

 

[Knight Shift]

I completely understand and why he wouldn’t. You know if he posted it all the homers would attack him as a troll etc.

Except if he heard it at Subway, and then it would be gospel.

 

[NickRU714]

Ok. That's 2022 OL class.
What about 2020? Or 2021? Or 2023 even?
Are the backups really not good enough to provide any improvement?

If the biggest advantage of our HC is recruiting, these constant threads about "we just don't have the talent to compete" seem to not be a good omen.

 

[Knight Shift]

Ok. That's 2022 OL class.
What about 2020? Or 2021? Or 2023 even?
Are the backups really not good enough to provide any improvement?

If the biggest advantage of our HC is recruiting, these constant threads about "we just don't have the talent to compete" seem to not be a good omen.

2023: Apparently, all still on roster

Nick Oliveira	OL	Mullica Hill, NJ	6'5"	285		5.5	12/6/22 SIGNED
Dominic Rivera	OL	Olmstead Falls, OH	6'8"	315		5.6	6/13/22 SIGNED
Mozell Williams	OL	Hawthorne, FL	6'6"	330		5.5	6/12/22 SIGNED
John Stone	OL	Sewell, NJ	6'3"	285		5.6

2021: Apparently all on the roster.

Tyler Needham	OL	Philadelphia, PA	6'4"	275		5.5	6/13/20 SIGNED
Gus Zilinskas	OL	Englewood, CO	6'3"	265		5.4	5/21/20 SIGNED
Kevin Toth	OL	Hudson, OH	6'6"	270		5.6	5/13/20 SIGNED
Zack Taylor	OL	Morris Plains, NJ	6'0"	220

2020: Fatukasi at Bowling Green, Paillant transferre to Marshall and Graduated

Bryan Felter	OL	Oradell, NJ	6'3"	285		5.7	8/8/19 SIGNED
Tunde Fatukasi	OL	Brooklyn, NY	6'4"	295		5.4	12/10/19 SIGNED
Cedrice Paillant	OL	Bronx, NY	6'5"	305

 

[MCY]

If the biggest advantage of our HC is recruiting, these constant threads about "we just don't have the talent to compete" seem to not be a good omen.

It should read "we just don't have the talent to compete the way Schiano wants to compete".

Frankly there is no evidence he will ever change his philosophy or seek an alternative path to success by using the pieces he has in an unconventional fashion to keep the other team guessing and off-balance. It would appear he would rather keep trying to "execute" to perfection the 1980's high school offense we run as if our oline is suddenly going to turn into Wisconsin's oline. Hint - they're not, so stop the insanity and do something different !

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

The starting LBs are on the sidelines injured. Djabome has actually been a pleasant surprise.

Been taking himself out of plays for awhile now. That first game was an amazing performance.. and he had big playss when he guessed right... but that has been happening less and less. Needs to rethink things. of course, GS generally plays assignment defense.. maybe he's been assigned to go there, do that and not use his eyes keying on the ball or anything else.. and that takes him out of the play. That could be the case.