V. Chase and the Offensive Line

[Hoop Fan]

It sounds like Vincent Chase is much more of a blocking tight end than a pass catcher for Irving. Can he come in and play right away? A guys with offers from Nebraska, Oklahoma and LSU must be able to compete in the WAC fairly early. If he can't play right away, what hope do we have of improving on our dismal Oline play? Jucos seems out of the picture.

[DallasDiehard]

ABSOLUTELY he can play right away. I've seen a couple of Irving games, and I think he might be even bigger than the 6-5, 250 he's listed at. You're right in your assessment that he's a blocking tight end -- he and Chris Hall cleared the way for most of Irving's rushing touchdowns, from what I hear (and the two games I saw). When you consider the size of high school kids, it only makes sense to run behind Chase and Hall, who by my guess now goes about 6'4" or 6'5" and at least 290 (can anyone confirm?) But I also watched warmups, and Chase can run and he can catch. Before the games I saw, he caught every pass thrown his way. Of course, it was warmups - there were no defenders draped all over him. But he's got huge hands and his shoulders are so wide he should be able to screen defenders so they can hardly see the ball.

I would still like to see Ryan Kennedy as part of the offense, but I wonder if he might be better off (and help the team the most) by adding a few more pounds and jumping inside to guard. At 6'5" and 260-plus, he's already bigger than Turner and Eidson, and with some added bulk, he could be really imposing. Plus, if he's always been a tight end, that means he can run a bit, which should give him the footwork necessary to get out on sweeps and pulling plays and be a very effective - and mobile - blocker. Mark Hodges showed us at the end of the season that he has some really good hands, and he moves very well. I would think we could use him to cause real headaches for defenses -- if we line him up at a traditional TE spot, a LB will have to run with him, and there aren't many who can. If we split him out wide, he can overpower a DB -- especially with some more work in the weight room, which would make him an even better blocker.

Without knowing what wrinkles will be added to the offense next year, I'd think there would be ample playing time for all three TEs. Chase is a crucial cog in the offense's plans, though. He wasn't offered that early to come sit for years on the bench. He is a grade-A hoss who will be an extremely valuable player in the turnaround of our team. I'd even go so far as to suggest that he's a guy we'll look back on and remember as one of the main reasons SMU will enjoy some legitimate success in the near future.

[Hoop Fan]

no kidding? that sounds pretty good. I wonder if its already been decided that he is not redshirting.

[Charleston Pony]

I thought about Kennedy on the OL, too, but I see him as a tackle. Looks to me like he can add a lot of weight to that frame and would have the footwork you want in a pass blocking tackle. Besides, we have Burley and Boren coming in behind Kieshnick and Hargis at the guard positions.

Let's all hope Chase can come in and be a stud right away. Both Chase brothers for that matter!

[DallasDiehard]

I believe Burley is a tackle. Boren is a guard, and Peveto has practiced at all three (center, guard and tackle) - although I'd like to see him start at center. Maybe even next year.

Amen on the Chase effect. I bet Bobby surprises a lot of people next year - people who only know about Vincent.

[JasonB]

This is what you are looking at next year on the OL, from what I understand:

LT: DJ

LG: Keischnick
Boren
Burley

C: Turner
Eidson

RG: Hargis
Boren
Burley

RT: Urbanus
Peveto