For sure we need some stud OT's but the lack of availability shows that every team needs stud OT's and there just aren't that many of them. Finding a 6'6" +/- @ 315# +/- athlete that is strong, nasty, has technique and the athletic ability to take on an edge speed rusher would be like finfing diamonds in your back yard...it just doesn't happen often. I am hoping Bloesch, with a simplified system, can coach our guys up to a point where they will be serviceable. He seems to be high on Rohme; I hope he's right. Rohme has the size and strength now, he is tough and has some nasty, but to me it remains to be seen if he has the feet to be solid at weak tackle. I feel pretty comfortable with the rest of our position group. On another note, USC picked up two absolute OL studs this spring. But they will be vying for a playoff spot and they have unlimited NIL $$.
If we can even get our OL performance to be average, I think things will come together. Also need to fumigate the locker room of those pesky injury bugs.
USC gonna USC. Just gotta enjoy kicking them when they're down.
I agree. There is a website that lists 'values' of all the players, but I'm not sure how accurate it is. I do know that USC deals are private since it's a private school. No one knows Lincoln Riley's deal but I heard from a very involved USC alum that it was $14m/year plus a nice big house in a fancy neighborhood. Same for Caleb Williams; he didn't transfer to USC just to be with his old Oklahoma Coach Lincoln Riley. If you recall he waited a bit before announcing...he was waiting for USC to put the big NIL package together for him, but no one other than Caleb and the powers at USC know what the deal is.
Think in terms of the NFL. Top OT's are getting $25m to $30m/year. Put's it all in perspective of how important the position is and how rare the really good players are.
Wykoff was projected as a RT out of high school and only played Center at TAMU because of catastrophic injury issues last year. He can theoretically play 4 of the 5 line positions but the question is where does he provide the most value to Cal? As for additional transfers, grad transfers can portal at any time so I suspect Cal is hoping for some quality there to happen. They have money to compete for any quality that comes out but it feels like a lot of hope...
As for DL...not worried. They have a lot more than just Brett Johnson coming back from injury so the question is, can they stay healthy? A healthy line allows Sirmon to be more creative with his pressure and blitz packages. They seem to have the appropriate numbers for this year but you have to wonder about longer term. Quality Edge guys from the portal are expensive as, one presumes, would be holding onto any young Edge talent that the staff would have recruited.
Stanley McKenzie-Saole coming back should also have a big impact.
Just one or two more quality offensive linemen would have ideal, but 15th ranked transfer class is pretty great, especially considering Cal’s record last year. If the offense had squeezed out one more touchdown per game, Cal would have been 9-3, so let’s just have a good year on the field, and that will help bring guys in more than anything else.
For sure we need some stud OT's but the lack of availability shows that every team needs stud OT's and there just aren't that many of them. Finding a 6'6" +/- @ 315# +/- athlete that is strong, nasty, has technique and the athletic ability to take on an edge speed rusher would be like finfing diamonds in your back yard...it just doesn't happen often. I am hoping Bloesch, with a simplified system, can coach our guys up to a point where they will be serviceable. He seems to be high on Rohme; I hope he's right. Rohme has the size and strength now, he is tough and has some nasty, but to me it remains to be seen if he has the feet to be solid at weak tackle. I feel pretty comfortable with the rest of our position group. On another note, USC picked up two absolute OL studs this spring. But they will be vying for a playoff spot and they have unlimited NIL $$.
If we can even get our OL performance to be average, I think things will come together. Also need to fumigate the locker room of those pesky injury bugs.
USC gonna USC. Just gotta enjoy kicking them when they're down.
Unfortunately I don't subscribe to BearInsider, but I may switch from CAL Rivals as BI appears to produce a lot more and better content.
I agree. There is a website that lists 'values' of all the players, but I'm not sure how accurate it is. I do know that USC deals are private since it's a private school. No one knows Lincoln Riley's deal but I heard from a very involved USC alum that it was $14m/year plus a nice big house in a fancy neighborhood. Same for Caleb Williams; he didn't transfer to USC just to be with his old Oklahoma Coach Lincoln Riley. If you recall he waited a bit before announcing...he was waiting for USC to put the big NIL package together for him, but no one other than Caleb and the powers at USC know what the deal is.
Think in terms of the NFL. Top OT's are getting $25m to $30m/year. Put's it all in perspective of how important the position is and how rare the really good players are.
Here's a breakdown of NFL OL salaries...none at $30m, but the good ones are making bank these days...compare them to RB's.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/average/offensive-line/
Wykoff was projected as a RT out of high school and only played Center at TAMU because of catastrophic injury issues last year. He can theoretically play 4 of the 5 line positions but the question is where does he provide the most value to Cal? As for additional transfers, grad transfers can portal at any time so I suspect Cal is hoping for some quality there to happen. They have money to compete for any quality that comes out but it feels like a lot of hope...
As for DL...not worried. They have a lot more than just Brett Johnson coming back from injury so the question is, can they stay healthy? A healthy line allows Sirmon to be more creative with his pressure and blitz packages. They seem to have the appropriate numbers for this year but you have to wonder about longer term. Quality Edge guys from the portal are expensive as, one presumes, would be holding onto any young Edge talent that the staff would have recruited.
Stanley McKenzie-Saole coming back should also have a big impact.
Just one or two more quality offensive linemen would have ideal, but 15th ranked transfer class is pretty great, especially considering Cal’s record last year. If the offense had squeezed out one more touchdown per game, Cal would have been 9-3, so let’s just have a good year on the field, and that will help bring guys in more than anything else.
Pump...pump...pump
Sunshine.gif
Agree 100% with your conclusions. Hoping new coaches can work some miracles.
Don't we need a third QB?
Just got one https://twitter.com/CalRivals/status/1660841879355953153
Top 25 Class. That is a stroke cold hard fact. I could care less about what Write for CA thinks about these players.