Being concerned a little about future depth on the line of scrimmage, I thought this:
I recall in Kiffin's introductory press conference that he said
something to the effect that the recruiting strategy was to search out skill players nationwide,
but that he felt that the trenches could be manned with more local and regional recruits.
Now, perhaps it is that he believes that with the size, and it is probably mainly just size,
that he can 'make' a very good Ol and Dl function out of average or just-above-avg..
This is probably not exactly so, but you get the drift. And this is what I had always kinda
figured too, at least to a greater extent that most might be ready to believe.
This past season provided two very good cases-in-point: OregonSt clobbered USC at both lines,
and Utah belittled Alabama.
I do realize that the TNstaff has been after a goodly bunch of linemen on both sides,
maybe all the higher-ranked ones that they can get to. And maybe, they have sought the
best players at all positions, rather evenly. Or maybe not.
So, My question to the board is this:
1) Do you think that the staff has focused recruiting this year primarily,
and by primarily I just mean with a significant greater emphasis, on skill players vs. linemen?
This is not meant to suggest that a greater emphasis on skill positions means total neglect of lineman.
2) Or, do you think that they have spread it evenly about the positions, with none of particular priority.
3) Or, do you think that they have just gone after 'the best available'=
given what connections and access and interest the 'best available' were at any position?
I recall in Kiffin's introductory press conference that he said
something to the effect that the recruiting strategy was to search out skill players nationwide,
but that he felt that the trenches could be manned with more local and regional recruits.
Now, perhaps it is that he believes that with the size, and it is probably mainly just size,
that he can 'make' a very good Ol and Dl function out of average or just-above-avg..
This is probably not exactly so, but you get the drift. And this is what I had always kinda
figured too, at least to a greater extent that most might be ready to believe.
This past season provided two very good cases-in-point: OregonSt clobbered USC at both lines,
and Utah belittled Alabama.
I do realize that the TNstaff has been after a goodly bunch of linemen on both sides,
maybe all the higher-ranked ones that they can get to. And maybe, they have sought the
best players at all positions, rather evenly. Or maybe not.
So, My question to the board is this:
1) Do you think that the staff has focused recruiting this year primarily,
and by primarily I just mean with a significant greater emphasis, on skill players vs. linemen?
This is not meant to suggest that a greater emphasis on skill positions means total neglect of lineman.
2) Or, do you think that they have spread it evenly about the positions, with none of particular priority.
3) Or, do you think that they have just gone after 'the best available'=
given what connections and access and interest the 'best available' were at any position?
