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| Chris Bryant |
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 341 lbs.
High school: Chicago (IL) Simeon
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #58
Last year: I said Bryant would redshirt. He redshirted.
Bryant showed up on campus at 341 lbs., and that's simply too big, especially if you're only 6'4". He was bound to redshirt because of the depth on the offensive line, anyway, but showing up that heavy didn't help matters. Despite the extra weight, he impressed a lot of people in practices with his run blocking abilities. The buzz from practice was that if he got hold of a defensive lineman, the defensive lineman was lost. Unfortunately, Bryant didn't pass block much in high school, so he needs some work in that area.
Because of his shortcomings in pass blocking and some footwork issues, Bryant lingers as the backup right guard behind Patrick Omameh. While the left guard spot is open, that battle seems to be between walk-on Joey Burzynski and fifth year senior Elliott Mealer. Coach Hoke mentioned in the spring that he likes to get offensive linemen comfortable on one side of the line before flipping them back and forth, and with Bryant's road grading abilities, right guard seems like a good spot for Bryant at this juncture. Hopefully Omameh stays healthy and Bryant can spend another year as an apprentice before battling for one of the guard spots in 2013.
Prediction: Backup right guard
It's difficult to distinguish value between the 5th through 8th OLmen. It seems that group includes Mealer, Burzynski, Bryant, and Kalis - but the order is fluid. I'd favor experience generally, but also have to value the versatility to play either guard or tackle. Mealer can for sure, Kalis - probably. Burzynski and Bryant are pure guards.
ReplyDeleteMealer, as the known entity in the group is the most valuable for now but Bryant and Kalis both have talent that could shoot them past Mealer and into the starting lineup. Burzynski is the least valuable in my mind, but I accept that he's a real possibility to start. On the other end of the variance spectrum is Kalis, who could do anything from red-shirt to start (though he probably won't do either.)
It will be interesting to see how it shakes out but it's great that we have 4 veteran OL who look so solid and only 1 hole to fill... At least for now. This year, the OL discussion, like last year (and next year) must end with 'hopefully they stay healthy'.
If they do - the running game is going to be excellent with a veteran and talented OL and the same at QB and RB. That's going to make the level of difficulty for the passing game very low - low enough that Denard could easily put it together for a Heisman-caliber season.
Getting comfortable on one side of the line is an interesting point - and it makes sense. So lets assume for a moment Bryant is locked in at RG. Now a hypothetical - lets say Bryant shows significant improvement and begins to climb towards his significant ceiling as a player while Burzynski and Mealer exhibit no more than competency while Kalis isn't quite ready for prime time. In that scenario, do you think it's possible we might see Omameh shuffle over to LG to make room for Bryant at RG?
ReplyDeleteMy assumption for a while now has been that Bryant would emerge from the scrum as the 5th starter. My confidence has waned, and I know you think Mealer is the man there with Burzynski not far behind, but if Bryant is the best guy - how do you think positions shake out?
Fair enough. My thinking is that a veteran player like Omameh (or Mealer) won't lose as much by moving before the season started. Those guys should be fairly well prepared for a move, whereas a younger player might struggle. I think grooming Bryant to replace Omameh makes sense -- if they're healthy enough at the other spots to afford it.
ReplyDeleteFor now I'm sticking to my prediction that Bryant wins a starting job. He has not been entrenched at RG long enough for it to be a huge problem if they want him at LG, and I think his talent will prevail over Burzynski/Mealer. Especially against Alabama's DL - you're going to want a player who can physically compete with some of those beasts...
I'm assuming the battle for the LG spot will be fairly close and am by no means locked into thinking anyone is a sure thing. But in the end, I think the coaching staff will value Mealer's versatility more off the bench than as a starter. Mealer can replace any spot he is needed (other than C) without shuffling anyone else around mid-game. The alternative is a true two-deep with backups being a Burzynski LG, Miller C, Bryant RG, Kalis RT, maybe a walk-on at LT. I don't think the coaches will do that, or even close to that (with Schofield sliding to LT if Lewan goes out and Kalis inserting at RT). Not mid-game anyway. In practice, the 6th best linemen will come in anytime anyone is hurt. I think the coaches will like Mealer in that role and that'll help one of the others emerge at starter.