What's the plan at left tackle?
Paul Duncan? Nice guy, but I hope we have another option.
Trevor Robinson? I think Mike Frank mentioned him as a possibility, but I don't think he's ever been projected as anything other than a guard. If ND's staff is serious about getting the best 5 players on the field, he might be the guy.
Matt Romine? I think he was the backup at LT this year (came in for a few plays when Turkovich had to come out). Highly recruited guy who has enough experience in the system to start. I'm definitely pulling for him.
I think a lot of fans get worked up about left tackle, as if every top program has a young Orlando Pace/Jonathan Ogden type player there. Here were the top 5 team's LT's last year and their recruiting rank:
Florida: Phil Trautwein - 3 stars on Rivals, #28 at his position
Utah: Zane Beadles - 2 stars on Rivals, not ranked
USC: Charles Brown - 3 stars on Rivals, #23 at his position
Texas: Adam Ulatoski - 3 stars on Rivals, #24 at his position
Oklahoma: Trent Williams - 3 stars on Rivals, #28 at his position (guard)
As an aside, I always hoped that Will Yeatman would turn into an offensive lineman. I remember seeing him on campus and just being astounded at how big he was and thinking that he definitely had the frame to put on some serious muscle/weight. Oh well...
I really don't think you need a superstar LT.
by ReginaldVelJohnson 
, Sunday, March 15, 2009, 21:02 (6343 days ago) @ Rob (Rakes of Mallow)
You just need someone who is smart and consistent (with the requisite athletic ability). I suppose you could say that for anyone on the offensive line, but I just think that the emergence of LT as a "high value" position is somewhat artificial and has less to do with actual necessity. In the NFL, I think extra value is afforded to a very good LT because of another goal: protecting your giant investment at QB from injury.
That being said, I have no clue if we have anyone like that on the roster at this point. I do agree with you, though, that in my dream world I had Yeatman deciding to give up lacrosse, allowing him to become a LT.
It's definitely different in college.
In college, you will almost never face the kind of DE that is 290 and runs a 4.6 40, on top of ridiculous strength. Any player like that is instantly labeled a game-changer. In the NFL, they strive to find top pass rushers like that, so nearly every team has at least one very good pass rusher that they unleash on the blind side.
The NFL needs the freaks at LT to keep up with the football arms race. DEs are always getting better, and therefore the O-line needs to keep up. The elite few that are suited to be NFL LTs then become a hot commodity. Since there are only 34 spots for starting LTs, the competition is fierce as well.
Naturally, in college football it's also important to protect the blind side of the QB. However, the "arms race" really only applies to about 15 schools, and even then most LTs come from humble beginnings, because the kind of pass rusher that requires an elite LT to protect the QB is very rare in college football.
Good point.
by ReginaldVelJohnson , Sunday, March 15, 2009, 22:24 (6343 days ago) @ PaulM
And it's not only just the DEs, but very few college teams are stacked across the entire DL. Meaning that you can afford to give your LT help and double team the DE. In the NFL, you'll run up against DLs where the LT needs to stay on an island with the DE for the most part.
Don't sleep on Dever.
by Bingo , Fort Wayne, IN, Sunday, March 15, 2009, 20:17 (6343 days ago) @ Rob (Rakes of Mallow)
I was pretty high when we got him, but he was definitely a "project". It's year three, let's hope he has been molded into a capable LT.
are any of those 5 considered potential NFL picks?
by Spesh 
, Los Angeles, Sunday, March 15, 2009, 19:39 (6343 days ago) @ Rob (Rakes of Mallow)
I find the LT question fascinating for the very reason you state.
"I think a lot of fans get worked up about left tackle, as if every top program has a young Orlando Pace/Jonathan Ogden type player there."
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis also made it into a bigger deal. I'd love to see someone do a deeper analysis on it.
And to answer your question, I think Duncan will win it. I can't say that I'm rooting for him, either.
Re: Duncan
I'm just curious about your line in there about "can't say I'm rooting for him"
Why not? If he wins it, and it's a legitimate competition (going by Verducci's words of everyone starting new), then is there a specific reason not to root for him?
just some cynicism
by Spesh , Los Angeles, Sunday, March 15, 2009, 20:05 (6343 days ago) @ Three D
I want to believe that Romine will develop into our starting LT. He just looked uncomfortable and uncoordinated when he was in there last year. Maybe he was still recovering from his previous injuries, maybe not.
As far as Clelland, is he big enough yet? Probably a year away.
As far as Robinson, he really looked like a freshman down the stretch, especially after Stewart's injury pressed him into full-time duty. If anything, his weakness was pass blocking-- not good for a LT.
When Duncan played in 2007, it was just frightening. He was not ready for prime time. Maybe the year off gave him some confidence since he wasn't getting beaten like a drum.
I'd like for Clelland or Romine to develop into the LT that we need, but the cynic in me thinks that they won't be that much better than Duncan, whose experience will help him win the spot.
Then again, Turkovich developed into a solid LT for us. Maybe that can happen with Duncan, Robinson, or Romine. I'm just not sold that the bodies we have translate to actual depth.
I think your last point on Turk is the most important
by scriptcomesfirst , Monday, March 16, 2009, 05:32 (6343 days ago) @ Spesh
Not many of us expected good things from him last year, and I felt like he was one of our most solid, if not the most solid players on the line. Also, I think Verducci's approach will be a significant boost to productivity. Latina obviously has a great deal of knowledge -- you don't get that far without it -- but his laid back personality did not inspire confidence in me. I believe in genuine a%#holes at OL, DL, and LB coach. Check, check, and check again.
Color me optimistic.
Having said that... I hope T-Rob ends up at guard. That fits his skill set much better.
the thing with Turkovich
by Spesh , Los Angeles, Monday, March 16, 2009, 07:07 (6343 days ago) @ scriptcomesfirst
is that he always seemed to be a mean, nasty guy. Even when he was whiffing on DL and LBs at his LG spot in 2007, he was still a guy that seemed to have the right attitude for an OL.
Never saw that with Duncan. I feel like there were quotes from a defensive player in 2007 that suggested our OL were afraid. That quote seemed to line up with how Duncan played throughout most of the year-- afraid. On the other hand, Turk didn't seem afraid-- he wanted to mix it up.
Like I said, though...as optimistic as I can be about some things, other times I am definitely more of a cynic. LT is a position where I possess much cynicism. I do hope I'm wrong.