Big upgrade with players coming back into the lineup. Today Wilcox said Ott is probable to return to the lineup and so are McDonald and Vatikani for the first time this season on offense. Defensively Reese is probable to return to the field for his first game this year. Merriweather and Grayes are still out and Littlejohn is doubtful

At what point would we redshirt Merriweather and Graves? After the 6th game of they have yet to play? Or it doesn't matter - we would play them when ready even if it is the last game of the season? With people transferring all over the place I guess just play them whenever because it might be the last year they are here.

Could be very good news for the team and add to their confidence. If Ott is 100% this can bring the Bears 100+ yards more on offense while changing the passing dynamics of the team. Any of the OL returnees could also add more possibilities for the offense that haven't been shown in the past two weeks. Their substitutes also will be that much more experienced should they be needed as well. Go Bears!

Econ141 said:

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At what point would we redshirt Merriweather and Graves? After the 6th game of they have yet to play? Or it doesn't matter - we would play them when ready even if it is the last game of the season? With people transferring all over the place I guess just play them whenever because it might be the last year they are here.

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Depends on what happens this weekend but if either are good to go I would expect the Miami game to go full boat with what we have.

Econ141 said:

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At what point would we redshirt Merriweather and Graves? After the 6th game of they have yet to play? Or it doesn't matter - we would play them when ready even if it is the last game of the season? With people transferring all over the place I guess just play them whenever because it might be the last year they are here.

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I don't see any point in sitting people out for a year anymore. They are getting NIL for this year - who knows about next year. They could be gone. No reason to wait. I think these guys already used a redshirt year anyway. You take a risk to hope you get a second one on exception.

Oski87 said:

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Econ141 said:

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At what point would we redshirt Merriweather and Graves? After the 6th game of they have yet to play? Or it doesn't matter - we would play them when ready even if it is the last game of the season? With people transferring all over the place I guess just play them whenever because it might be the last year they are here.

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I don't see any point in sitting people out for a year anymore. They are getting NIL for this year - who knows about next year. They could be gone. No reason to wait. I think these guys already used a redshirt year anyway. You take a risk to hope you get a second one on exception.

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That makes sense and I agree. The only dark side here is that these one year deals might lead teams to play injured players before they are fully ready/comfortable.

Oski87 said:

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Econ141 said:

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At what point would we redshirt Merriweather and Graves? After the 6th game of they have yet to play? Or it doesn't matter - we would play them when ready even if it is the last game of the season? With people transferring all over the place I guess just play them whenever because it might be the last year they are here.

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I don't see any point in sitting people out for a year anymore. They are getting NIL for this year - who knows about next year. They could be gone. No reason to wait. I think these guys already used a redshirt year anyway. You take a risk to hope you get a second one on exception.

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Even freshmen. If they can contribute, even special teams, play them.

Bearly Clad said:

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Big upgrade with players coming back into the lineup. Today Wilcox said Ott is probable to return to the lineup and so are McDonald and Vatikani for the first time this season on offense. Defensively Reese is probable to return to the field for his first game this year. Merriweather and Grayes are still out and Littlejohn is doubtful

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Just my opinion. Getting the two offensive lineman back is more significant than the injuries to the skill positions. Our offensive line is still suspect, I can't forget the second half of the Auburn game. Hopefully the return of the two first stringers will make a significant difference.

RedlessWardrobe said:

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Just my opinion. Getting the two offensive lineman back is more significant than the injuries to the skill positions. Our offensive line is still suspect, I can't forget the second half of the Auburn game. Hopefully the return of the two first stringers will make a significant difference.

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Oh easily, we have depth at RB and WR. OL is our biggest weakness right now and Vatikani is our best OL. Plus we've been having snap issues so getting McDonald back is an underrated boon

Bearly Clad said:

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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Just my opinion. Getting the two offensive lineman back is more significant than the injuries to the skill positions. Our offensive line is still suspect, I can't forget the second half of the Auburn game. Hopefully the return of the two first stringers will make a significant difference.

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Oh easily, we have depth at RB and WR. OL is our biggest weakness right now and Vatikani is our best OL. Plus we've been having snap issues so getting McDonald back is an underrated boon

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The Fall camp practices I attended showed all 3 center's having snap issues. McDonald was not really any better than Swinney from a snapping perspective in the practices I observed. He is the best blocker of the 3 though. Given he has not been playing using him to snap at FSU may not be ideal. He is also Cal's best LG IMO and perhaps they get him on the field there in rotation with Reimer. McDonald was an all conference player at Coastal Carolina as a LG.

Then have him practice at C for 2 weeks leading up to Miami.Swinney was better vs SDSU and you need to keep miscues at a minimum vs FSU.

RedlessWardrobe said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Big upgrade with players coming back into the lineup. Today Wilcox said Ott is probable to return to the lineup and so are McDonald and Vatikani for the first time this season on offense. Defensively Reese is probable to return to the field for his first game this year. Merriweather and Grayes are still out and Littlejohn is doubtful

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Just my opinion. Getting the two offensive lineman back is more significant than the injuries to the skill positions. Our offensive line is still suspect, I can't forget the second half of the Auburn game. Hopefully the return of the two first stringers will make a significant difference.

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I agree. Mendoza was getting clobbered. Amazing he held on to the ball on some of those hits.

burritos said:

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Big upgrade with players coming back into the lineup. Today Wilcox said Ott is probable to return to the lineup and so are McDonald and Vatikani for the first time this season on offense. Defensively Reese is probable to return to the field for his first game this year. Merriweather and Grayes are still out and Littlejohn is doubtful

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Just my opinion. Getting the two offensive lineman back is more significant than the injuries to the skill positions. Our offensive line is still suspect, I can't forget the second half of the Auburn game. Hopefully the return of the two first stringers will make a significant difference.

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I agree. Mendoza was getting clobbered. Amazing he held on to the ball on some of those hits.

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The times Nando was getting clobbered, I'm not sure those were a "lineman getting beat" problem, but more likely a "not recognizing the blitz" or "not calling the right protection" problem. That's on the QB, no? I remember in the recent past when the center was the guy calling the protection. Can't remember which OC that was.

TouchedTheAxeIn82 said:

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burritos said:

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Big upgrade with players coming back into the lineup. Today Wilcox said Ott is probable to return to the lineup and so are McDonald and Vatikani for the first time this season on offense. Defensively Reese is probable to return to the field for his first game this year. Merriweather and Grayes are still out and Littlejohn is doubtful

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Just my opinion. Getting the two offensive lineman back is more significant than the injuries to the skill positions. Our offensive line is still suspect, I can't forget the second half of the Auburn game. Hopefully the return of the two first stringers will make a significant difference.

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I agree. Mendoza was getting clobbered. Amazing he held on to the ball on some of those hits.

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The times Nando was getting clobbered, I'm not sure those were a "lineman getting beat" problem, but more likely a "not recognizing the blitz" or "not calling the right protection" problem. That's on the QB, no? I remember in the recent past when the center was the guy calling the protection. Can't remember which OC that was.

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I think it is an all of the above sort of problem. Some on the OL, some on the Rb, some on the QB etc. And of course some times your opponent just does a good job. No game will be perfect but minimizing the protection issues and making the opponent pay for bringing numbers is a reasonable goal.