Value of Line

[Wood Hughes]

I've seen a lot of weak skill position teams win with strong O & D lines. What is a professional coaching opinion on recruiting a strong lineman versus a stong skill (non-QB) player?

[ca4usc]

you're in the college football section askin a pro football question in case you didn't know it.

you can tell by looking at the run game of Seattle versus Minnesota since the Vikings picked up Hutchinson from the Seahawks a couple of years ago. Minnesota's run game is one of the the best while Seattle's is average since then. so a strong/skilled lineman made the strong/skilled RB more effective. just an opinion.

[Wood Hughes]

I do know where I am and I'm in the right place. I'm asking professional college coaches what their opinion is on building strong lines or going for skill positions.

Yes, I know you try to get both, but there are limited scholarships available and limited budgets for assistant coaches in the college game. Therefore, during some recruiting seasons, the question comes up.

Should I go for the higher paid line assistant and the higher rated lineman prospect, or should I go for the higher paid skill assistant and the higher rated skill player?

[Coach Vince Dooley]

To answer your question, it is strictly a numbers game. You need 5 offensive line starters and 4 defensive line starters, plus a tight end. Now you need back-ups at each position. That's 20 scholarships right there. You only will offer about 6 wide receiver scholarships and about the same number to the running backs. You will use other scholarships to further bolster your line. You are not going to win without those two lines. It's what's up front that counts. Thanks for your question Wood!

[Wood Hughes]

Thank you, Coach. I want you to know I really enjoy listening to Barbara on the radio each week, and as a Georgia Master Gardener, enjoy reading about your gardening.