SoGaDawg

Jon I think you’ve made a great point in your OP and I very much agree. While building a roster in this new era it’s even more obvious that a program’s success or failure is directly reflected by the financial strategy that is implemented and the ROI of said strategy. Furthermore, I believe that the O-line position group might best exemplify your point. IMO, the O-line is the most important catalyst for an offense. I have this opinion for many reasons, but for the moment I’ll attempt to touch on the reasons that most directly relate to the topic of this thread. O-line is most important bc fielding an elite O-line is the most sure way to attain a truly sustainable dominant offense throughout a season. The line is first and foremost one body made up of strong and talented parts that work so well together in a collaborative strategy that they perform as an elite unit in achieving goals. This elite unit can act as the heart and guide of the offense by creating the pathways that lead to greatness. So if one of the goals is to build an O-line that is capable of performing in such a way, what is the best strategy in the use of your NIL capital to achieve this goal? I believe that your estimate is likely somewhere in the ballpark and bc of that and a few other reasons, I think (especially in this case) that your type of strategy could prove the most efficient and beneficial strategy. As you stated, it’s highly unlikely that a freshman offensive lineman will be prepared to start in his true freshman season, no matter how talented or highly rated he is. To my knowledge there is no amount of NIL money that will magically provide him with the year or years of developmental experience that he will likely need to be the player the unit needs as it pursues greatness. Also, it’s possible that by the time he does become the right player, he may decide to hit the portal in an attempt to further maximize his earning potential. So it’s possible that you might pay him top $ just so you could develop him for someone else’s O-line. If so, this highly touted, highly talented, and extremely expensive recruit has given you a negative ROI, when you consider how that NIL capital might have been used. To your point, instead of taking this risk, search for linemen in the portal that have unexpectedly already developed into just what you’re looking for. Attempt to use your capital on 2 or 3 that look as if they might immediately fit right into your schemes and strategies. Players that you feel are already a few of those strong and talented parts that can become a part of that Elite Unit. Potentially maximize ROI as opposed to risking a negative return. This is just an attempt for me to think about this situation in a way that relates to your OP. I’m certainly not saying don’t go after those top recruits, but it might be worth thinking about it or considering what alternatives might be available or just talk about it. I certainly don’t know what is best but I do think it’s interesting. Some might say it would be very hard to expect an O-line to be able to work that effectively together that quickly, and perhaps that might be the case, but who knows? The right group might do very well together. I’m not exaggerating how strongly I feel about the importance of the O-line for an offense. I have similar feelings for the importance of the D-line for defenses.

Looks like Nico’s brother Madden is hitting the portal and will also be a Bruin, at least for a time

Yeah, it’s time, but I will certainly miss him. Gameday will never be the same without him!

I think those are great picks! My favorite Dark Horse pick is the GT gnats though. Brent Key has done very well turning that program around IMO, and Buster Faulkner is one heck of an OC. I really wanted GA to make him our OC. Rumor is that we offered him a Co-OC position to work with Bobo and he turned it down bc he wanted the whole ball of wax. I don’t blame him a bit, he is too good to share the position with Bobo. Also, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Tech actually wins the ACC and makes the Playoff, and honestly I’d like to see that happen. I know that sounds odd coming from a guy that bleeds Red & Black, but for some reason since I was a kid I’ve always pulled for GT except for when they play GA. I think I’ve always had sort of like a little brother syndrome about GT. I want us to beat the crap out of them, but I don’t want to see anyone else beat the crap out of them.

Well crap!!! Great game though!!!

Hell, I’m nervous as hell! Gotta fix myself one more drink for this one! Let’s Go USA!!! Damn I love this!!!

Could you imagine if Marchand were to score the winning goal in Boston!!!?

Just saw that!!! That’s the way a championship game should be!!!

Cool, I’d rather see that than straight to a shootout. Shootouts are fun to watch but basically a glorified skills competition IMO

Question @30Duck I’m assuming we go to a shootout if tied after regulation. Is that right?

Slaven is the man!!!

I gotta make a little drink!

Lost his stick and got a skate on it! Gotta love it!

Dang, Power Play for the Canucks

Nice! Traffic helps us this time! 2-1 USA!!!