soonerfan28
5/13/2009, 09:41 PM
Look at 1 and 10. This is form rivals.com
Offensive lines are like electricity: They're largely taken for granted and not fully appreciated until they're not working well.
Running backs and quarterbacks may be described as electrifying, but it's the line that empowers them.
Running backs have fast feet; linemen get fast food. Quarterbacks (Heath Shuler, J.C. Watts, Jack Kemp) run for Congress; linemen run out for pizza.
Trent Williams is the only returning starter on the Oklahoma offensive line.
But coaches know their importance. That's why Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was concerned in March and criticized his linemen for a lack of effort in offseason conditioning.
"Those guys, at this point, just everything – whether it's their work ethic, their attitude, those kinds of things – needs to improve," Stoops said. "They haven't had the winter everybody else has had. They, right now, are the weak link of the team."
Of course, some of those linemen were able to redeem themselves in spring drills. But it's what happens in the fall that counts. Last fall, Oklahoma's offensive line arguably was the best in the nation. This season, with four new starters, it will be among the most scrutinized. With four new starters up front, Oklahoma's is just one of several offensive lines that have something to prove this season.
1. Oklahoma: By now it's common knowledge the Sooners lost four starting linemen who earned All-Big 12 recognition. That line protected Heisman-winning quarterback Sam Bradford and paved the way for two 1,000-yard running backs. Trent Williams is the lone returning starter, and he moves from right tackle to left tackle. Cory Brandon made a great impression this spring on the right side, but the Sooners still will be counting on guys that Stoops criticized in March. Bradford's Heisman campaign and OU's national championship hopes depend heavily on the line play.
2. Alabama: Three starters and two NFL picks – tackle Andre Smith (first round) and center Antoine Caldwell (third round) – are gone from a group that unquestionably was the Tide's offensive strength last season. Without Smith, Alabama struggled offensively against Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Junior college transfer James Carpenter showed promise in replacing Smith this spring, but there are questions at center. Quarterback Greg McElroy will be a first-time starter, so solid line play is even more crucial.
3. Penn State: The Lions must replace three starters from one of the best lines in the country. Two of them were taken in the NFL draft. Stefen Wisniewski moves from guard to center to fill the void left by A.Q. Shipley, while sophomores DeOn'tae Pannell (tackle) and Matt Stankiewitch (guard) are expected to take over starting roles. The Lions also must replace their top three receivers, so a strong running game is vital.
4. Arizona State: The Sun Devils have allowed a combined 89 sacks in the past two seasons and could not establish a consistent running game last season – and that was with experienced Rudy Carpenter at quarterback. Seldom-used Danny Sullivan is the starter this season. An unproven quarterback and a leaky line sound like a disaster waiting to happen. Three starters are back, though Garth Gerhart is moving from guard to center.
5. Notre Dame: Four starters are back, but is that a good thing? Notre Dame averaged less than 110 rushing yards to rank 100th nationally in rushing offense – and that's while facing nine opponents that ranked 50th or worse in rushing defense. The Irish lost three games in which they had the lead in the fourth quarter, partly because they couldn't run to protect the advantage. Notre Dame has a good passing attack, but the Irish will struggle until the line shows it can man up and get a consistent push.
6. Oregon: The Ducks were among the nation's leaders in rushing offense in each of the past two seasons – when they had a strong, proven line. NFL draft picks Max Unger and Fenuki Tupou are among four lost starters who may be replaced by freshmen and sophomores. Will quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LeGarrette Blount be as explosive behind a new set of blockers?
7. West Virginia: Tackle Selvish Capers is the only fulltime returning starter from a line that helped pave the way for one of the country's most dynamic offenses. The loss of All-Big East tackle Ryan Stanchek leaves a big hole, as does losing guard Greg Isdaner, a three-year starter. New starters, such as sophomore guard Josh Jenkins - who was a highly regarded recruit - have high standards to meet. In addition, the Mountaineers no longer have the elusive Pat White at quarterback, which puts more emphasis on the blockers up front.
8. Texas A&M: The Aggies are good at the skill positions, but they've been atrocious up front. Consider this: Last season, the Aggies ranked 114th nationally in rushing offense and 115th nationally in sacks allowed, and that was with mobile quarterbacks. Three fulltime starters are back and Matt Allen - a transfer from LSU - has taken over at one guard spot, so maybe the blocking will improve. If it doesn't, the Aggies are facing another losing season.
9. Tennessee: Center Josh McNeil, guard Vladimir Richard and tackle Chris Scott are returning starters from a line that was average at best last season. Will it be any better this season? Volunteer quarterbacks were sacked 25 times and the running game was largely ineffective in '08.
10. BYU: The offensive line was one of the strengths for the Cougars in '08, but freshman All-America tackle Matt Reynolds is the only returning starter up front. Senior R.J. Willing, a career backup at tackle, moves into the starting lineup at center. The Cougars are strong at the skill positions with quarterback Max Hall, running back Harvey Unga and tight end Dennis Pitta, but somebody has to block for them.
Offensive lines are like electricity: They're largely taken for granted and not fully appreciated until they're not working well.
Running backs and quarterbacks may be described as electrifying, but it's the line that empowers them.
Running backs have fast feet; linemen get fast food. Quarterbacks (Heath Shuler, J.C. Watts, Jack Kemp) run for Congress; linemen run out for pizza.
Trent Williams is the only returning starter on the Oklahoma offensive line.
But coaches know their importance. That's why Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was concerned in March and criticized his linemen for a lack of effort in offseason conditioning.
"Those guys, at this point, just everything – whether it's their work ethic, their attitude, those kinds of things – needs to improve," Stoops said. "They haven't had the winter everybody else has had. They, right now, are the weak link of the team."
Of course, some of those linemen were able to redeem themselves in spring drills. But it's what happens in the fall that counts. Last fall, Oklahoma's offensive line arguably was the best in the nation. This season, with four new starters, it will be among the most scrutinized. With four new starters up front, Oklahoma's is just one of several offensive lines that have something to prove this season.
1. Oklahoma: By now it's common knowledge the Sooners lost four starting linemen who earned All-Big 12 recognition. That line protected Heisman-winning quarterback Sam Bradford and paved the way for two 1,000-yard running backs. Trent Williams is the lone returning starter, and he moves from right tackle to left tackle. Cory Brandon made a great impression this spring on the right side, but the Sooners still will be counting on guys that Stoops criticized in March. Bradford's Heisman campaign and OU's national championship hopes depend heavily on the line play.
2. Alabama: Three starters and two NFL picks – tackle Andre Smith (first round) and center Antoine Caldwell (third round) – are gone from a group that unquestionably was the Tide's offensive strength last season. Without Smith, Alabama struggled offensively against Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Junior college transfer James Carpenter showed promise in replacing Smith this spring, but there are questions at center. Quarterback Greg McElroy will be a first-time starter, so solid line play is even more crucial.
3. Penn State: The Lions must replace three starters from one of the best lines in the country. Two of them were taken in the NFL draft. Stefen Wisniewski moves from guard to center to fill the void left by A.Q. Shipley, while sophomores DeOn'tae Pannell (tackle) and Matt Stankiewitch (guard) are expected to take over starting roles. The Lions also must replace their top three receivers, so a strong running game is vital.
4. Arizona State: The Sun Devils have allowed a combined 89 sacks in the past two seasons and could not establish a consistent running game last season – and that was with experienced Rudy Carpenter at quarterback. Seldom-used Danny Sullivan is the starter this season. An unproven quarterback and a leaky line sound like a disaster waiting to happen. Three starters are back, though Garth Gerhart is moving from guard to center.
5. Notre Dame: Four starters are back, but is that a good thing? Notre Dame averaged less than 110 rushing yards to rank 100th nationally in rushing offense – and that's while facing nine opponents that ranked 50th or worse in rushing defense. The Irish lost three games in which they had the lead in the fourth quarter, partly because they couldn't run to protect the advantage. Notre Dame has a good passing attack, but the Irish will struggle until the line shows it can man up and get a consistent push.
6. Oregon: The Ducks were among the nation's leaders in rushing offense in each of the past two seasons – when they had a strong, proven line. NFL draft picks Max Unger and Fenuki Tupou are among four lost starters who may be replaced by freshmen and sophomores. Will quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LeGarrette Blount be as explosive behind a new set of blockers?
7. West Virginia: Tackle Selvish Capers is the only fulltime returning starter from a line that helped pave the way for one of the country's most dynamic offenses. The loss of All-Big East tackle Ryan Stanchek leaves a big hole, as does losing guard Greg Isdaner, a three-year starter. New starters, such as sophomore guard Josh Jenkins - who was a highly regarded recruit - have high standards to meet. In addition, the Mountaineers no longer have the elusive Pat White at quarterback, which puts more emphasis on the blockers up front.
8. Texas A&M: The Aggies are good at the skill positions, but they've been atrocious up front. Consider this: Last season, the Aggies ranked 114th nationally in rushing offense and 115th nationally in sacks allowed, and that was with mobile quarterbacks. Three fulltime starters are back and Matt Allen - a transfer from LSU - has taken over at one guard spot, so maybe the blocking will improve. If it doesn't, the Aggies are facing another losing season.
9. Tennessee: Center Josh McNeil, guard Vladimir Richard and tackle Chris Scott are returning starters from a line that was average at best last season. Will it be any better this season? Volunteer quarterbacks were sacked 25 times and the running game was largely ineffective in '08.
10. BYU: The offensive line was one of the strengths for the Cougars in '08, but freshman All-America tackle Matt Reynolds is the only returning starter up front. Senior R.J. Willing, a career backup at tackle, moves into the starting lineup at center. The Cougars are strong at the skill positions with quarterback Max Hall, running back Harvey Unga and tight end Dennis Pitta, but somebody has to block for them.