Rebuilding the Pipeline?
3 comments so far
March 21, 2008 by
There is a lot of good buzz about NU's potential along the offensive line as spring ball gets underway. And for those seeking resurgence of the Husker football team, evaluating the offensive line is the right place to start. Quality and depth along the offensive line keyed title runs in the 1990s. Following that time, injuries, recruiting misses, and offensive transitions created what we at BRN not-so-lovingly refer to as "O-line Hell" for NU. The situation really came to a head in 2004. But now, one full 4-year cycle later, it appears to be coming to an end.
Context
Everyone points to the 1994 and 1995 teams as the high point of Husker football, and for good reason. But, those offenses had less to do with the quarterbacks and running backs than with the offensive line. It had much more to do with NU's offensive lines, dubbed "The Pipeline." Remember, NU used three different quarterbacks in 1994, and a whole fleet of different starting running backs in 1995. In both cases, dominant offensive lines made them all look good.
Further, NU graduated it's entire starting line off of the 1994 squad, but didn't miss a beat in 1995. Why? Tommie Frazier and others were a big reason, sure. But, those 1995 starters played so much in 1994 they were ready to step in right away. Behold the mult-year marvel created by real offensive line depth.
Causes
So, how did NU's line depth deteriorate so much in the early part of this decade? Like so many other things, the lack of quality players and depth along the offensive line is never caused by just one thing, or coach. You can't just hang the whole thing on just "Solich recruiting." Sure, there were plenty of recruiting busts along the line in the Solich era. Remember the "Big Smooth", Jemayel Phillips? But, NU also suffered some very key health and injury situations at the turn of the century, too. Ryan Schuler and Jermaine Leslie both immediately spring to mind. Combine that with the seemingly inevitable suspension (Richie Incognito) or departure (Danny Muy), and it's a recipe for disaster.
The problems were only compounded by changes in offensive scheme - both Barney Cotton's scheme in 2003 and especially Bill Callahan's radical departure in 2004. Players have to be mentally ready to play, too. Thankfully, trends can be reversed. If you get a bumper crop of players who can stay healthy and stay on the team, an offensive line can get well fast. Ditto for having continuity in the offensive system.
Comparison
For the sake of comparison lets evaluate the 2004 offensive line to the projection for the 2008 season. Why that time span? Consider it the cycle of one group of players. In this case it is the class of players that includes current Huskers Lydon Murtha, Andy Christensen, and Mike Huff. Call it the Murtha cycle, if you like. For both 2004 and 2008 there are 18 scholarship linemen to consider. (In 2008's case, 14 on the roster now, and assuming 4 in the recruiting class). So, from a distance the numbers seem identical. Once you start evaluating the makeup of that unit, things appear much different.
2004
The 18 offensive linemen on the 2004 team included four freshman (not contributors), and three converted defensive linemen (Seppo Evwaraye, Jared Helming, and Chris Patrick). Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas arrived from JC not ready to play. Gary Pike, Cory Timm, Nick Povendo, and Newton Ligenfelter never made it off the lower units or scout team. Greg Austin was having his knee repaired.
That left NU with six offensive line contributors. Kurt Mann started at center as a sophomore, filling a gap made by Incognito being thrown off the team. That was a major drop off from arguably the team's best player to an undersized true sophomore. Evwaraye the converted DT held down one tackle spot. The rest of the starters were upperclassmen Dan Erickson, Brandon Koch and Jake Anderson. All of them were gutsy players, but none of them went on to play a down of professional ball. These same five players started every ball game in 2005. Their only real relief came from Darren Delone and Jared Helming occasionally coming off the bench. Throw in the conversion to the new Callahan offense, and it was tough sledding at times. To this day, I believe patching this group together was actually former line coach Dennis Wagner's finest work at NU.
2008
So, what about NU's 18 linemen in 2008? I'm going to assume the four newcomers won't play, though it is hard to rule out a talent like Baker Steinkuhler entirely. Two other players - Dennis Bergland and Cory Iske - seem unlike to contribute this year. So, the remaining twelve linemen have some shot to play. That's a very big pool of talent.
At the top of the list you have seniors Matt Slauson, Mike Huff, Lydon Murtha and Andy Christensen (assuming for a moment that he will play). Junior Jacob Hickman also has a lot of starting experience. After that, you have a stout class of sophomores, many with some game experience. This group includes Jaivario Burkes, Keith Williams, Mike Smith, DJ Jones, and Cruz Barrett. Several of those talented players could push upperclassmen for playing time and starting spots. In reserve, you have two developing prospects in Marcel Jones and Mike Maslin who were able to redshirt last season. That is what real depth looks like to me. The retention of Shawn Watson's offense ensures a little more consistency in terms of line calls and reads.
Conclusions
Plenty of players have the opportunity to develop along the offensive line this Spring. That should lead to fierce competition for playing time in the fall. All told, I would not be surprised one bit if NU was able to have nine contributors along the offensive line by the seasons end. This is a stark contrast from four years ago when they were trying to just put a unit together. If you want to be able to dominate the line of scrimmage and take over ball games late, the big guys have to be relatively fresh. For the first time in a long time, NU might have that going for them.
Caveat
Just to cover my rear end a little bit, you don't have to look any farther than the Andy Christensen situation to see how fast things can fall apart. Christensen is arguably NU's most talented offensive guard, and now he may not even play a down. For the "O-line Hell" to fully come to an end, players must stay healthy and eligible.
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mjm Mar 21 08
Like Darren said, they key to returning to greatness is a good o-line and d-line.
Dwayne Mar 21 08
I feel the inception of the shift downward on the line began with the early declaration to the draft of Dominic Raiola. Ever since then, the continuity seemed to be disrupted. Losing one guy for any reason hurts but losing a dominant anchor like him is even bigger.
Greg Morrow Mar 21 08
That was a fate filled walk down recent memory lane!
The heart of the team for decades, the formation that led the drum beat's march to battle, so to speak. Relentless effort and precision, based on well tested principles.
Really, once the pride of the program. Along with consistently being the most decorated group, the most academically achieving group, too. The embodiment of Husker pride, power.
No doubt, the unit's in so much of a better situation, than '04. I think '07 was finally the year that the fog of confusion was lifted off the line. The team could have ran more productively, if Callahan didn't have the pressure to match TD for TD. Pass pro was pretty good, I thought. This years o-line may drop off some and the team overall should still be much better. A more aggressive feel.
Those '04 and '05 seasons were almost unfair, for the line and quarterbacks. Zac shoud have been awarded some type of courageous valor award, for '05.