Position Breakdowns: Offensive Line
7 comments so far
May 2, 2008 by
Outlook: Nebraska’s offensive line hasn’t looked this deep in at least seven years and maybe ten or twelve. It’s still not as proven as past lines (e.g. Fonoti, Raiola, Hochstein, and Volk in 2000), but there’s clearly a number of good options at most every spot.
Incumbents: The Huskers can roll out five players with starting experience including tackles Lydon Murtha and Jaivorio Burkes, guards Matt Slauson and Mike Huff, and likely center Jacob Hickman who’s mostly been a guard prior to 2008.
Rising Stars: Keith Williams seems to be the most likely to displace a starter (and that would seem most likely to be Mike Huff at guard). Walk-on center Mike Caputo seems to be the walk-on most likely to displace a scholarship player on the two-deep.
In-The-Mix: D.J. Jones is sure to see time this year (at guard and perhaps at tackle). Mike Smith, in addition to tackle, guard, or even center, could also be used as a jumbo tight end in goal-line situations. Marcel Jones might need more seasoning but with his size and athleticism should at least get a taste of mop up duty.
Enigma: Andy Christensen has been a starter at guard and was perhaps NU’s best run blocker. But his July trial and Bo Pelini’s tough stance thus far toward the player make it highly questionable whether he’ll ever suit up again.
Odd Man Out?: Sophomore Cruz Barrett may become the only scholarship lineman (aside from those who have yet to arrive on campus) not to crack the two-deep. He’s still got time to climb the depth chart, but 2008 doesn’t appear likely to be a big year for him.
On The Horizon: Standout recruit Baker Steinkuhler may well be ready to contribute as a true freshman, but enough veteran talent should push him to the bench or to the defensive line. Tackles David Grant and Brandon Thompson seem likely to redshirt. Ricky Henry may also redshirt, but will then have just two years of eligibility remaining. He’s likely to become a center or guard.
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Ty Hughes May 02 08
It looks like we have a lot of horses, but I can't figure out how much of a strength our OL is. We had horses last year but weren't a good run blocking team. I think though the scheme has changed, because last year we zone blocked so it may have been the system more than anything. We need the OL to be strong though. What's the delay on Ricky Henry? i thought he was going to come in and challenge for a spot.
doombob May 02 08
I don't what to thing about breaking down different areas of our team. I like what I see on O-line in terms of depth and experience, but I thought the same things about our Linebackers last year. We were living in bizarro Husker world for quite a number of years now. Have we exited bizarro world yet? Who can tell...
Austin May 02 08
The sounds like it'll be good. I hope the guys don't get complacent and feel that their success is a given.
I'm wondering how our line stacks up against other O-lines in the Big 12. Also, how do you see them doing against the D-lines they will be facing this year?
Austin May 02 08
Oops! I meant "The O-line sounds like it'll be good."
Greg Morrow May 02 08
Not that Watson's some type of "guru," but all his experience is at the college level, with some quality seasons as his team's play caller. He credits Callahan much, with broadened, deeper knowledge of offense, (and that's great) but I'm sure he has his own concepts of how to set up big play opportunities and set the tempo of his offense. How to get his linemen in a momentum building rhythm as much as his quarterback.
The cloudy fog of underclassmen confusion is long gone now, with the 3 highly experienced guys and one guy, Jaivorio, who's almost big and strong enough like Fonoti, to just point him to whom he should block.
Like the entire backfield, you now have an entire college "generation" that knows this offense only. And if only from the previous season's offensive stats standpoint, (along with coping with a confidence shattered defense) it's reasonable to anticipate some good ball control and points scoring offense!
Jon Johnston May 03 08
The returners have 67 starts between them. The key is that they'll have to get off the ball faster than they did last season, especially since they're going to be a lot of drive blocking this coming season.
The blocking scheme won't change - it's not a matter of whether you always zone block or not - it's dependent upon the play and formation.
Put it this way. If this offensive line doesn't play up to the level they're capable of playing, this season will suck.
JBLING22 May 18 08
I disagree with the comment above about us not being able to block the run... We had a 1000 yard rusher in Marlon Lucky, and he wasn't even a featured solo back, he gave up alot of playing time to the younger backs... The fact of the matter is that our line was the only reason we won any games.... This should be the best the deepest line group we've had in many years, perhaps since the 90's, We have a lot more things to worry about this year than the line...