2008 Woodie Awards
Football coaches concerned with offensive line depth
By Greg Reedy
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 4/8/05 Section: Sports
For any football team, the wide receivers and the offensive line are the players that line up on the line of scrimmage on every play in any game.
But for the Rock, that line looks uncertain as spring practice continues.
Coach George Mihalik said he feels the biggest concern with the offensive line position, but not because of talent.
"Our offensive line is a big problem for us right now," Mihalik said. "The guys we need to practice can't because of injury.
The players Mihalik spoke about include Ryan Travis, who is out with a broken foot and is also coming off knee surgery, Mike Butterworth, who is coming off knee surgery and Bob Sowa, who Mihalik said had health-related problems.
"Unfortunately, when everybody's healthy we only have nine guys practicing," Mihalik said. "Usually, in the spring we have 12-15."
Some of the players that will compete in the spring for playing time in the fall include Myles Arnold and Frank Isenberg who will compete along with Travis for the center job. At the right guard position, Sowa, Bron Clauser and Dylan Snyder are in spring camp looking to impress while Butterworth, Dave Mulvihill and Joe Klipa are three of the players looking to make an impact at the tackle position. On the left side of the line, Noah Richards and Don Harbison will be returning for their senior seasons. Mihalik said Richards and Harbison will have to lead the offensive line.
"It's a huge responsibility," Mihalik said. "It's one they should be ready to accept."
With the wide receivers and tight ends, competition will be tight. Some new players will be making a position over to wide receiver in the spring. A.J. Ruperto, a quarterback from last season and Paul Favers, a defensive back, will be playing wide receiver this spring.
"We talk to the players and explain why we are doing it," Mihalik said. "Basically, we felt that they could make things happen with the ball. They also give us a dimension of speed at the wide receiver position."
But for the Rock, that line looks uncertain as spring practice continues.
Coach George Mihalik said he feels the biggest concern with the offensive line position, but not because of talent.
"Our offensive line is a big problem for us right now," Mihalik said. "The guys we need to practice can't because of injury.
The players Mihalik spoke about include Ryan Travis, who is out with a broken foot and is also coming off knee surgery, Mike Butterworth, who is coming off knee surgery and Bob Sowa, who Mihalik said had health-related problems.
"Unfortunately, when everybody's healthy we only have nine guys practicing," Mihalik said. "Usually, in the spring we have 12-15."
Some of the players that will compete in the spring for playing time in the fall include Myles Arnold and Frank Isenberg who will compete along with Travis for the center job. At the right guard position, Sowa, Bron Clauser and Dylan Snyder are in spring camp looking to impress while Butterworth, Dave Mulvihill and Joe Klipa are three of the players looking to make an impact at the tackle position. On the left side of the line, Noah Richards and Don Harbison will be returning for their senior seasons. Mihalik said Richards and Harbison will have to lead the offensive line.
"It's a huge responsibility," Mihalik said. "It's one they should be ready to accept."
With the wide receivers and tight ends, competition will be tight. Some new players will be making a position over to wide receiver in the spring. A.J. Ruperto, a quarterback from last season and Paul Favers, a defensive back, will be playing wide receiver this spring.
"We talk to the players and explain why we are doing it," Mihalik said. "Basically, we felt that they could make things happen with the ball. They also give us a dimension of speed at the wide receiver position."
