I thought something like this wouldn't happen until maybe next season, ... I know how hard it is for offensive linemen to break in on this level. Getting back to my natural position has really been a blessing for me. I'm much more comfortable now.
Quotes about linemen (16 Quotes)
You look for guys in the 280-290 range, players who look like they can carry 300-plus comfortably, and you look for athletic ability. We do a lot of movement and run a lot more screen passes in our offense than St. Cloud does. Our linemen have to run and pull more.
I don't talk much to offensive linemen in general.
In this business, guys get hurt and I think everybody else has to elevate their game. The defense has to play better, the quarterbacks are going to have to play better, the linemen are going to have to play better.
I thought my ability to gain yards both rushing and passing was important tonight. Green Bay was ... double-covering some of the receivers and only rushing four linemen, so it's important for a quarterback to use his speed against that kind of defense.
Damon was in the zone. I was talking with the other linemen and we saw it in Damon's eyes. We said, 'Number 9 is in the zone.' Man, was he on and it couldn't come at a better time. He's been in the league for 20 years. You know when he's on and when he's not on by his eyes, his body language, his play calling. It was contagious. He's not just the MVP of this game. He's the MVP of this league, hands down.
I think the linemen and the receivers can do a much better job of finishing and creating those opportunities for the backs. Then again, it's also the backs as well. Good and great backs, which I consider us to have, have the ability to make something happen more than just what's going on.
I think most offensive linemen are very and I don't mean this in a bad way mean, vicious people. They have to be because they play the most aggressive position on the field and we need to have that attitude and set the tempo of the game and get after the defense.
We should be ahead of the game with our quarterback back and all of our linemen back. We have to continue to get better. We want to build confidence and grow. And then we have to find receivers who will make plays. I think we have great candidates in that regard. The big factor for us is right down the middle with the front seven (on defense).
Wofford runs a wishbone attack similar to Navy and Air Force. Their offensive linemen aren't as big, but they get on you and cut block a lot, ... They get low and get on your knees.
He is as hard of a working lineman as I've been around. Offensive linemen are usually that way, but he kind of goes over the edge in his work ethic. He is tremendously strong, very bright and he really wants it every play, every down. His ability to focus in is really very amazing.
Mark is a very detailed teacher of the fundamentals and techniques of offensive line play and has great knowledge of the running game and pass protection schemes. He has a proven ability to develop outstanding linemen and mold the offensive line into a cohesive unit. Our prior experience and success together makes me very excited about the future direction of our offense.
I had pro offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, who were pretty hard up for linemen in those days. If I had gone into professional football the name Jerry Ford might have been a household word today.
It means Notre Dame is once again becoming a major force in college recruiting after a 10-year absence. They beat all the top national programs to get Young. He will be the anchor of the best class of incoming offensive linemen in the nation. He is very active and aggressive. He has all the ingredients to be a left tackle at a major program.
Our offensive linemen have decent size. The 2000 state championship team averaged 260 pounds up front. We're pretty close to that average (257 pounds) this year.
Ultimately, it still boils down to execution. Our guys have to get open, the quarterback has to find them, and the linemen have to give them the benefit of protection. We'll have to hope they don't hit us with the stuff that we haven't seen already because that element of surprise can sometimes create a sack for the other team.