If you’re reading this column, chances are you watched Spartan football last year. Additionally, if you watched Spartan football last year, please don’t look at me (not that you can right now) bug-eyed with your jaw dropping to the floor when I say the following: The offensive line is the key to this football team and no, you don’t need to panic.
With a new quarterback, healthy running backs and an overhaul in offensive mentality from passing to a shove-it-down-their-opponents’-throats running game, the offensive line will dictate how this season goes.
Yes, the offensive line.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Obviously, this blanket statement will sit with MSU fans just as well as an epileptic at a Pink Floyd LaserSpectacular concert — which conveniently plays at the DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Road in Clarkston, tonight. An explanation is more than appropriate for such an outlandish remark.
Juniors Jesse Miller and Roland Martin are back to anchor the right side while seniors Mike Gyetvai (who is out for about another month with a shoulder injury), Kenny Shane and Pete Clifford compete for spots on the left side. Essentially, this is the same problematic offensive line that allowed 28 sacks last season, which was just a few less than Wisconsin and Illinois in the Big Ten.
But that was last season, which nobody is concerned with (as we all try to throw our memories of Notre Dame and Illinois into a lockbox never to be opened again). One of the only positives from last year is that these players gained experience and more determination than one of Michael Vick’s fighting dogs could ever dream of.
There were signs of life from this offensive line last season, which should translate into this one. When junior running back Javon Ringer was healthy, he averaged a hefty 5.8 yards per carry. When Ringer went down, though, the offensive game plan became even more pass-friendly and may have hindered the offensive line.
With the speedy Ringer back in the fold, the Spartans have their deadly one-two backfield punch when senior heavyweight Jehuu Caulcrick is factored in. It’s the perfect change-of-pace running back tandem that could have both producing career numbers. I only hypothesize that Ringer and Caulcrick might have career years because that will be decided by the offensive line.
Junior quarterback Brian Hoyer will have his face in the grass more than the Portland Trail Blazers if the offensive line doesn’t improve in pass protection. Former starting quarterback Drew Stanton possessed the ability to roll out of the pocket or take off and run once his blocking broke down, but the inexperienced Hoyer doesn’t have that speed and will need all the time he can get to sit back and throw.
Granted, Hoyer will be receiving more help from his running backs this year in MSU head coach Mark Dantonio’s new offensive scheme. This revamped game plan calls for more running plays and play action passes, which will keep defenses on their toes.
The game plan won’t work, though, if the offensive line doesn’t hold up in the running game.
What it comes down to is this team won’t succeed if the offensive line falters. Still, we should have confidence in them.
Take a step back – relax. It’s all going to be OK.
Zack Colman is a State News football reporter. You can reach him at colmanz1@msu.edu.
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