TicketsFootball Outlook: Offensive Line
Contact: Tom Hathaway
8/14/2004
Kyle Takavitz |
With starters returning at four of the five positions, the offensive line is a bastion of experience.
Kyle Takavitz, a two year starter who played at left guard in 2003, heads up the veteran cast which includes Steve Eastlake at right tackle, Matt Mercer at right guard and Clint Stickdorn at right tackle. All are fifth-year seniors.
The team's lone vacancy was at center, with the departure of three-year starter Josh Shneyderov. Joel Yakovac had the edge over Matt Webster for the starting assignment there when spring drills concluded.
The line is by no means set. The coaching staff plans to explore the abilities of several of the line candidates to play at a variety of positions to get the best five performers on the field.
Stickdorn is probably the surest bet to return at the position which he took over early in the 2003 season. In addition to being the largest (6-6, 327) lineman, he is also the most complete, excelling in both run blocking and pass protection.
Takavitz, a returning team captain and leader of the group, will be at left guard, where he earned first team All-C-USA honors last fall, He could be used at left tackle, a position at which he started in 2002.
Mercer, who also saw starting time at center last year, is another who could help at another position. He's the strongest member of the blocking force.
The wildcard in this mix is Adam Shorter, whose aggressive play and overall knowledge of the system makes it difficult to keep him off the field. The senior is projected as a guard but he will contribute at center.
Other emerging candidates are second-year freshman Digger Bujnoch, who possesses good overall athletic ability; third-year sophomores Frank Straub and Jeff Reinstatler; and junior Ryan Brown, a backup in 2003 until felled by a knee injury.
Left Tackle:
2003 Starter: Steve Eastlake (6-5, 294 Sr.)
Returning Vets: Digger Bujnoch (6-4, 272 Fr.), Jeremy Bolton (6-5, 310 Fr.)
Newcomer: Khalil El-Amin (6-5, 310 Fr.)
Left Guard
2003 Starter: Kyle Takavitz (6-4, 311 Sr.)
Returning Vets: Adam Shorter (6-6, 292 Sr.), Ryan Brown (6-2, 287 Jr.), Chris Flores (6-2, 268 Fr)
Center
2003 Starter: Josh Shneyderov (graduated)
Returning Vets: Joel Yakovac (6-2, 288 Jr.), Matt Webster (6-3, 284 Jr.)
Newcomer: Trevor Canfield (6-5, 300 Fr.)
Right Guard
2003 Starter: Matt Mercer (6-3, 320 Sr.)
Returning Vets: Jeff Reinstatler (6-2, 287 So.), Jon Tobin (6-3, 290 Fr.), Jon Newton (6-3, 270 Fr.)
Right Tackle
2003 Starter: Clint Stickdorn (6-6, 327 Sr.)
Returning Vets: Jeremy Schlicher (6-5, 301 Sr.), Frank Straub (6-6, 311 So.)
Newcomer: JP Simon (6-6, 310 So.)