O-line could be BSU's best ever
Colledge leads experienced group that runs eight deep
08-22-2005
Here's an eye-popping goal, even for the reach-for-the-stars Boise State football team.
Broncos offensive line coach Chris Strausser hopes to insert his second-team line ? the entire five-man group ? in the middle of a game this season.
And he's not talking about a blowout.
Coach Dan Hawkins says this year's line could be the best in school history, and its depth is as much the reason as its first-line talent.
Strausser considers eight linemen game ready, and figures two more will reach that point this year.
"I'm not talking about a hockey shift every 5 minutes," Strausser said, "but just getting those guys involved in the game so when they're shot comes they're ready."
The starting line consists of one senior All-American (left tackle Daryn Colledge), two sophomore guards who started last year (Tad Miller and Pete Cavender), a sophomore center who started at right tackle last year (Jeff Cavender) and a 6-foot-6, 310-pound freshman tackle who could be the next dominant BSU lineman (Ryan Clady).
Backup tackles Ryan Keating and Tony Volponi and backup center Jadon Dailey also could play, Strausser said, and he hopes guards Andrew Woodruff, Jeff Biedermann and possibly Joe Wiegand, who has a knee injury, will be ready soon.
The group will get a severe test in the season opener Sept. 3 at No. 13 Georgia.
"The work ethic I do believe is better than it's ever been in this group," said Strausser, who joined the BSU staff in 2001. "They all care. For the first time since I've been here, everybody I have in my group I think at some point (in their careers) has a shot to play."
Colledge, who played on a stellar line in 2002 with Scott Huff, Rob Vian, Matt Navest and Rusty Colburn/Jason Turner, isn't ready to call this year's the best.
But he does like the future, with four of the starters slated to return in 2006 and 2007.
"This is a line that's only going to get better and better," he said.
The 2002 line was the last to accomplish Strausser's other goal for the Broncos' big men ? to be known as the most physical line in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Broncos struggled in that regard in 2003 and were better last year, when they rushed for 229.8 yards per game and 49 touchdowns.
"Our No. 1 goal is to go out there and dominate the line of scrimmage," Strausser said.
That should be easier than usual this year with a line that averages about 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds.
Plus, these guys can move, an essential element to play for Strausser.
"We've got big guys with good hands and quick feet," Miller said. "If we keep on doing what we're doing, listening to Coach, we should do pretty good."
The biggest difference in this year's line is the experience. Last year, two freshmen started all year and Pete Cavender job-shared with senior M.J. Ansel.
This year, Clady is the only newcomer.
"Those guys have all been in pressure situations," Colledge said of the sophomore trio. "I know in a game they can get it done."
Clady will be the mystery. He still must improve his consistency, but Strausser cited "unique athletic ability" for giving him the job over Keating.
Clady is quiet, but coachable.
"He's a very likeable guy," Strausser said. "They enjoy having him out there. He will listen to whatever they say."
If he executes what they tell him, this line could be scary good.
Hawkins likes the versatility, with Jeff Cavender's switch from tackle to center serving as Exhibit A.
"You're looking at a lot of really good players, and a lot of flexibility," Hawkins said.
So at some point this year, don't be surprised if Hawkins lets Strausser send the twos on the field for a series.
"If we're good enough to pull that off," Hawkins said, "it would probably have some merit because those guys get worn down."
Who knows. Maybe the Broncos will start a trend.
====
O-line starters
? Right tackle: Ryan Clady (6-6, 310, fr.) ? Clady beat out Ryan Keating for the job during fall camp. His imposing size gives him huge potential.
? Right guard: Pete Cavender (6-2, 289, so.) ? He shared the job with senior M.J. Ansel last year, and gets it full time this year.
? Center: Jeff Cavender (6-2, 287, so.) ? He slides from right tackle to center, which is more suited to his size.
? Left guard: Tad Miller (6-4, 303, so.) ? Bishop Kelly High product brings a little nastiness to the line. He plays through the whistle, not to it.
? Left tackle: Daryn Colledge (6-5, 298, sr.) ? He was named a 2004 All-American by Collegefootballnews, and he's on the watch lists this year for the Outland Award and Rotary Lombardi Award. He also can make himself a bunch of money by increasing his physical play and climbing the NFL Draft board.
Colledge leads experienced group that runs eight deep
08-22-2005
Here's an eye-popping goal, even for the reach-for-the-stars Boise State football team.
Broncos offensive line coach Chris Strausser hopes to insert his second-team line ? the entire five-man group ? in the middle of a game this season.
And he's not talking about a blowout.
Coach Dan Hawkins says this year's line could be the best in school history, and its depth is as much the reason as its first-line talent.
Strausser considers eight linemen game ready, and figures two more will reach that point this year.
"I'm not talking about a hockey shift every 5 minutes," Strausser said, "but just getting those guys involved in the game so when they're shot comes they're ready."
The starting line consists of one senior All-American (left tackle Daryn Colledge), two sophomore guards who started last year (Tad Miller and Pete Cavender), a sophomore center who started at right tackle last year (Jeff Cavender) and a 6-foot-6, 310-pound freshman tackle who could be the next dominant BSU lineman (Ryan Clady).
Backup tackles Ryan Keating and Tony Volponi and backup center Jadon Dailey also could play, Strausser said, and he hopes guards Andrew Woodruff, Jeff Biedermann and possibly Joe Wiegand, who has a knee injury, will be ready soon.
The group will get a severe test in the season opener Sept. 3 at No. 13 Georgia.
"The work ethic I do believe is better than it's ever been in this group," said Strausser, who joined the BSU staff in 2001. "They all care. For the first time since I've been here, everybody I have in my group I think at some point (in their careers) has a shot to play."
Colledge, who played on a stellar line in 2002 with Scott Huff, Rob Vian, Matt Navest and Rusty Colburn/Jason Turner, isn't ready to call this year's the best.
But he does like the future, with four of the starters slated to return in 2006 and 2007.
"This is a line that's only going to get better and better," he said.
The 2002 line was the last to accomplish Strausser's other goal for the Broncos' big men ? to be known as the most physical line in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Broncos struggled in that regard in 2003 and were better last year, when they rushed for 229.8 yards per game and 49 touchdowns.
"Our No. 1 goal is to go out there and dominate the line of scrimmage," Strausser said.
That should be easier than usual this year with a line that averages about 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds.
Plus, these guys can move, an essential element to play for Strausser.
"We've got big guys with good hands and quick feet," Miller said. "If we keep on doing what we're doing, listening to Coach, we should do pretty good."
The biggest difference in this year's line is the experience. Last year, two freshmen started all year and Pete Cavender job-shared with senior M.J. Ansel.
This year, Clady is the only newcomer.
"Those guys have all been in pressure situations," Colledge said of the sophomore trio. "I know in a game they can get it done."
Clady will be the mystery. He still must improve his consistency, but Strausser cited "unique athletic ability" for giving him the job over Keating.
Clady is quiet, but coachable.
"He's a very likeable guy," Strausser said. "They enjoy having him out there. He will listen to whatever they say."
If he executes what they tell him, this line could be scary good.
Hawkins likes the versatility, with Jeff Cavender's switch from tackle to center serving as Exhibit A.
"You're looking at a lot of really good players, and a lot of flexibility," Hawkins said.
So at some point this year, don't be surprised if Hawkins lets Strausser send the twos on the field for a series.
"If we're good enough to pull that off," Hawkins said, "it would probably have some merit because those guys get worn down."
Who knows. Maybe the Broncos will start a trend.
====
O-line starters
? Right tackle: Ryan Clady (6-6, 310, fr.) ? Clady beat out Ryan Keating for the job during fall camp. His imposing size gives him huge potential.
? Right guard: Pete Cavender (6-2, 289, so.) ? He shared the job with senior M.J. Ansel last year, and gets it full time this year.
? Center: Jeff Cavender (6-2, 287, so.) ? He slides from right tackle to center, which is more suited to his size.
? Left guard: Tad Miller (6-4, 303, so.) ? Bishop Kelly High product brings a little nastiness to the line. He plays through the whistle, not to it.
? Left tackle: Daryn Colledge (6-5, 298, sr.) ? He was named a 2004 All-American by Collegefootballnews, and he's on the watch lists this year for the Outland Award and Rotary Lombardi Award. He also can make himself a bunch of money by increasing his physical play and climbing the NFL Draft board.
