Rutgers needs to toe line on offense

Discussion in 'College Football' started by JCB, Jan 13, 2008.

  1. JCB

    JCB The Savage Nation

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Greg Schiano knows where most people will focus their attention when Rutgers begins spring football practice in mid-March: At tailback, where there's suddenly a record-breaking void following Ray Rice's decision to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft.

    But the Knights' head coach will keep his eyes trained on an area of equal concern, one that took a hit the equivalent of losing a 2,012-yard rusher, which Rice was this past season.

    It's the offensive line, where Rutgers has to replace all-Big East tackles Jeremy Zuttah and Pedro Sosa and steady two-year starting guard Mike Fladell from its 8-5 team.

    One shift already is certain there: Freshman All-American Anthony Davis will move to tackle after playing his first year at guard, Schiano said. Beyond that, the coach mentioned true freshmen Caleb Ruch and Desmond Stapleton as potential solutions to a unit that counts center Ryan Blaszczyk as the only other returning starter.

    "(Offensive line coach) Kyle Flood and I have the same philosophy: Try to put the best five on the field, then six, then seven, with center being the position that might be the exception because it's a specialty," Schiano said. "But I think the young kids have come along. You can see Desmond Stapleton just by looking at him how he has changed his body. He's done an incredible job. Now he still needs to get stronger. But he is much improved. You look at Caleb Ruch."

    Another player expected to get a long look is incoming freshman Art Forst of Manasquan High. The 6-8, 290-pounder plans to enroll at Rutgers for the second semester later this month (QB classmate Steve Schimko likely will do the same), meaning he will be able to participate in spring practice while still maintaining his eligibility as a true freshman in the fall.</div>

    NJ.com
     

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