Zuttah speaking out

Discussion in 'College Football' started by JCB, Oct 12, 2007.

  1. JCB

    JCB The Savage Nation

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    "PISCATAWAY &ndash; Anthony Davis needed to know which Jeremy Zuttah was talking.</p>

    Apparently there are two Jeremy Zuttahs. And Davis said he couldn't guess the reason the senior right tackle said he, a freshman right guard, isn't starting without knowing which one it was.</p>
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    There's a Mean Jeremy?</p>

    "It's only because he's tough on himself too," Davis said quickly, before he signed himself up for another harangue at Zuttah's hands. "Jeremy wants us all to be better."</p>

    He's not the only one.</p>

    Of all the growing pains Rutgers has suffered through this disappointing 3-2 start, perhaps the most surprising has been along the offensive line. Despite losing two starters, it was billed as one of football's best, with two all-league tackles back and Davis, the most hyped recruit in Rutgers' history, set to slide in. Instead, it's forced Zuttah to grow a mean side.</p>

    "It's about our credibility," Zuttah said, "as an offensive line."</p>

    For the first time in two years, that line has sprung leaks. For the first time in three years, Ray Rice has a three-game streak of sub-100-yard outings. The junior was dropped for no gain, or for negative yardage, 10 times by Cincinnati on Saturday. And Mike Teel, who was sacked a nation-low eight times last season, has been taken down behind the line of scrimmage four times these last two weeks.</p>

    Five games in, it's clear expectations that this line could match last year's were a tad lofty. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Zuttah's "playing the best football of his career," and Rice said all three of the returners &ndash; Zuttah, left tackle Pedro Sosa and left guard Mike Fladell &ndash; "are all playing the best football of their careers." But they're only three of five.</p>

    Former center Darnell Stapleton now wears a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform and the freakishly strong Cam Stephenson now pulls a paycheck from the Green Bay Packers. Two sophomores with scant experience and growing bodies have replaced them -- Ryan Blazczyk at center and Kevin Haslam at right guard -- and Schiano openly admitted both have been overpowered at times.</p>

    Only now, while the coach generously said Blazczyk "is battling," and promised Haslam "has all the makings of being a great offensive lineman," Zuttah said he's done cutting his linemates any slack. It's about technique and will, he said, because "the guys that are out there are more than capable -- you can see it when they do make exceptional blocks." Besides, Zuttah went on, "You're not going to find too many people strength-wise like Cam."</p>

    Well, maybe not yet, but Davis shows that potential. The 6-foot-6 baby-faced behemoth has taken 40 pounds off the 366 he reported to camp with. He said he's moving "100 percent" better and where the lean, long-limbed Haslam &ndash; who at 6-7, 280 is perhaps better suited to tackle &ndash; has to fight for every push, Davis makes upending defensive linemen look easy."</p>

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