2008 Woodie Awards
Names on offense will be familiar in the spring game
By: Bill Bordewick
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Sports
With nearly every skill position player returning for the offensive unit, expectations are high for the 2008 version of Falcon football.
There is only one hurdle to overcome - replacing three starters on the offensive line.
Kory Lichtensteiger, Drew Nystrom and Kevin Huelsman are gone and will need to be replaced in order for the Falcons to duplicate last season's offensive success.
"We had a big loss on the o-line, losing three starters, but they have really improved over this year," said defensive end Michael Ream.
Ream has the ability to go up against the offensive line and he is expecting big things out of this coming season.
"MAC Champs - that's the goal every year," he said. "Hopefully we can get back to that MAC Championship and win it.
Winning that MAC Championship that Ream talks about is going to depend heavily on the development of the offensive line.
Brandon Curtis, Jeff Fink and Aaron Kent are now the elder statesmen of the group and the Falcons will need this group to be rock solid.
Last year behind Lichtensteiger, Nystrom and Huelsman, the Falcon offense put up over 400 yards per game and averaged 32 points per game. That was with inexperienced skill players at most positions and experience on the line.
This year the roles are reversed. The Falcon offense boasts some of the best playmakers in the MAC and the offensive line will be counted on to step up in order to get the ball in the hands of those playmakers.
"We have capable bodies [on the offensive line], some have just played more than others," said BG coach Gregg Brandon. "When we roll it out Aug. 30, we'll be ready - I have no reservations about that."
Tomorrow's spring game should give the fans a glimpse at what the offensive line can do but it will not be the end all be all.
"It's hard right now to develop the continuity," Brandon said. "When you play a spring game, you won't see the continuity."
The Falcons have their sights set high and to reach those lofty expectations for the season, they will need the offensive line to be just as good as in year's past.
There is only one hurdle to overcome - replacing three starters on the offensive line.
Kory Lichtensteiger, Drew Nystrom and Kevin Huelsman are gone and will need to be replaced in order for the Falcons to duplicate last season's offensive success.
"We had a big loss on the o-line, losing three starters, but they have really improved over this year," said defensive end Michael Ream.
Ream has the ability to go up against the offensive line and he is expecting big things out of this coming season.
"MAC Champs - that's the goal every year," he said. "Hopefully we can get back to that MAC Championship and win it.
Winning that MAC Championship that Ream talks about is going to depend heavily on the development of the offensive line.
Brandon Curtis, Jeff Fink and Aaron Kent are now the elder statesmen of the group and the Falcons will need this group to be rock solid.
Last year behind Lichtensteiger, Nystrom and Huelsman, the Falcon offense put up over 400 yards per game and averaged 32 points per game. That was with inexperienced skill players at most positions and experience on the line.
This year the roles are reversed. The Falcon offense boasts some of the best playmakers in the MAC and the offensive line will be counted on to step up in order to get the ball in the hands of those playmakers.
"We have capable bodies [on the offensive line], some have just played more than others," said BG coach Gregg Brandon. "When we roll it out Aug. 30, we'll be ready - I have no reservations about that."
Tomorrow's spring game should give the fans a glimpse at what the offensive line can do but it will not be the end all be all.
"It's hard right now to develop the continuity," Brandon said. "When you play a spring game, you won't see the continuity."
The Falcons have their sights set high and to reach those lofty expectations for the season, they will need the offensive line to be just as good as in year's past.
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