The practice reports Justin filed have already given us a lot of insight into Pitt’s offensive line. The left side with Adam Bisnowaty and Cory King is stronger in run support. The line actually has some depth this year. I don’t want to say I feel good about the O-line, but I feel a lot better about than I have for the first time since 2009.
The depth helps. It means guys like Cory King and Matt Rotheram are able to play at their guard positions. Where they fit best and are much more comfortable.
After they moved from tackle to guard — where their wide bodies are better suited — the expectations also are bigger.
“If you ask Cory,” Hueber said, “he is happy he doesn’t have to worry about those wide rushes (from the defensive ends).”
When told about the move at the end of last season, King admitted, “It was kind of relief.”
Rotheram played both positions as a redshirt freshman in 2011 before suffering a season-ending ankle fracture at midseason. He played tackle last season because Pitt had a manpower shortage, but he understands guard is where he belongs.
“At tackle, sometimes you are on an island, and it’s not as good to be a big-body guy out there,” he said. “I did what I had to do to get on the field and put our team in the best position to win.”
Both guards are of the size and bulk that Coach Chryst wants on the offensive line.
That size on either side of the center is likely a factor in Artie Rowell having an increased chance of being the starting center despite being “undersized.”
At 6 feet 2, Rowell seems better suited for a spread offense that has him moving around more, but Hueber said he added 35 pounds since coach Paul Chryst’s staff arrived in 2012 and has become a viable option in Pitt’s pro-style offense.
“Here’s a guy that came in, really didn’t know what to expect from us,” Hueber said. “I talked to him, told him it’s going to be hard to play with the style of offense we’re playing if you’re going to be 270 pounds. Now he’s about 305, he’s the first guy here, he studies tape, he’s done everything he could do to put him in a position to compete and a chance to run with the ones.”
Rowell said he knew it would take a little extra hard work to fit into the offense, but didn’t shy away from the challenge.
“When adversity hits you, what are you going to do, run away from it?” Rowell said. “Or are you going to stand up to it and fight it?”
The thing to remember is that Rowell wasn’t recruited for the spread, though, he was recruited by Dave Wannstedt. They knew at the time that he wasn’t “ideal” for the spot. But, as we are learning from the way he has worked, practiced and trained — he has a hell of a will to play. Perhaps even more importantly, he is still the only player on the team that actually was experienced in high school at playing center, and played center well.
That knowledge of the position and drive to know more is making a difference.
“He’s the first guy here (in the morning),” Hueber said. “He studies tape. He’s done everything he could do to put himself into a position to compete.”
The competition will continue through practice Saturday at Heinz Field to the last week of camp that runs through Thursday.
“Gabe is big. He has a chance to be a real physical player,” Hueber said of the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Roberts, who never played center until this spring.
“Artie bends a lot better, probably runs a little bit better for some of the stuff we are doing. And both of them have done a good job in pass protection.”
Coach Paul Chryst, who recruited Roberts last year, appreciates what Rowell has accomplished to this point.
“He’s a smart guy, smart enough to know what you need to do to get better,” he said.
It’s still not clear who will be the starting center. Roberts got to practice with the first team yesterday. This doesn’t appear to be a case where Coach Chryst is just saying there is a competition while already knowing the answer. There is a legitimate question at this spot.
Where there doesn’t appear to be a competition any longer is at the right tackle, where T.J. Clemmings has all but officially locked down the starting job.
Clemmings, though, saw the work he put in over the spring and summer start to pay off.
“I would say I’ve come a long way,” he said. “Still got a long ways to go, but, from spring until now, I feel like I’ve had a big improvement as far as football IQ and what’s going on on the field.
“Really knowing or understanding what I’m looking at, what’s going on, so, when I come out on the field, I can continue to play fast, because you can’t play fast if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s my main thing.”
Clemmings’ progress might allow the coaching staff to give [Dorian] Johnson a valuable redshirt year. Even though he’s likely able to play right away, it never hurts to give an offensive lineman an extra year of strength and conditioning. And, while Clemmings seems like a good bet to be the starting right tackle for Pitt’s season opener Sept. 2 against Florida State, he isn’t taking anything for granted.
“I’m never going to feel like I’ve done enough,” he said. “I want to keep improving more and more everyday. Really, there’s never any job that feels secure.”
Juantez Hollins, who was suspended all of last year, has not been able to reclaim the starting job. Hollins can play at either tackle position.
Basically Pitt actually has some depth at tackle, guard (Ryan Schlieper) and center. And unlike the last couple years, it isn’t the same player at all three spots. What an odd concept.
Crazy to think a guy who’s 6’1″ 250 or 260 is undersized for anything, but college football is a tough game.
I’m sure Johnson will have a good career.
EJ’s assistant Ted will ask the media at each practice who they want to talk to. They’ll make their requests and then everyone stands around and asks questions of the players and coaches requested, even if you didn’t ask for them.
The players who give the better interviews (or are invovled in the more interesting scenarios) will get articles written by all of the media sources. When I was at practice I bundled it all into one report, but the media guys will do one on practice and then 2 or 3 interviews to turn into short columns.
I’d rather write everything at once, but when you’re a professional, you need to put out more columns for more page views.
For the first time in a number of years, the overall tone sounds a bit better as it pertains to the OL. Whether that translates into success against the Noles remains to be seen, but one has to feel better about what we have going into this season.
I hope TJ has a great season…his Pitt career thus far could be summarized as “unrealized potential”. It would be nice to see him withguidance from a good staff, help him be what he can be.
And aren’t we all thrilled that King and Rothertham will get a chance to play where they should…I still wince when thinking of edge rushers having their way with them last yr.
Like you said, injuries happen, but if the OTs stay healthy, we could be afforded the luxury of DJ getting a redshirt.
@Comment by pk 08.22.13 @ 8:13 am
If Clemmings excels this year, and proves he can play, then there is no reason not to let DJ play 2014 @ RG. It’s about getting the best 5 on the field, so let him play guard for a year, then move him out to tackle in 2015.
Not that it matters though, because you’re right… FSU in 11 more days!
Or even match Sammy Watkins Freshman campaign with 82 catches, 1219 yards, 12 TDs, with 32 carries for 231 yards?
Is it setting the bar too high? Kid seems like he likes to be challenged.
Spread the passes to Street, Boyd, Tight ends, and backs.
Go with what is working on any given day. Don’t be afraid to pass on any down. Run it down their throats if they can’t stop it.
Although I hate the bubble screen, Boyd might make it work.
It will be different to throw down field, I read Savage completed one to Street this week, 60 yds in the air. That’s what we have been missing.
This is the time of year to dream big.
We will find out how “fast” the O line can play in 2 weeks as FSU will put us to the test. Nice to start seeing depth. This should help out a soft RB field and allow for some pass protection.
I am a little concerned about overall length. Are most of these OLman 6-2? 6-5 is good but 6-2 isn’t a great. Need long arm on the OL
72 Carson Baker OG FR 6-5/280 Fairborn, OH (Fairborn)
58 Kevin Barthelemy LS RS SR 6-3/245 Moon Township, PA (Moon Area)
69 Adam Bisnowaty OT RS FR 6-6/275 Pittsburgh, PA (Fox Chapel)
68 T.J. Clemmings OT RS JR 6-6/290 Teaneck, NJ (Patterson Catholic)
62 John Guy OT RS FR 6-7/285 Somerville, MA (New Hampton School (N.H.))
70 Juantez Hollins OT RS SR 6-5/330 Aliquippa, PA (Aliquippa)
53 Dorian Johnson OT FR 6-5/290 Belle Vernon, PA (Belle Vernon)
64 Shane Johnson OG RS JR 6-5/325 Fort Washington, MD (DeMatha Catholic)
75 Jaryd Jones-Smith OT FR 6-7/295 Voorhees, NJ (West Catholic (PA))
78 Cory King OG RS SR 6-6/325 Stoneboro, PA (Lakeview)
67 David Murphy LS RS SO 6-1/230 Orchard Park, NY (St. Francic)
63 Alex Officer C FR 6-4/290 Rochester, NY (Eastridge)
61 Pat Quirin LS RS FR 6-1/225 Pittsburgh, PA (Central Catholic)
60 Aaron Reese OG FR 6-5/300 Chambersburg, PA (Chambersburg)
71 Gabe Roberts C RS FR 6-5/295 New London, WI (New London)
74 Matt Rotheram OG RS JR 6-6/335 North Olmstead, OH (North Olmsted)
57 Artie Rowell C RS SO 6-2/300 Harrisburg, PA (Central Dauphin)
76 Ryan Schlieper OG RS SR 6-5/310 Wexford, PA (North Allegheny
Then with both King and Rotherham returning to their natural guard spots, their stock goes way up too. The benefit of having played the Tackle spot will be enormous for both of them and that experience will be able to be imparted to Biz and TJ as the line plays more together. King and Rotherham could almost be viewed as on the field coaches initially for these new guys at tackle, while they get their feet under themselves in early season.
With a little luck, staying healthy, this group could develop into a scarey good OL by midseason. A lot will be learned in the FSU game. If this new group performs well right out of the starting blocks against them, then we could be in for the luxury of a solid running game without having a featured RB and a QB who might be able to have enough time to go through his pass progressions before getting sacked a half dozen times each game. PRICELESS!
I for one really enjoy his movies and his comic talents.
thanks for the post about the demographics on the OL. I am relieved to see so many 6-5 boys! One 6-2 guy is ok.
wait a sec, who cares about 2014!? fsu in 11 days!!!