Spring Break
Often overlooked, the offensive line serves as ECU's backbone
Alex Serkes
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Sports
Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships and this perennial cliché of the sports world is commonly said and commonly known.
However, one of the most overlooked, unappreciated and flat out unaccredited factor to any football team is a team's offensive line.
Think for a second, if it weren't for a solid center snapping the ball, the quarterback would never touch the ball or have enough time to take his two, three or four step drop.
Instead, it is the guys in the trenches, the big boys doing the dirty work, those five men on the offensive line who make the difference in any game.
Tackles Willie Smith and D.J. Scott, alongside fellow guards Terrence Campbell, Cory Dowless and the center Sean Allen, get the job done week in and week out for the Pirates. The starting offensive guard Campbell talked about this factor in regards to not getting noticed as much as the other players on the offensive side of the ball.
"We're used to not receiving all the glory, but we know it is our job to open up holes for Dominique (Lindsay) and Giavanni (Ruffin), and we know we contribute to the overall outcome of the game."
Indeed this is true, for the stellar offensive line of the ECU Pirates, who some people label as an "NFL" sized line with an average height and weight of 6'4" and 310 pounds, have managed to let up one sack in the last five games and sit amongst the top 20 schools in the Bowl Subdivision in fewest sacks allowed this season.
Such success has offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler calling his line, "The best line we've had here in a long long time."
Despite the obvious credentials surrounding the offensive line beyond mere skill set is the chemistry these five guys share when they walk out onto the field.
All are returning juniors and seniors and every member of this line could tell you everything you would ever want to know about one another.
A close relationship is held between these five and it shows out on the field.
"It's good to know that you got four guys along side of you that you know will have your back if you slip up," Smith said.
The offensive line is the one area of the field where communication and working together is most critical since verbal communication wont cut it. One has to know his assignments and know whom to pick up if something goes airy.
ECU head coach Skip Holtz has seen dramatic improvement in the offensive line as the season has progressed.
"The line is starting to build continuity and unity," Holtz said. "They're doing a really nice job."
So, the next time you see quarterback Patrick Pinkney sit in the pocket comfortably and drill a 35-yard completion to Dwayne Harris or Dominique Lindsay breaks off a big run for 20 yards, think about it and remember who is the reason for that play's success.
It is, of course, the offensive line.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
However, one of the most overlooked, unappreciated and flat out unaccredited factor to any football team is a team's offensive line.
Think for a second, if it weren't for a solid center snapping the ball, the quarterback would never touch the ball or have enough time to take his two, three or four step drop.
Instead, it is the guys in the trenches, the big boys doing the dirty work, those five men on the offensive line who make the difference in any game.
Tackles Willie Smith and D.J. Scott, alongside fellow guards Terrence Campbell, Cory Dowless and the center Sean Allen, get the job done week in and week out for the Pirates. The starting offensive guard Campbell talked about this factor in regards to not getting noticed as much as the other players on the offensive side of the ball.
"We're used to not receiving all the glory, but we know it is our job to open up holes for Dominique (Lindsay) and Giavanni (Ruffin), and we know we contribute to the overall outcome of the game."
Indeed this is true, for the stellar offensive line of the ECU Pirates, who some people label as an "NFL" sized line with an average height and weight of 6'4" and 310 pounds, have managed to let up one sack in the last five games and sit amongst the top 20 schools in the Bowl Subdivision in fewest sacks allowed this season.
Such success has offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler calling his line, "The best line we've had here in a long long time."
Despite the obvious credentials surrounding the offensive line beyond mere skill set is the chemistry these five guys share when they walk out onto the field.
All are returning juniors and seniors and every member of this line could tell you everything you would ever want to know about one another.
A close relationship is held between these five and it shows out on the field.
"It's good to know that you got four guys along side of you that you know will have your back if you slip up," Smith said.
The offensive line is the one area of the field where communication and working together is most critical since verbal communication wont cut it. One has to know his assignments and know whom to pick up if something goes airy.
ECU head coach Skip Holtz has seen dramatic improvement in the offensive line as the season has progressed.
"The line is starting to build continuity and unity," Holtz said. "They're doing a really nice job."
So, the next time you see quarterback Patrick Pinkney sit in the pocket comfortably and drill a 35-yard completion to Dwayne Harris or Dominique Lindsay breaks off a big run for 20 yards, think about it and remember who is the reason for that play's success.
It is, of course, the offensive line.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
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