Head coach, players working to rebuild offensive line

Rather, he is talking about rebuilding the offensive line. He’s the one who coaches the “O linemen” and he has to fit the pieces together so the Eagles can hopefully roll up the yards and the points again.

As practice was opening last week, he reiterated that the top priority for the Eagles is to rebuild the offensive front, where the trio of three-year starters who earned first-team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors last fall has graduated.

“We know we’ve got some outstanding skill position players, but they won’t be able to do anything unless we can block for them,” said O’Boyle, who has long been recognized as one of the leading offensive line coaches in the country. Each summer he is contacted to lead up to a half dozen camps for offensive linemen in the region.

The graduated linemen are Robbie Klinetobe, Jared Lee and Chase Olsen. Each became starters as sophomores and developed into standouts. Last year was one of the few times in RMAC history that three offensive linemen from the same team were recognized with first-team all-conference honors. Klinetobe went on to tie for first runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award that is given to the outstanding lineman, either offensive or defensive, in NCAA Division II.

Both Lee and Olsen missed parts of previous seasons, but remained healthy throughout 2006. That’s one reason why most of the players who are striving to fill their shoes this season don’t have a lot of experience. Last year’s good fortune has limited the amount of playing time those vying for the first-team nods this season have accumulated.

The most experienced of the 17 offensive linemen on the roster is John Strand, who is slated to play left tackle after filling in for Olsen at right tackle the last part of the 2005 season and playing left guard last season. The 6-8, 280-pound Strand earned second-team offensive line honors from the RMAC coaches last year and was a unanimous first-team selection this fall during the preseason balloting. He’s considered one of the Eagles’ leading all-star candidates for this season.

Another returning full-time starter is Chance Galey, the Crawford junior who plays center and has become a steady performer at the crucial position.

Strand sustained a shoulder injury early in the game at Montana State last season, causing him to miss the next three contests. His position was filled by Ben Puffer of Hot Springs, S.D., then just a redshirt freshman. O’Boyle says Puffer is “by far the most physical” of the CSC offensive linemen and should handle the left guard slot well this season.

Because Puffer got so much playing time last season, he’s considered to be among the Eagles’ eight returning starters on offense.

There’s no shortage of candidates to fill the starting spots on the right side of the line where Klinetobe and Olsen played last year. O’Boyle is always on the lookout for excellent offensive line prospects and there are numerous contenders for the two major vacancies that exist.

The leaders at right guard are senior Mike Aimone and junior Richard Smock. Both have worked hard to earn the starting nod.

Aimone has lost about 35 pounds and now weighs 280, while Smock has tried to add a few pounds to the 250 that he’s listed.

This is Aimone’s third year with the Eagles after he transferred from Weber State in Ogden, Utah, less than 100 miles from his home at Kemmerer, Wyo. During his first year at CSC, he played defensive tackle, then switched to offensive guard last year, but didn’t see much action. He knew he needed to lose weight so he’d be quicker off the ball, could block the linebackers and have more stamina and durability.

Smock is known for having excellent technique and runs well, but sometimes has lacked consistency with his assignments in the past. Naturally, it’s something he’s trying to overcome so he can play full-time.

The right tackle slot has three primary candidates. They are senior Aaron Forsberg, sophomore Grady Goldhammer and redshirt freshman Jacob Finerty. Each of them is at least 6-4 and weighs 275. The one who is the most consistent and shows that he knows his assignments the best is likely to emerge as the starter, O’Boyle said. So far, he said the derby is a dead heat.

Naturally, by having several candidates for the openings in the offensive line, depth should be an asset.

Others seeking playing time include senior T.J. Lovato, a Minatare native who is on the roster for the fifth straight year; Justin Ransdell, who is one of the strongest linemen on the team and improved a great deal during spring practice; and four redshirt freshmen besides Finerty.

The latter group includes Matt Crider, who came from Sultana High School in Hesperia, Calif., with Finerty; Jake Rogers, a rather raw-boned prospect from Scottsbluff; and two high school standouts from the Denver area, Shane Dennehy, who played at Green Mountain High School, and Tim Hiett of Arvada West.

Both Dennehy and Hiett have older brothers who are starters in the offensive line for RMAC schools. Chris Dennehy plays for Mesa State and Jack Hiett plays for Nebraska-Kearney.

This summer, the Eagles also added Matt Ravadge to the mix. He was an all-conference player at Cupertino High in California and started the past two years at tackle at De Anza College in his hometown. He also earned all-conference laurels last fall and was selected as De Anza’s outstanding offensive lineman. Once he becomes acquainted with the CSC system, he’s expected to challenge for playing time this fall.

Four freshmen also are among the offensive linemen. They include Todd Strasburger, a Gordon product who attended CSC last fall, but did not play football. The others are highly-regarded 2007 recruits. They are Jake Blackburn of Cody, Wyo., Sean McGowan of Lakewood, Colo., and Matt Moore of Corona, Calif.

Because of the nuances of position, few college freshmen ever see playing time in the offensive line, just as few rookies ever play in the offensive front in the NFL.

Ever since O’Boyle returned to Chadron State in January 1994 after spending four years as the offensive line coach at his alma mater, Western Illinois, the Eagles have primarily used zone blocking up front. O’Boyle said he surmises that 80 percent of the 2,756 yards that Danny Woodhead rushed for last season came when the Eagles were zone blocking.

“It takes time to get it done right,” O’Boyle said. “If you don’t teach it right, you don’t make progress (with it). It takes longer to learn and as a coach I have to be patient. We use zone blocking more than most teams in the conference. It’s a combination of blocking in an area and the man across from you.”

Woodhead is among those who says he’s not concerned about the new players who will be blocking for him and his fellow running backs.

“He’ll get them going,” Woodhead said with regard to O’Boyle. “We had a young offensive line when I was a freshman and things went well. I’m sure there’ll be some mistakes, but that’s just because they don’t have much experience. I know they’re all working hard and trying to do their best. I’m not worried (about the line) at all. We’ve got enough talent that it won’t be a problem.”

Woodhead added that he knows for certain the offensive linemen, as well as the rest of the team, will be in good physical condition.

“It’s been a tough camp so far,” the 2006 Harlon Hill Award winner noted.

Several of the candidates for playing time said that Strand, as the most experienced offensive lineman, is helping them with some of the ins and outs of their positions.

“John is always giving pointers and telling me what I might be able to do better,” said Crider, who plays left tackle behind Strand. “He’s like having another coach.”

Crider added that he’s learned a lot during the past year while playing for the Eagles.

“In high school, I could pretty much manhandle the guy across from me. Here, I have to watch my footwork and develop technique.”

Quarterback Joe McLain said he has great appreciation for offensive linemen, who are often said “to get the gory while the backs get the glory.”

“The way it looks to me, they’re in shape and they know their assignments,” McLain said. “I know a lot of them did a lot of hard work this summer, knowing they had to step up and get the job done. They’re competing hard for the spots that are open.”

McLain also related that “it’s a lot easier to play quarterback when you’ve got a good line in front of you.”

Strand said Woodhead and McLain also show their appreciation after the games.

“They usually look up all the linemen and slap us on the hand and tell us we did well,” said Strand. “That always makes us feel good.”