Barney Cotton offers an O-line primer for Red/White game

[Nexus]

Barney Cotton sent up a caution flag.
Evaluate the offensive line’s performance Saturday in the Red-White Spring Game using discretion and foresight, he said, understanding the scrimmage is just that — a scrimmage — and that player evaluation will continue in earnest once preseason camp heats up in August.

That said, I’ll be watching his Godzillas intently in the Spring Game, mindful that quarterback and offensive line play, in that order, held back Nebraska last season.

So, a question: Does anybody in television remote-control-crazy America possess the requisite attention span to knuckle down and grade offensive linemen on a gorgeous spring Saturday? Talk about a commitment. Plus, can a layman really draw worthwhile conclusions about an offensive line without the aid of day-after video, a few doughnuts and at least a couple cans of Red Bull to stay awake during the process?

Turns out, you can. I can. Our grandmas can.

Cotton, Nebraska’s affable offensive line coach, provided six areas to watch Saturday if you’re interested in judging offensive line play. It’s generally common-sense stuff, like an automobile driving test. Consider it a refresher course:

1. Watch the linemen’s feet. Are they keeping a solid base?

2. Watch their pad level. Are they playing at or below the helmet level of the defensive linemen?

“You don’t want to play higher than them,” Cotton said. “You want to try to win the leverage battle.”

3. Watch pass protection closely (If it were possible, I’d return in another life as a 6-foot-7, 320-pound left tackle).

After the snap, “Count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three,” Cotton said. “Once you get to about 3 1/2 seconds, that ball had better be gone. And that should probably be the quarterback’s third choice by then.

“If you give up a sack, and it’s been five seconds, the ball probably should’ve been gone. If you get to two-and-a-quarter seconds and somebody from the defense comes clean (into the backfield) ...”

In that case, Barney’s behemoths receive a demerit.

4. Watch for pulling linemen. “When a lineman gets out in space, when he’s pulling, he should just be basically targeting the middle of the (defender) — he shouldn’t be hedging anybody,” Cotton said.

5. Watch to see if the line is getting a strong push forward.

“If it’s third-and-1, we better be getting the first down with our linemen (pushing past the first-down marker),” Cotton said. “If you’re on the goal line, you’d like to get your linemen in the end zone because if the linemen can score, that means the running back’s going to score.”

6. “If you’re sitting in the end zone seats,” Cotton said, “that’s probably the best place because you’re going to see holes opening up. See if two guys are blocking one, then someone will come off (the initial block at the line) and block a linebacker. See if we can go two-for-two in a two-man blocking scheme.”

I’m guessing we’ll see bigger holes opening this season, and improved pass protection, as Nebraska returns four offensive linemen (Ricky Henry, Marcel Jones, Mike Smith and Keith Williams) who made at least 11 starts last season. Depth has improved, with players such as Jermarcus Hardrick (6-7, 320 pounds), Brent Qvale (6-7, 320) and Jeremiah Sirles (6-6, 310) now in the fold.

The injury situation along the line was dire for much of 2009. Many of the top-unit linemen played despite injuries, some handling it better than others. I know that was a sore spot last season with Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini, not to mention Cotton.

“We’ve talked about it in my (meeting) room,” Cotton said. “Whether you feel good or not, it’s five seconds of pain and 30 seconds of rest. You play through the pain, you get to rest and then you go out and do it again. You just don’t come out of the game. And you keep practicing. Because offensive linemen can’t sit during practice and then play in a game. Maybe a running back can or somebody else can.

“But if you’re a lineman, if you’re going to play, you’re going to practice.”

And you’re going to scrimmage. I’ll be watching closely Saturday, checklist in hand.

LINK

 

[NUance]

Jermarcus Hardrick (6-7, 320 pounds), Brent Qvale (6-7, 320) and Jeremiah Sirles (6-6, 310) now in the fold.

Ricky Henry (6-4, 305), Marcel Jones (6-7, 315), Mike Smith (6-6, 285) and Keith Williams (6-5, 310)

Probably isn’t the best O-line we’ve ever put on the field. But it may be the biggest.

 

[Enhance]

Jermarcus Hardrick (6-7, 320 pounds), Brent Qvale (6-7, 320) and Jeremiah Sirles (6-6, 310) now in the fold.

Ricky Henry (6-4, 305), Marcel Jones (6-7, 315), Mike Smith (6-6, 285) and Keith Williams (6-5, 310)

Probably isn’t the best O-line we’ve ever put on the field. But it may be the biggest.

Probably is pretty close. But, to be fair, we didn't that many monstrosities back in the day. A lot of our guys floated around the 6'2" mark. There were exceptions, though.

 

[Fuzzy]

I don't know too much about the OL back in the day, but maybe because they were shorter and under a different coaching staff, they won the leverage battle against the taller DL.

I mean if your a 6'7" guard going up against a 6'3" defensive tackle. You gotta get more than 4" lower than he will.

 

[Enhance]

I don't know too much about the OL back in the day, but maybe because they were shorter and under a different coaching staff, they won the leverage battle against the taller DL.

I mean if your a 6'7" guard going up against a 6'3" defensive tackle. You gotta get more than 4" lower than he will.

It kind of depends on the offense you're running. If you run an option offense, you don't need towering offensive linemen because it will be easier to block opposing DL's with guys floating in the lower 6 foot range.

But, if you run a spread passing offense with wide splits, for example, you need bigger guys in order to make up for that extra space between them in the pass pro.

 

[junior4949]

I had class with a lot of guys back in the day. The shortest one was Aaron Taylor. He was around 6'1 or so. Aaron Graham was around 6'4. Rob Zatechka was fairly tall at 6'4 or better. His brother Jon was a bit shorter around the 6'2 to 6'3. Adam Treau was fairly tall at 6'4 or better. The ones I remember were mostly in that 6'3-6'5 area.

 

[Blackshirtsguru]

When does Bo and Co throw up the caution flag when it comes to Cotton?

 

[sarge87]

So, a question: Does anybody in television remote-control-crazy America possess the requisite attention span to knuckle down and grade offensive linemen on a gorgeous spring Saturday? Talk about a commitment. Plus, can a layman really draw worthwhile conclusions about an offensive line without the aid of day-after video, a few doughnuts and at least a couple cans of Red Bull to stay awake during the process?

Obviously, Sip hasn't been by Huskerboard.com where this happens on a daily basis without artery clogging doughnuts. :nanalama

 

[Danimal]

I don't know too much about the OL back in the day, but maybe because they were shorter and under a different coaching staff, they won the leverage battle against the taller DL.

I mean if your a 6'7" guard going up against a 6'3" defensive tackle. You gotta get more than 4" lower than he will.

It kind of depends on the offense you're running. If you run an option offense, you don't need towering offensive linemen because it will be easier to block opposing DL's with guys floating in the lower 6 foot range.

But, if you run a spread passing offense with wide splits, for example, you need bigger guys in order to make up for that extra space between them in the pass pro.

This

We had shorter, more quick-footed roadgraders back in the day. I think part of what made our O work was that the style didn't require the guys all the other top teams were after in order to succeed.