In a system like Carroll’s, in which the passing game is electric and the running game must serve as an excellent compliment, building a strong offensive line is a must.
Putting the right people in place to open holes for running backs and provide protection for the quarterback is a top priority for the Dragons football team this spring, and Carroll coach Hal Wasson likes what he’s seen during his team’s first week of spring practice.
And although not all the components for the offensive line are completely set, nor are all the personnel for the running game presently available, Wasson and his coaches are keeping notes to make sure that the linemen and running backs that are being developed over the four-week spring season will work together smoothly by the time the fall season kicks off.
"We’re trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together right now," said Wasson, whose team began practice on Monday and holds its first spring intersquad scrimmage at 6 tonight at Dragon Stadium. "We’re trying to develop the depth of the group."
On the offensive line, only half the players who saw some playing time or were scheduled to start last year return for the 2008 season. Will McWhirter, a senior next season, is the lone athlete who saw significant playing time on the line last year. Matt Boyles, a returner who was set to start but went down with an injury prior to the season that kept him out for the entire year, is also back on the field and getting back up to speed.
Two other candidates who have already started to make their marks this spring are the frontrunners to join those two on the line this fall.
"Will McWhirter ... has flat-out been a real solid anchor,"Wasson said. "He’s taken on a real leadership role. Matt Boyles is released [to practice] and is able to start working his way back into playing form. Tony Barone and Cody Weaver are also showing a lot of potential."
Wasson said there is a lot of competition between those four as well as several other athletes as they vie for starting and backup roles on the line. The competition is likely to continue into the summer and possibly even into early fall, he said.
Wasson said the lineman are strong and athletic. There aren’t any "jumbo" players, no one pushing 300 pounds or more, but most are in the 245-255 range.
"They’re a good size, strong, competitive, but the most important ingredients are that they are tough and passionate," the coach said. "If you have that, along with being athletic, then that’s a pretty good combination."
What’s going to make the line ready for next season is not necessarily whether they’ve started on varsity or had a lot of playing time up to this point. Taking reps and running through the drills this spring should help them in the quest to take the next step from where they were last season, Wasson said.
Going against a very impressive defensive front and linebacking crew is also a key in the O-line’s progress, and the defenders have given the young line quite a challenge so far this spring.
"They have to go against our front-seven defense every day," Wasson said. "With our front seven defense – I’m just glad they’re on our side. Good competition makes both sides better, and the more reps they have, the better they will get."
As far as the running game is concerned, Wasson likes the hustle and hard work he’s seen from his running backs this spring. Tommy Avers, the player expected to replace former star runner Tré Newton next fall, is still competing on the Dragons baseball team that is currently in the playoffs. But Wasson knows what Avers is capable of and knows that the junior-to-be will be able to get in football shape in a hurry after the baseball season is complete.
Meanwhile, John Nathan has impressed coaches at workouts. Nathan served on special teams and filled in as a backup to Avers last season when Newton was injured.
Wasson said he expects Avers and Nathan to continue the line of solid runners that Carroll has produced over the last few years.
"There’s been a lot of special players [at running back] that have come through here," he said. "I think that’s one thing that really helps our players is that they study each other. Tommy has studied Tré, and Tré studied Aaron [Luna]. They’ve all tried to be as good as their predecessors. Success breeds success.
"Everybody has their own personality as a running back, just like each quarterback and other positions, but the main thing is that they are productive."