Position Breakdown: Offensive Line

The last few seasons at Ohio State, the offensive line has entered each year with tremendous praise and expectations with the talent to back it up. The result and reputation that the line accumulated has been the same the past two seasons: underachieving. Underwhelming. Soft. Feet aren't quick enough.

While I sound like a broken record thinking that this will be a hell of an o-line this season, I suppose I have more facts to back up my bold statements.

Let's start with the speed issue. Obviously you aren't going to put speed and offensive lineman in the same sentence very often. The speed to keep elite rush ends and blitzers from getting to the quarterback is a legit ability in football, though, and the Buckeyes should be improved in this area. Alex Boone was a good talent, but was just a tad slow. Tackle candidates Mike Adams, Andy Miller and J.B. Shugarts, all highly touted out of high school, should be able to handle things on the left side of the line. Senior Jim Cordle shouldn't be an issue at RT. In fact, the probable captain should shine with his versatility on full display. Dominance won't be frequent with him, but consistency certainly will be. The interior line will be NASTY. Michigan transfer and everyday Benedict Arnold (according to Michigan fans) Justin Boren is out to prove wrong that he wasn't strong or tough enough to endure the new training program installed up north and repeat as an All-Big Ten performer. I expect him to be an All-American prospect by the end of the season. Bryant Browning moves to his natural position at guard and has been pinned by some teammates at the "gentle giant". He is as big round as he is tall at nearly 6"5.

Then, there is the toughness issue. Guys like Boren and Shugarts will certainly bring toughness to the line. The word tough begins and ends with Mike Brewster. The All-American candidate at center is primed for a huge season, becoming one of the true leaders of the team while only being a true sophomore. All he wants to do is drive defenders into the ground and maul them even after the whistle has blown. He has highlighted the main weakness in past offensive lines here at OSU, and is out to fix the problem. There will be no lack of intensity and toughness along the line in 2009. I guarantee that.

It may be the same old story in terms of expecting a great offensive line in 2009, but I truly believe that a new, more reputable chapter will be written in an otherwise dull collection of yearbooks the past several year's groups have compiled in the trenches.

It all comes back to the word we all want to hear, and even more so, finally witness: NASTY.