May 4, 2007

Post-spring analysis: Offensive Line

Former offensive line coach Rick Trickett's ability to coach Ivy Leaguers into great linemen has been publicized. Steve Slaton and Pat White can hit holes and run in space, but their productivity has to be linked to guys like Garin Justice, Jeremy Sheffey and Jake Figner who could get out ahead of them.

The formula no doubt belongs to other line coaches, including Greg Frey, WVU's new guy, who failed to beat Florida Big Three schools on prospects, but still got productivity out of his USF front.

But as West Virginia vaulted into the natural picture, line recruitment at WVU picked up, too. And that will be the legacy, as Frey continues his first season at West Virginia after serving under Jim Leavitt.

Those athletes--or at least several of them--took no snaps this spring. And so, back-up blockers will be fluid probably as the Mountaineers head through their September schedule.

Aside from the last two years, Trickett's boys were slow in progressing. By October, he had made a line switch and then the ground game again ran for miles.



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