Dixon

Position Breakdown - Offensive Line Outlook

Last year was a significantly better season for the offensive line than was expected by me as they found some unit cohesion and found a way to stay relatively healthy as depth on the line was barely if even two deep at each spot.

The Tigers have four starters returning this season with only senior right tackle Andrew McCain moving on after an impressive campaign were he came from the depths of former Auburn Coach Tuberville doghouse. McCain came into his senior campaign with a new life with this coaching staff and made the best of his situation starting every game last season.

Six foot eight inch Left Tackle Lee Ziemba returns for his senior season despite some promising draft predictions to finish what he started. Ziemba is a tenacious blocker with a great work ethic that was named to some All-SEC Preseason teams. If he plays in enough games this season he will have a significant chance to break former Tiger Will Herrings record for the most games started as a Tiger. Ziemba had a few problems with false starts last season but Coach Grimes does not seem concerned with it and I also think the entire situation may be a bit over hyped. Ziemba will more than likely be backed up at Left Tackle by Junior Jared Cooper who has played fairly regularly off the bench for Auburn, and will more than likely have a significant shot at a starting role at guard or center as a senior. Cooper does not have the prototypical size you like at the Tackle, but his good technique and quick hands make give him the ability to compensate.

The Right Tackle position that Andrew McCain has vacated is the most interesting position on the line this year with two junior college transfers fighting to take over the position and anchor the line on the right side.

Rozell Gayden who many picked to win the starting has struggled during spring practices with a wrist injury, and did not play in the spring game. The leader coming out of the spring therefore is a converted tight end Brandon Mosley who has the size and strength needed to play the position. Mosley must however improve his footwork and ability to control faster pass rushers off the end. Mosley will definely need to work on getting out of two point faster and maybe putting on a few more pounds of muscle.

Returning starter senior Byron Isom will bring his experience to the Left Guard position as he the four core group of seniors will make up an effective group of starters left over from last year. Isom is a consistent player that excels in run blocking. He may be pushed for playing time by sophmore John Sullen and senior Jorell Bostrom who both after getting their weight down and overall fitness level up may be able to become a strong contributers to the position this season. Eric Mack a freshman out of South Carolina could also potentially contribute at either gaurd position.

Mike Berry returns to start at the right gaurd position were he had an impressive season last year playing next to Lee Ziemba. Berry has been a staple on the Auburn line the past two seasons and there is no reason to believe he will be pushed by anyone behind him now for a position that he held and played well at his entire career. He will be backed up by Bostrom and Sullen who may see more time than last year but I would expect to see Berry out there a great deal of the time.

Ryan Pugh is one of my favorite players on the line right now. A very technical blocker with fluid footwork and good size and strength. Pugh is in my opinion right up there with any center in the country with a very possible NFL future with the kind of work ethic and sound blocking he has. He will likely be on the field with relatively breaks and will be backed up by Bart Eddins who is a solid veteran with a workmans mentality who will do anything needed to help the team. Jared Cooper is also likely to see some time on the interior based on his versatility.

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