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[GrapevineMustang]

My main interest in next year's team revolves around the offensive line. Considering the thin allotment of experienced players we had last year, I think Coach Stanley did a terrific job with what he had.

However, we now have a new offensive line coach, and Judson Davis and Thornton Chandler are gone. So, who do you see as the starting five, or key backups?

My predictions (with no real basis - just a hunch):

Right tackle: Sterling Harris. Our biggest returning lineman, a returning starter, a senior — can't see him losing his spot.

Right guard: Townsend Hargis. Admirable job in 2002 playing a number of different spots on the line. Ready for full-time duty?

Center: Steve Reindl. Started as a junior and part of his sophomore year. Has (I think) the most starts of any SMU lineman.

Left guard: Brad Kieschnick. He's only going to be a sophomore next year, but he graded out higher than all other linemen next year, and is a fearless, scrappy fighter. He might have the tightest hold on his position of all linemen.

Left tackle: Hmmmm.... this one's tough. Eric Neal worked his tail off, but to me he doesn't look like a starting tackle, especially on the quarterback's blind side. For someone who weighs around 300 pounds, his legs are awfully thin, and the legs (and backside) are where the power comes from for blocking. I think he's best-suited as a backup, even at more than one position. Are Dustin Morton or Chris Urbanus ready? Or are they even tackles? Matt Munz has a good frame, but I've never seen him play. And personally, I'm not ready to throw a true freshman in there as a starter, despite the impressive résumés our new offensive line recruits have.

Backups: Neal, Munz, Morton or Urbanus, Martin Guidry, Hulsey Smith.

[PonyTales]

Oh yeah - THAT's what this board is for. Talking about SMU football.
Thanks for the reminder.

[d_pony]

my guess starting for spring ball is:
Neal
Urbanus
Guidry

[ClassOf81]

Grapevine, where does Grant Eidson figure into the mix? I thought he did a find job last year.

[GrapevineMustang]

Sorry - didn't mean to leave Eidson out of the picture there. You're right, he held up nicely, especially for a freshman.

I'd say he's a second-string guard (on either side maybe?)

What do you think?

[d_pony]

Sorry Peruna -- should have made that clear - left tackle

[Dubbya]

LT - Kenard Burley
LG - Justin Boren
C - Bryan Turner
RG - Caleb Peveto
RT - Brandon Bonds?

[ShanDtheMan]

Can Hargis play left tackle?

Or, if you want someone bigger at the left tackle spot, how about shifting Sterling Harris over, playing Hargis at right tackle and letting Eidson start at right guard?

[JasonB]

If Urbanus doesn't win the job, I think we will see Harris and Hargis play tackle and Keishnick and Poulous/Guidry/Morton/Eidson at Guard. Unfortunately, we seem to be loaded at guard and have a lot less talent at Tackle (both Harris and Hargis are really at their best at guard). All frosh linemen should always be redshirted if possible.

[leadpony]

I think that Sterling will play on the left side. He has been working hard for two years now and is ready for the blind side roll.

[Mickey]

LT- Urbanus, Hargis, Neal
LG- Kiesnick, Morton, Guidry
C- Reindl, Kiesnick, Eidson, Smith
RG- Hargis, Morton, Poulous
RT- Harris,Muns, Guidry, Meachum

[d_pony]

Urbanus is up to 305 and is one of the most if not the most athletic persons on the O Line - i think he will win the left tackle spot but that is what spring ball is all about

[Corso]

Not so fast, my friends!

First of all, that's some thorough listing. And while I agree wholeheartedly with JasonB in the idea that all freshman offensive linemen should be redshirted, I think we're thin enough that some of the true freshmen will get a shot. Not to start (I hope), but certainly to assume some kind of backup role. Based on what I've read, I'd guess that Justin Boren and Bryan Turner, at least, might have a shot at some backup duty.

[Nacho]

The roster from last year gives the following:

Urb 6-5 260
Kie 6-3 283
Rein 6-3 278
Harg 6-4 280
Harris 6-6 300

Can you give us some updates on current weights? Thanks in advance

[d_pony]

the coaches are very high on last year's O-Line recruits -- i would be surprised if a true frosh would step ahead of our redshirts