Zach Line

[SMUSA2013]

Seems we haven't been talking much about him... What kind of impact does everyone think we can expect him to have this year?

[ponyte]

I would suspect he has a similar role as he had last year. He will more than likely not be the prime running back. He will continue to be the short yardage power back. He will continue to be very effective in blocking for the passing attack. given the loss of a couple of O-lineman, Line maybe used more to help with blocking than before at least early in the season.

[that's great raplh]

Zach has talent. Glad he is back

[Webmaster]

Yesterday the offense was running skeleton drills and from what I could tell, they were using a combination of Line, Butler and Lunday as the starting RBs. In all honesty, this is basically what we were expecting at this stage in the fall.

The freshmen's knowledge of the offense is probably somewhat limited, and neither of them (to my untrained eye) looks to have worked themselves into the kind of physical shape that will be required at this level. But again, it's VERY early in the process.

[42sparty]

Just like last year...Line didnt get noticed until he started against SFA...then proceeded to start six more games. Seems to me we only focus on the freshman and not the proven talent.

Very excited for the upcoming season...just like to see more soph, jr., and sr., get the attention that the recruits seemed to garner.

[davidpaul123]

The freshmen's knowledge of the offense is probably somewhat limited, and neither of them (to my untrained eye) looks to have worked themselves into the kind of physical shape that will be required at this level. But again, it's VERY early in the process.

It took Shawnbrey a couple games too before he really got rolling too...

[Junior]

Just like last year...Line didnt get noticed until he started against SFA...then proceeded to start six more games. Seems to me we only focus on the freshman and not the proven talent.

Very excited for the upcoming season...just like to see more soph, jr., and sr., get the attention that the recruits seemed to garner.

IMO, Line gets the starts because of what he gives the team, in terms of unselfish play. He simply doesn't have the homerun speed some of these others backs do. He plays his role very well, and the other backs can definitely learn from him, but he'll never be the focal point of the backfield.

[Stallion]

big difference. Shawnbrey had game experience at Miami and 2 years experience in a Big Time program. Pope and Fields are coming from very small high school programs. They've never seen DLine that goers 300 and DEs and LBs that can run. Plus since SMU rarely scrimmages they will never been hit y college players before. They will be playing before a crowd that will be 20 times bigger than in High School. I'm excited about their future but it is a big transition that some of the best ever to play the game had trouble with-see Eric Dickerson. There are likely going to be some turnovers and missed blocking assignments playing freshman too. This is one reason I think Texas Tech should be a prohitive favorite in the opener. I think Texas Tech is going to load up on Padron with the so called "agressive SEC style defense" and I don't think there will be a RB on our roster that will be able to do much about it-except Line who will provide solid blocking.
In this scenario I'm also very concerned SMU's receivers-especially our Inside Receivers have not proven that will be able to get off the line of scrimmage with bigger Big 12 DBs for the quick passing game. If we can get the young RBs confident and performing by the second conference game that could play a big part in the season's success.

[westexSMU]

Unless one of the freshman really shows something in fall camp, I suspect Line will start at RB and probably Chris Butler will play a lot in this first game. Butler certainly showed flashes of talent in his last RB performance against Houston in 2008 before he got hurt. I think he had 89 yards in the first half.