BLOG 10: Forming a wall of protection: the offensive line

By Sandy Gholston

Big Rapids - - You can have all the skill-position players in the world, but without the big men on the offensive line it can make for tough times.

The graduation of imposing offensive lineman Bill Bourdlais, who was a rock of stability in that unit for years in the crimson and gold colors, has naturally created some questions marks looking ahead to the fall. This spring, however, the Bulldogs have attempted to answer that big question and maybe some of the other questions about the guys expected to provide protection up front for the offensive backs. Youth will be served, but some of that youth actually comes with some experience.

Ferris State University offensive line coach Ken Conlin works with that unit during a practice session in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

“We’ve got some young guys who have been working hard to try and fill in some of those spots, but we’re pretty young in some spots from what we’ve been in the past,” said Ferris State University offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy about the line that will provide the protection and open the holes. “We may have to move some people around a little bit to find the guys who are going to be the right fits in the right places. It’s a process that’s going to continue, but the good thing is we’re going to have some competition for spots and we’ll see who’s going to step up.”

Among the guys returning, with experience to their credit, are 6-foot and 291-pound junior-to-be center Joe Doman, who also could play at guard; 6-foot-4 and 280-pound Matt Wellman, a tackle who will be a redshirt sophomore in the fall; and Brad Bammert, a junior-to-be who also plays tackle.

“We’re going to be doing some mixing and matching to see what combinations are going to work the best and what guys will be the best fit in different positions,” said McCarthy, who will work closely with offensive line coach Ken Conlin to figure the strengths of the players and how best to maximize those strengths. “That’s one of the reasons spring is good … it gives us time to look at some different guys to see what we might want to do in the fall.”

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com