Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

Offensive Line Coach Mark McHale has resurrected zone blocking at FSU. With running backs like Lorenzo Booker and Leon Washington it’s a great idea. FSU’s back are notorious for finding holes and hitting them, and zone blocking facilitates that. Instead of designed holes, they sort of (hopefully) create themselves. It can also confuse opposing defenses. This should all equal out to an effective running game for the ‘Noles, especially if they give the ball to Leon Washington. 10+ wins are possible, if Leon carries 225-250 times this year. Granted, Lorenzo Booker might not love that idea, but he has a full year to himself in 2006.

Here’s a look at the 2005 Seminole Offensive Line. Although they are not highly touted this year, they have a chance to be much better than the past two editions of the OL. Let’s hope for a quiet success this season. Anchoring the OL is senior David Castillo, who not only is talented, but is very smart, both on and off of the field. If he can avoid the injury bug that has plagued him, the rest of the Seminole offense has an experienced leader to look to when times get tough. If Castillo needs relief, John Frady is a experienced second stringer that can step in and provide solid play.

Offensive Tackles Cory Niblock and David Overmeyer should be starters, although Ron Lunford provides a bulkier alternative to Niblock, and might provide an extra shove in goal line situations. Courtney Abbot, a redshirt freshman, hopefully won’t be needed much this season. If he is, the ‘Noles are injured. The Seminole tackles can also thank Mark McHale for playing on one side of the field this year, as the ‘Noles have switched to Right and Left Tackles, instead of the Tight Tackle and Split Tackle. Personally, I never quite understood TT and ST and thought it caused more confusion than it was worth.

For the Guards, they also will be staying on one side of the field this season. “Monster” Matt Meinrod should smack down opposing defensive lineman and provide lots of holes for Seminole running backs. Jacky Claude will be the other starter as a sophomore. 300 lbs. sounds like a good way to protect Drew Weatherford or Xavier Lee. John Frady, Geoff Berniard and Cornelius Lewis will server as the backups.

The only concern for the ‘Noles is health. The line is really only 2.5 players deep, but it needs to be 3 deep. Only next season’s crop of recruits can help that situation. For now, if the ‘Noles stay healthy, they will be very good and will likely fly under the radar for a while. If the injury bug bites the ‘Noles, however, the offense might sputter like last year. Keep your fingers crossed ‘Nole fans!