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USC offensive line: Big, mean, boring
Much has been made this week about USC’s offensive line, its experience and its ability to be a leading force in the Trojans beating Ohio State on Saturday.
So who are these guys? Let’s see what USC has to say about them. (There are six of them, because two of the positions have two players listed as possible starters.)
LT Charles Brown, 6-6, 285, Sr.: “Brown started all season at left offensive tackle and did a commendable job as a junior in 2008.” Commendable. Ouch.
LG Butch Lewis, 6-5, 285, Jr.: First problem: His middle name is Wendell. He started the first five games last season before missing one with illness and serving as a backup for awhile before getting his job back. Coming into the year, USC said he “will now push to start at left tackle as a junior in 2009. He could also work on the right side again.” Guess that didn’t last long.
LG/C Jeff Byers, 6-3, 290, Sr.: Starter for the previous two seasons at left guard, now works at both left guard and center. Already working on his MBA, partially because he missed two seasons with injury and is in his sixth year of eligibility. Don’t get near him, though. He missed part of the 2008 spring camp with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
C Kristofer O’Dowd, 6-5, 300, Jr.: Missed spring practices while recovering from should surgery after starting all of 2008 at center. USC says: “O’Dowd will anchor USC’s offensive line while starting for his second season at center as a junior in 2009.”
RG Alex Parsons, 6-4, 300, Sr.: Started the last 10 games in 2008 at right guard, but it was only his second season on offense. He switched from defensive tackle to offensive line in 2007.
RT Tyron Smith, 6-6, 285, So.: “The promising Smith likely will start at right offensive tackle as a sophomore in 2009.” This line, as well as the previous five bios, proves that even a school’s athletic communications department just can’t make an offensive line sound exciting.
But if you’re looking for experience, consider this: USC’s returning offensive linemen have a combined 96 starts between them.
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