MENU
Mar 29, 2024
www.accessauburn.com
Find us on Facebook
Football Preview: Offensive Line
Last year's offensive line played a key role in Auburn's success on offense. With four starters returning, the experience and talent on the line will once again pave the way for the Tigers' high-powered offense.

Heading into the season-opener in 2009, the offensive line wasn't expected to be a strength of Auburn's team. The year before, the unit struggled to adapt to the new spread attack which resulted in dismal numbers through the air and on the ground.

Things changed when new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn introduced his version of the spread. The unit was required to bulk up so they could better protect the quarterback and also help the offense return to its roots of giving opposing defenses a heavy dose of the ground game.

With the weight added in the offseason, there were doubts that the offensive line could gel and stay healthy for the entire season. Cuts and bruises are typical for any offensive line during a season, but an injury that causes significant loss of playing time to any of the starting five could disrupt the rhythm of the entire offense.

Luckily for Malzahn and position coach Jeff Grimes, the unit stayed healthy and was able to gel which resulted in the offense averaging 33.3 points per game, compared to just 17.3 per game during the 2008 season.

Last year, the surprise play of the line helped Auburn produce one of its best offensive seasons in school history. For the year, the offense set team single-season records for points (433), total offense (5,613 yards), total plays (914) and passing touchdowns (25). It also had 266 first downs (#2 in school history), 2,756 rushing yards (#7 in school history), and 2,857 passing yards (#5 in school history).

That type of production could be difficult to match in 2010, but with four returning starters, and a year in Malzahn’s system, the unit is predicted to be the best offensive line in the SEC.
Lee Ziemba
Lee Ziemba
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

A staple on the line since arriving on campus in 2007, senior Lee Ziemba has started 38 consecutive games. He was a Second Team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches in 2009, and an honorable mention pick by the Associated Press.

At 6-8 and 319 pounds, Ziemba is perfect for the left tackle position since he's the team's best pass blocker. He was a big reason why the line allowed just 21 sacks in 364 pass attempts last season. Even though his main job is protecting the quarterback, he's agile enough to open up holes for the ground game.

The only spot on the line that doesn't have a definite starter is right tackle. With Andrew McCain graduated, two junior college transfers will battle for the job. Brandon Mosley seems to have a slight edge over Roszell Gayden after Gayden was limited in the spring with a hand injury. Whoever wins the starting job is more than capable of being a force on the right side.
Mike Berry
Mike Berry
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

The two guard spots will be handled by seniors Byron Isom and Mike Berry. Isom has experience with 18 starts and enough athleticism to hold his own against defenders. Berry should be ready to go after missing spring because of surgery in the offseason.

At 6-3, 316 pounds, Berry has great size with plenty of potential to be the best blocker on the line. He also carries a lot of experience with 23 starts.

Senior Ryan Pugh has been a fixture on the line with 31 starts under his belt. He spent time at right tackle before moving over to his natural position at center last year.

Even though Pugh has played through injuries during his career, his backups lack playing time experience if he happens to go down with a major injury. Senior Bart Eddins is Pugh's primary backup, with walk-on Blake Burgess and incoming freshman Tunde Fariyike next in line.

While four of the starting five have 109 starts among them, the remaining reserves have seen very little playing time. Jared Cooper, John Sullen, A.J. Greene and Andre Harris may get to play late in games when Auburn is in complete control. The real test comes next year when they compete to replace four of the starting seniors on this year's line.

Phil Marion

Next week: Defensive Line

Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

Running Backs