Day 6 -- The Offensive Line is Featured
April 12, 2012
Corvallis, Ore. -
If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all!
Forgive offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh if he thinks about that verse from a popular TV series tune over 40 years ago. But, that pretty much sums up what the last year has been for a unit that has eight healthy bodies for spring football.
It is a line that potentially has a combined 50 starts returning to make it a fairly experienced roster. That 50 number is misleading this spring though as Colin Kelly and Grant Enger make up nearly half of it and they are both out with injuries through most if not all April. Junior Michael Philipp has 22 starts for his career, but he redshirted last year because of injuries. Suddenly that number 50 has an asterisk or two next to it.
But that’s the glass half empty look at the line; the positive is four players who have started, which also includes Josh Andrews, should be ready for the season opener. Sophomores Roman Sapolu, Michael Beaton and Derek Nielsen all have game experience and are getting a lot of reps this month. Plus, a host of newcomers will join the team this summer and immediately compete for playing time.
The OSU video staff produced the following clip and postpractice interview with Cavanaugh. Saturday the linebackers will be featured with coach Trent Bray.
Make sure to join Beaver Nation at Fan Fest April 28 at Reser Stadium. Season ticket holders have until April 20 to renew while new season ticket deposits will be accepted beginning at Fan Fest with a $50 non-refundable deposit per seat.
