Really Good News on the O-Line front

Harry · August 5, 2005

I was very relieved to see that Lineberry will be back with the team this Fall! This is from the official site.

http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...0&ATCLID=158456

Mean Green Heavy Hitters Vital To Success In 2005

Courtesy: University of North Texas

Release: 08/01/2005

Joel Foster, along with Dylan Lineberry, will lead the Mean Green offensive line into the 2005 season.

In anticipation of two-a-days next week, MeanGreenSports.com breaks down the 2005 North Texas football team position by position. We begin today with the unheralded heroes behind the Mean Green's success - The Offensive Line.

A powerful offensive line is the key to the North Texas rushing attack, and with the previous two national rushing champions in the Mean Green backfield, the line becomes more important than ever.

The 2005 offensive line will be highlighted by Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year Dylan Lineberry. In his first season of eligibility, Lineberry started every game and graded out as the team’s second-best overall offensive lineman.

The guard is one of the most physical and strongest players on the team and is considered one of the top one-on-one blockers in the league. Lineberry was a second team all-conference selection in 2004, but did not participate in spring drills in order to work on his academic progress. The senior will be with the team this fall and is expected to be the leader of the line.

Joel Foster also started every game last season for the Mean Green and was able to hone his craft as the season progressed. A converted defensive end, the tackle graded out better than 80 percent in four of the last five games. In his best game of the season, Foster graded out at 89 percent and led the team with 21 knockdowns in the regular season finale at Arkansas State.

Jeremy Brown started the first four games at tackle last season before coming down with Mono. Brown was impressive early, but missed the next three games and never returned to full strength. This season, the tackle is fully recovered and will provide a veteran presence on the line.

Jason May sat out last season, but will look to return to form after a stellar 2003. May earned his first letter by starting in nine games and playing in all 12 two years ago.

Redshirt freshman Chad Rose will have the task of replacing two time all-conference center Andy Brewster. Brewster is the only lineman in North Texas history to block for four-straight 1,000 yard rushers.

Other who will look to make an impact on the offensive line include sophomores Josh Alexander and Adam Venegas and senior Ephraim Patterson.

Check back tomorrow when MeanGreenSports.com takes a look at the 2005 wide receivers and tight ends.

FirefightnRick · August 5, 2005

This is huge for us. Of our 5 starters on O line, 4 of them have over 50 games under their belts while blocking the way for two separate national rushing champions the past two years.

Rick

Edited August 5, 2005 by FirefightnRick

NT80 · August 5, 2005

I'm more concerned about the OL pass-blocking for our new QB who has never thrown a college pass.

Harry · August 5, 2005

But back to topic, knowing that our best olineman is back is huge. I feel really good about Lineberry, May, Foster and Brown. They are all pretty proven players. My concern would be more in terms of depth and also how well Rose fits in early. I think the tight end position will be significantly stronger from a blocking perspective. It will be interesting to see how Ajani Banks and Bryan Glass figure in. There are also several walk-ons, including Frank Gray and Gary Elmore who could be in the mix.

I know that life without Brewster will be hard but overall this is a pretty strong group on paper that has some time in our system. With the two running backs we have that makes for a nice combination.

Harry · August 5, 2005

Also sounds like Vengas is back in the fold as well. Hope he has his head on straight because the kid has talent.

NCMeanGreen · August 5, 2005

Also sounds like Vengas is back in the fold as well. Hope he has his head on straight because the kid has talent.
←

What are you referring to? Has he been an issue in the past?

PlummMeanGreen · August 5, 2005

But back to topic, knowing that our best olineman is back is huge. I feel really good about Lineberry, May, Foster and Brown. They are all pretty proven players. My concern would be more in terms of depth and also how well Rose fits in early. I think the tight end position will be significantly stronger from a blocking perspective. It will be interesting to see how Ajani Banks and Bryan Glass figure in. There are also several walk-ons, including Frank Gray and Gary Elmore who could be in the mix.
I know that life without Brewster will be hard but overall this is a pretty strong group on paper that has some time in our system. With the two running backs we have that makes for a nice combination.
←

Harry, wasn't Dylan Lineberry in summer school because he just didn't have all the credits he needed before Fall camp? Had to be something like that cause Lineberry had made the Deans list or something similar last Spring which indicated that making good grades seems the least of our 2005 Lombardy Trophy nominee's problem.