Here's an SI.com article on the OL.
Nick Mangold and the Buckeyes' offensive line will try not to duplicate last season's 61 rushing yards a game in a 3-3 start.
AP
si.com
In the line of fire
Despite struggles, Buckeyes' OL say they're unified
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- They're usually the biggest guys on the field, so it's no wonder that they make such easy targets.
When things go wrong for Ohio State's offense, the first group that fans and talk-radio callers attack are the offensive linemen.
"That's kind of one of the pitfalls of the position," said center Nick Mangold. "You know when you're a young kid going into it that you're not going to get as much attention -- and as much credit -- as the quarterback and the running back. You become used to not being considered the mainstay people."
Based on the way things have gone for the past couple years or so, those critics have had a lot to reasons to blame the line.
The 2003 team, a year removed from a national championship, declined in several key offensive categories -- gaining a full yard less each time the Buckeyes ran the ball.
Then the 2004 team stumbled out of the blocks on offense during a 3-3 start. Against Marshall, Ohio State netted 79 rushing yards. The next week against North Carolina State, it was 64. When the Big Ten season began, the trend continued: 97, 99 and 27 yards rushing in three losses to begin conference play.
"When you're at Ohio State, you're expected to run the ball and you're expected to run the ball well," said tackle Steve Rehring. "What Woody Hayes did around here was run the ball. So that starts with us up front. If we don't make our blocks up front, the running backs can't make their cuts and the runs that they need to make. We have to look at it that we have to do better."
Rehring, a massive 6-foot-8, 329-pound sophomore, blames inexperience and youth for the rocky start. He said that once the youngsters got some playing time, things turned around.
Whether it was a green group gaining experience or a series of weaker teams, the Buckeyes did turn things around in the second half of the year. Three times they rushed for more than 200 yards and three times they passed for at least 180 yards.
"A year ago we started out as individuals and sort of came together at the end," Mangold said. "This year we're starting where we finished, and coming together as one."
This year's front will feature seniors Rob Sims, Andree Tyree, Mangold and tight end Ryan Hamby, with juniors T.J. Downing and Doug Datish also in the mix along with sophomores Rehring and Kirk Barton and freshmen Jim Cordle and Alex Boone.
Coach Jim Tressel said he's satisfied with the progress the linemen have made this August.
Antonio Pittman, expected to get the nod as the starting tailback, has been impressed by what he's seen, too.
"A year ago compared to this year, they're bigger and they got a lot stronger," he said. "They're more versatile. Rob can play tackle or guard. Steve's playing some guard and tackle, Nick is playing center and guard and Doug Datish is playing center guard and tackle. Last year's line didn't really have that much movement and there really wasn't that much depth."
Whether they're as improved as they appear will be tested starting Saturday when they take on Miami (Ohio) in the season opener at Ohio Stadium.
Despite the anonymity that clings to him and his linemates in victory and the scorn they get after a loss, Mangold said other teammates are aware of what the line contributes.
"Inside the framework of the team, the team knows what the line does, knows how important it is to the success of the team -- to do the job up front," Mangold said.
If he had a son, though, might he not push him to be a defensive lineman? To avoid the slings and arrows and get a little more credit?
"No way," Mangold said. "I don't like those guys too much."
OL Nick Mangold (official thread)
