Thursday, November 12, 1998

Cougars' offensive line isn't so nameless anymore

By JEFF WALKER

Staff Writer

There is a saying that the only people that know the names on offensive linemen are their mothers and girlfriends.

With only one returning starter with playing experience at the same position from a year ago, the Cooper offensive line, which features four seniors, is quickly making a name for itself.

The four seniors on the front line are tight end Andy Rodgers, right tackle Kent Rhodes, left guard James Jones and left tackle Bailey Lester. Rodgers is the lone returning starter from last season's Cougar squad.

"Rodgers started at tight end last year and Jones was a returning starter, but he played center last year," Cooper assistant coach Mike Patterson said. "The others either played as backups or were pulled up from the junior varsity team."

The success of the offensive line has started with preparation. Head coach Randy Allen said the offensive line spends the most time preparing for the opposition.

"I think the offensive line is the hardest position to play," he said. "There are more assignments, more defenses to recognize and more fronts to learn. The offensive line spends more time in film studies than anyone. They come in at 7 a.m. three or four days a week. They watch the practice tape sometimes after practice."

Patterson said that time together has developed a bond among the front line.

"They spend so much time together there's a camaraderie that has developed," he said. "It's with all the offensive line. There are some times during the off season when we can't coach them, we see them working together and by the time they get to be seniors, these guys can coach themselves. They know exactly what they're doing, that's a real positive that they can think like that naturally."

Each of the four seniors has his own niche, according to Patterson.

n Patterson on Lester: "Scholarship-wise, he's got the best chance because of his size, he's 6-7, 285 pounds. He has raw talent, he's developed into one of the great ones for us. He's done an outstanding job and is probably our most physical lineman."

n Patterson on Rodgers: "Andy's a two-year starter and I like to call him a journeyman. We got him as a sophomore and he couldn't catch a bag of balls. He stayed after practice and caught probably 100 balls per day and he developed himself. One person told me you can't teach a guy to be a receiver but Andy proved that wrong. He's also a tenacious blocker which is important as a tight end."

n Patterson on Jones: "He's an overachiever. He's one of the guys with high marks, probably in the top 10 in his class. He has a great will to win and he does whatever it takes to win. He is one of the smallest on the line (5-10, 220) but he is definitely the strongest and that has been because of his work in the weight room."

n Patterson on Rhodes: "He's another journeyman. He needed to work on his run-blocking and his protection and he's turned into a fine offensive tackle. He's got a big body and nice size. It'll be interesting to see who wins the lineman of the year because this is the closest race we should have ever. All these guys are so similar and the grades are so close."

Each week the offensive linemen receive a grade for assignment and technique. To give an example of where this line has progressed, grades during the first week against Killeen hovered around the 60's or 70's. Last week's grades against Abilene High boasted nothing but 80's and 90's. Patterson said if the line receives a grade above 70, that usually correlates with a Cooper victory.

"I felt confident that our offensive line would develop," Allen said. "They had the talent and the size and it was their time as seniors to come through. Several have been playing in the JV system or before, or on the second team varsity, they worked hard to get their shot as seniors. They were ready and they've stayed healthy and improved, which is gratifying as a coach to watch that success as it happens."

Jeff Walker can be reached at 676-6711 or sports@abinews.com.