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April 11, 2008
OXFORD, OHIO - Coach Shane Montgomery's Miami RedHawk football team completed its seventh of 15 spring practice sessions on Thursday (April 10) and progress is being made in several areas. One group that is being reshaped is at offensive line.
Though it will be without a pair of four-time letterwinners in Steve Meister (center) and Charlie Norden (left tackle), veterans could be positioned at each of the five spots on the front wall. The group is led by Third-Team All-MAC left guard Dave DiFranco and three-time letterman Steve Sutter. Sutter, a senior, will move from right tackle, where he started 13 games in 2007, to the all-important left tackle position.
Other veterans vying for playing time include nine-game starter Josh Satterthwait (Sr.) who moves to center, Bob Gulley (So.) and Zach Marshall (Jr.).
"So far, the kids have come out playing hard," said offensive line coach Matt Hohman. It's very apparent that pring ball is important to them, and they've gotten better. We are fortunate to have three guys who are fifth-year seniors who have played a lot of football, so I'm very excited about our older guys. Our young guys are beginning to make progress. There's a lot being thrown at them, both from me and our defense. Now that we're halfway through the spring, most everything has been installed. Hopefully, within the next two weeks, they can begin to settle down, and know what they're doing so that they can play a little faster. I just want to get the best five on the field."
Miami's Offensive Linemen:
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Dave DiFranco: A three-year starter who might be on the verge of becoming the top offensive lineman in the Mid-American Conference ... he has started 37 games during his career at right and left tackle, and, for the second season, at left guard ... led 2007 linemen in knockdowns and pins.
Steve Sutter: Started all 13 games at right tackle in 2007 but will move to left tackle in `08 ... a starter in 19 consecutive games ... originally recruited as a defensive end, he's been on the offensive side of the ball the last two seasons.
Josh Satterthwait: Started in nine games last season at right guard, including the last eight in a row ... originally recruited as a tight end, the two-year letterman now tips the scales at around 300 pounds.
Bob Gulley: Earned his first letter a year ago, getting the start at right guard against Minnesota, Cincinnati and Syracuse ... with three seasons of eligibility remaining, he has a bright future.
Zach Marshall: The imposing 6-foot-7, 312-pounder begins spring drills as the man to beat at right tackle ... played in 11 games in 2007.
Sophomore Nate Williams and redshirt freshmen Kevin Koncelik, Brandon Brooks, Ken Staudinger, Mike Madsen, Lee Zamos, and Steve Bray all will fight for playing time this spring.
Nate Williams: After limited playing time last season, he begins spring drills as the top back-up at both left and right tackle.
Kevin Koncelik: Redshirt freshman will be Dave DiFranco's top under-study.
Brandon Brooks: This promising young big man begins the spring as the back-up at both center and right guard.
Staudinger (RT), Madsen (RG), Zamos (LT), and Bray (C) also will get several reps this spring.
Recruits joining the RedHawks this fall include Brad Bednar, Nick Kemper, Matt Kennedy and Andrew Phelan.
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QUOTING Matt Hohman:
(on Steve Sutter switching from right tackle to left tackle) "Steve is a very athletic kid. He played some at left tackle last season and he definitely got some time in practice at that position. It has been a very seamless transition for him. He only gave up two sacks last year, so he was among our best pass protectors in 2007. I don't think we'll miss a beat with him moving from right tackle to left tackle."
(on replacing Steve Meister at center) "Josh Satterthwait has gotten lots of reps at center both last season and this spring. He's a very athletic player. He can sink his hips at center and he fits into the system very well. I'm a big believer that at that position you need a person who's intelligent and knows what is going on. He's done a very good job of snapping and blocking simultaneously. Brandon Brooks and Bob Gulley are also getting lots of reps at center. We need a player at that position who can help us win football games."
(on the potential of Brandon Brooks) "Brandon is a fun kid to be around. You see the body of work and you can't help but get excited. A kid with that type of ability--at 330 pounds who can move and run--his upside is off the charts. He's still learning to be a good football player. Brandon always comes in and studies extra film. Sometimes I think I'm hurting his progress by practicing him at two positions (center and right guard), but in the long run it's going to make him better."
--www.MURedHawks.com--
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