Torn, battered, and ripped to shreds.
Anyway you want to put it, the ASU offensive line has been pounced on in a negative way over the past few years, and rightfully so as the unit struggled mightily.
The focus to improve the play of the offensive line was great during the offseason and so far it has paid off.
“Thus far, I think we have played really well, compared to the last couple of years,” junior tackle Dan Knapp said. “We’ve played more as a group and more as a team.”
The switch to the new offense has really helped the offensive line. The quick passes don’t force the line to pass block for as long as it used to.
“The offense is simple[r], there are simple[r] schemes, simple[r] blocking assignments,” Knapp said. “Overall, I think that helps us and the mentality the offensive line has now. Because of the past couple of years, it is time to come out and actually help the team the way we want to.”
During the two games against FCS opponents, ASU coach Dennis Erickson got a chance to evaluate a lot of different linemen and get them game experience.
By the time ASU traveled to Madison to play Wisconsin, Erickson had a group of five linemen set. The only change he made from the original starting lineup was replacing junior Adam Tello with junior Mike Marcisz at left guard.
The move was beneficial, as Marcisz played well against UW.
“I thought Marcisz came in and played well at left guard for us,” Erickson said.
The newcomers to the offensive line have really helped stabilize the unit. Junior college transfer Brice Schwab has stepped in at right tackle, redshirt freshman Evan Finkenberg is manning the right guard position and Knapp was moved from tight end to left tackle.
Most programs want holdovers on the offensive line, but ASU was happy for a breath of fresh air. They needed newcomers to step up, especially after Zach Schlink and Matt Hustad had to retire due to injuries.
It was also out of the ordinary for a Pac-10 school to find its left tackle in a former tight end. Knapp worked hard in the offseason to make the position switch, completely transforming his body.
While there are some improvements needed, he has held his own at the most important position on the line.
“So far, I think it is going well,” Knapp said of the position change. “Everyone thought I picked it up a lot faster than they expected. It is a natural position for me. I should have started at left tackle a long time ago, to be honest.”
While playing UW was the first true test for the entire offensive line, it was the biggest challenge in Knapp’s career. He was matched up with UW star junior defensive end J.J. Watt.
“It helped me a lot,” Knapp said. “The first two weeks were so-so defensive end-wise, but this guy is an All-American, big dude. It helped me a lot and showed me what I have to improve on and what I’m good at.”
Pass protection has also been vastly improved. ASU has allowed four sacks this year. While that is still not great, it is middle of the road in the Pac-10, which is a vast improvement from the past few seasons.
One of the most talented and promising prospects in pass protection is junior college transfer Aderious Simmons. The massive tackle started playing football in junior college.
The NCAA didn’t clear Simmons until right before the start of the season, so he also missed crucial practice time.
In just a few weeks, he has already made up a lot of ground. Erickson plans to start working Simmons in at right tackle, rotating with Schwab.
“We have to get Aderious in at right tackle some; that’s an area that we have to look at a little bit,” Erickson said. “He is getting better all the time, he’s everything you want but he just hasn’t played.”
It’s still early in the season and a lot of things can happen, but one thing can be stated right now: The offensive line is improving all the time.
The group has bought in. They believe in the new system and the players surrounding them. Most importantly, they believe in themselves.
“It is a great confidence booster,” Knapp said of blocking for a successful offense. “Last year, we didn’t have that chemistry; we didn’t have those types of plays. With this, Steven makes plays or a receiver makes a play, the morale is up and makes us want to show the quarterbacks and receivers that we can do our job.”
It is a work in progress, but it is certainly no longer a liability.
“We’re playing okay,” Erickson said. “Obviously when you look at the tape there were some things we didn’t do as well as we needed to. But the offensive front, they’re getting better all the time.”
Reach the reporter at andrew.gruman@asu.edu
