One of the most intense drills for ASU linemen only lasts about five seconds. But those five seconds feature explosive athleticism and bragging rights are on the line.
The drill is called one on one pass-protection. The starting offensive line lines up in their respective positions. Then the defensive linemen choose witch guard, tackle or center they want to challenge.
When the ball snaps every player takes their first three steps but one pair of linemen competes in a full-speed pass rush drill for a couple seconds. If the defensive lineman gets past the offensive lineman, he wins.
The defensive has no responsibilities, no restrictions. They are only thinking one thing, get to the quarterback.
The offensive only has one responsibility; don’t let him get to the quarterback.
Offensive line coach Bob Connelly said the drill is designed to simulate certain game situations.
“It’s the toughest situation that offensive linemen will ever be in,” Connelly said. “I tell them I want them to have a mindset that’s third and twelve, everyone in the stadium knows it’s a pass.”
The offensive might be at a disadvantage during the drill but they do not use it as an excuse. They still want to win to be able say they were the superior line that day.
“You got the guy against you, he is looking across from you and you know that you got to beat him,” said redshirt junior offensive tackle Evan Finkenberg, “I think it is an exciting deal for us because it is kind of my will against your will. Who’s going to try harder? Who is going to get the win?”
Thursday’s drill started with a win for the defense.
Redshirt senior tackle Brice Schwab puts his hand in the grass with his right foot way behind his left, ready for the rush.
Junior defensive end Junior Onyeali is stationed far to the left of Schwab to have a better angle at the imaginary quarterback.
The ball is snapped. Schwab immediately snapped his head up with his hands ready while simultaneously taking two steps back.
Onyeali takes a hard step to the left.
Both linemen engage hands for a split second. Then Onyeali cuts the right, torques his body and starts to spin inside.
After a quick spin, Onyeali uses his left hand to push off Schwab. One nothing d-line.
The offense answers back later in the drill.
Finkenberg was beaten by redshirt junior defensive lineman Will Sutton.
The coaches set up the rep again, this time Finkenberg mirrors Sutton with good footwork. At just the right time Finkenberg shoot his hands into Sutton’s chest pads. Finkenberg has him pinned and continues to keep Sutton under control until the drill is over.
And so the drill goes, with each unit getting some victories. Junior defensive lineman Davon Coleman said if you win the battle you have the bragging rights for the day.
The drill gives the defensive line man to work on small details in their pass rush or try out new moves on the starting offensive line.
“It’s great competition,” Coleman said. “I work with the best when we go against them. That’s just a good way to sharpen our iron.”
It is a fiery battle during the drill in the trenches. There is also a competition between the two coaches standing a couple feet behind their men.
“Myself and coach Connelly we’ve worked together prior so we’re always trying to get our guys to win the drill no question about it,” said defensive line coach Paul Randolph.
After one rep both Connelly and Randolph had their backs to each other, teaching one of their players.
Randolph said the exercise is a good coaching tool because all the linemen are watching the pair competing. If there is a glaring issue the coaches can then address it to the entire unit.
The players do want to beat each other. But at the end of the day, they are all wear maroon and gold
Players and coaches hope the drill will results in either side of the line winning on a third and long on Saturdays against linemen in different colors.
