Line Call

The East Valley Tribune has some valuable insight into the developments of the offensive line, the most obvious concern of the team heading into the season.

Our pal, Dan Zeiger, brings some interesting tidbits about who will be protecting Rudy Carpenter this season.  Jon Hargis, a defensive line convert, looks most likely to be the starter at left tackle. They mention he has been a "pleasant surprise" and has handled his duties against Dexter Davis adroitly.

Hargis' backup will be junior college transfer Tom Njunge.  Erickson dubbed Njunge the "third tackle" and he got work the past week at both tackle spots since starting right tackle Matt Hustad went down with a knee injury.

Zeiger also checks in with injuries:
McGaha (toe) should be back in time for the NAU game. He has missed the past 8 practices.

Center Garth Gerhart (high ankle sprain) is day-to-day, so are DE James Brooks, RB Shaun DeWitty, WR Brandon Smith, and S Rodney Cox.

The AZ Republic takes a look at how All Pac-10 DE Dexter Davis overcomes somewhat of a size disadvantage to dominate the conference.  A RS JR this season, the 6'2, 252 pounder has started all 26 games in his career, and is coming off a spectacular 10.5 Sack sophomore campaign.

The article notes that Davis has become a quiet team leader on defense, leading by example with his extreme effort in practice, and his ability to translate coaching into immediate change on his technique.

Davis has been able to overcome his size with his solid technique and his great quickness off the edge, something he will refine this year.  Likely to face some more double teams after his big season, and inclusion on the 2008 Bronko Nagurski trophy watch list, he will put his skills to the test and prove whether he should be playing on Sundays or not.

With the first game approaching we will finish up the charting the depths segments, then move on to some season analysis.

Sorry for the sparse posting - we have been gearing up for the semester as well!