Aug. 15, 2014
SAN DIEGO -
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Position previews: Size and experience abound for an O-line looking to rebound
By Michael Klitzing
Returners with starting experience: C Zach Dilley, senior; RG Darrell Greene, junior; LT Terry Poole, senior; LG Nico Siragusa, sophomore; C Jordan Smith, junior
Departures with starting experience: LT Bryce Quigley, LG Japheth Gordon
Overview
By almost anyone's standards, Darrell Greene is a massive individual. Checking in at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, the San Diego State football team's junior left guard probably wouldn't get hassled in even the roughest of biker bars.
Now consider this: As the depth chart stands right now, Greene is the shortest man on the Aztecs' line. Indeed, the days when the Aztecs were all-too-frequently outmuscled in the trenches are long gone. But offensive line coach Mike Schmidt knows size isn't everything.
"I think we're big and we're athletic and, but thing we're working hard on is working together, communication, and our overall techniques," Schmidt said.
So how's it coming? So far so good.
"We're moving a lot faster than we were at this time a year ago," he said.
Recapping 2013
Early evidence of improvement is certainly encouraging, as the Aztecs' line last year labored through a disappointing season that frustrated and baffled head coach Rocky Long. The talent was there. The results weren't.
Despite returning star running back Adam Muema and introducing the electrifying Donnel Pumphrey, SDSU's running game - so dominant in its Mountain West title season of 2012 - ranked a mediocre ninth in the Mountain West in total yardage. And the 30 sacks the Aztecs allowed were the most in the MW.
"We've got to do a much better job from a year ago," Schmidt said. "We've got to make sure in the run game that we're expanding space, that we're moving the defensive linemen off their spot and that we continue to pressure and finish blocks so the running backs are clean to the second level."
Student of the game
In his first year of FBS game action in 2013, Terry Poole impressed many observers while turning in a solid season at right tackle. But the athletic 6-foot-5, 310-pounder has impressed his position coach more by what he's done since.
Namely working on technique and devoting himself to film study.
"He's become a much better worker - he wants to be really good," Schmidt said. "He understands he has a couple flaws he needs to get corrected, and he's working his tail off to get them fixed."
If those things - shortening footwork, getting hands from the ground to the defender as quickly as possible - get fixed? Poole, who is moving to the left tackle position to replace All-MW second teamer Bryce Quigley, may just move onto some NFL team draft boards.
Quick and nasty
Coming into camp, only two players had positions secured on the line. One was Poole. The other was the man Schmidt calls his most athletic lineman and Long calls his nastiest.
That would be Greene meriting the high praise. The former high school basketball star moved into the starting lineup in Week 2 last season and showed the same quickness and aggressiveness in the trenches that he used to display crashing the boards.
"He's so quick," Schmidt said. "When he comes off the ball and he knows what's happening, he's going to move the defender off his spot."
The battle rages
As fall camp entered its second week, three position were yet unsettled. One surprise has come at center, where senior Zach Dilley - thought to be in the mix at right tackle and left guard - has moved to the top of the depth chart, supplanting junior Jordan Smith.
Elsewhere, Nico Siragusa must fight to hold off fellow sophomores Arthur Flores and Austin Maass at left guard, while massive community college transfer Pearce Slater appears to have the inside track at right tackle over senior Garrett Corbett.
"He's finally got a grasp on what we're trying to do," Schmidt said of Slater. "But he's got to be able to perform consistently, play after play."
Promising future
It's unknown if Joe Salcedo will see the much if any playing time this year - he's currently third on the depth chart at right tackle. But the way the 6-foot-7 true freshman is drawing raves from Schmidt, don't be surprised to hear his name again sooner rather than later.
"He's kind of on a mission," Schmidt said. "He was really timid coming in, big eyed like a lot of freshmen, but I threw him in the Warrior drill the other day and he drove another freshman out of the circle real quick. He's been a different guy since that moment. He's got a little confidence to him, and he competes in everything he does."
Projected two-deep
LT-Terry Poole, Kwayde Miller
LG-Nico Siragusa, Arthur Flores
C-Zach Dilley, Lenicio Noble
RG-Darrell Greene, Antonio Rosales
RT-Pearce Slater, Garrett Corbett