While the Gophers offensive line has often been a source of frustration this season, the man who coaches the unit receives high praise from head coach Tim Brewster. The Gophers rank last in the Big Ten Conference in both total offense and rushing, and eighth in passing. False starts, off sides and other mistakes have characterized a line that frequently has been unable to open holes for runners and at times provided minimal protection for quarterback Adam Weber when passing.
Brewster, though, expressed confidence earlier this week about offensive line coach Tim Davis who joined his staff late last year. The Davis resume includes coaching the Dolphins’ offensive line in the NFL and the same job at USC. “He’s as good a line coach as I have been around, and I’ve been around some great ones,” Brewster told Sports Headliners.
Like Davis, Brewster has coached in both the pros and college. The man Brewster regards as the absolute best in working with offensive lines is Hudson Houck, with the NFL Cowboys. Davis, Brewster said, learned from Houck.
The experience of Davis allows him to teach the complexities of offensive line play, according to Brewster. “It’s extremely technical work in teaching an offensive lineman, and he’s (Davis) had such a vast amount of experience in coaching at a very high level,” Brewster said. “Coaching the best offensive linemen in college football when he was at USC. Won a national championship. Coached the best offensive linemen in the world at Miami with the Dolphins. He’s got tremendous energy. There’s no substitute for passion and energy in coaching, and he’s got a bunch of it.”
Why the problems for the Gophers’ offensive line? Brewster acknowledges that the talent, experience and depth could be better. “I certainly believe that Tim has done the absolute best job he can in helping our offensive line grow,” Brewster said. “And I think our offensive line has improved in areas. They’ve done some good things this season.
“Our group has had three centers. That’s not a great thing for the offensive line to have the bell cow of the line be injured, and going to a second center, and now we’re on a third center. I think that obviously the continued development with Tim with our offensive line, we’re going to reap huge dividends as we move forward.”
The Gophers lost senior center Jeff Tow-Arnett for the season with a broken leg. He was the starter earlier in the year. Trey Davis, his replacement, hurt his ankle and was replaced by D.J. Burris.
Burris is a junior, Davis a sophomore. Their experience will help them in spring practice next season and even if one or both were switched to a different line position they will be able to compete for starting jobs. All starting positions will be open for competition in the spring, Brewster said.
Brewster is intrigued by the potential of two offensive linemen who are red shirting this fall as freshmen. Ed Olson and Brooks Michel figure to be in the competition next spring. The Gophers also have verbal commitments for their 2010 recruiting class from six offensive linemen (among 21 players), according to https://rivals100.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2010&School=46.