[BJWilliams]

We conclude our look at the offense side of the ball looking at the big boys in the trenches:

Players Lost:

Mark Tomlin
Toney White

Players Returning:
Malcolm Boyd First Team All-Conference
Mitch Hanson
Stan Herring
Trevor Jenkins (2011 Redshirt)
Grant Jones
Aaron Lundy Second Team All-Conference
Andre Mondor
Greg Ray
DJ Sellman
Hunter Steward
Jay Weatherington
Kevin Widener

Malcolm Boyd will be the anchor for this group after a breakout season in 2011. Grant Jones stepped right in as a freshman and did very well. Very experienced group. Look for Boyd, Jones, Lundy, Weatherington and Herring to be the frontrunners for their respective positions but by the time we do fall preview, we could see quite a competition for the line positions

[flamehunter]

Hanson was named a starter coming out of spring practice. I know that can change, but he also won most improved player award. Looking for a solid line this year.

[Rooster Cogburn]

and his dad is on the board...

[BJWilliams]

That's just my own speculation. hanson being named starter out of spring helps a lot, but things can change from spring ball to training camp so let's hope he keeps the good habits he picked up going into summer workouts and camp

[flamehunter]

and his dad is on the board...

?? What board?

[Rooster Cogburn]

Um, this, one. HELLO!!!

[BiggAl57]

and his dad is on the board...

there are a few dads on this board

[flamehunter]

Um, this, one. HELLO!!!

If you are talking about ProudPapa73, that's not him. I made that mistake a while back in spring game thread:

Congrats to ProudPapa, Mitch won the Samkon Gado award as the most improved player! Hard work paying off.

Sorry for any confusion...I am not related to Mitch...73 was my number...but yes my son is on the team...don't want to embarrass him so I use a screen name to keep from doing so. But I too congratulate Mitch. He is a big body too!

Go Flames!!!

[jbock13]

Beej you did the year 2011 again... should be 2012.

[BJWilliams]

Thanks for the catch...as for Hanson, like I said, as long as he keeps up the good play and habits that earned him that most improved award, I would not be surprised to see him be starting game 1. itll be interesting to see if Coach Gill is as willing to redshirt everyone as Coach Rocco was or if by the time we get to training camp and my next round of previews, we see somebody like Aharown Campbell fighting for a spot on the two deep

[Stevev]

I read in an article that Hunter Stewart was named a starter and he seemed to get a lot of attention as the one that kind of stood out and that the coaches were impressed with him. That is according to what I read about him transferring from UVA and playing D line for us last year as a backup and the move to the O line was to try to get him in the right position and to get his weight up to 310. Mitch Hansen was a surprise starter and that is good to see since the O line has not been that good for the last 2 seasons so changes are a good thing. Campbell and Grant Jones were seen as potential starters or at least key reserves.

[lubball]

don't forget ...Ray did start 3 games last year due to Boyd's injury and the offense never missed a beat. As for Hanson, he's a smart kid and hard worker he'll stay in the mix. OL will be strong.

[BJWilliams]

Line certainly is looking like a strength...two guys lost and only one of them saw significant time. This certainly will help the running and passing games.

[thepostman]

I never read these, but good for you BJ for putting in all this work. I do miss SJ coming and correcting you on everything you go wrong. That was always my favorite off season pass time

[BJWilliams]

lol...yeah, Jon always kept me on my toes thats for sure. maybe he is too busy enjoying being married to bother with it

[SuperJon]

lol...yeah, Jon always kept me on my toes thats for sure. maybe he is too busy enjoying being married to bother with it

Nope. That's not it at all. I just don't know enough about the team anymore and I enjoyed "keeping you on your toes" in all of your other posts.

[thepostman]

yeah I could really us the entertainment, haha