Cliff: Talking O-line

The offensive line at work on Wednesday afternoon.

My main story in Thursday’s GT looks at the two OTs, Mike Remmers and Michael Philipp. You can read about them and the task they have this season here.

Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said the plan from spring practice  to move Philipp to guard ended because he considered all the experience Philipp gained as a true freshman last year, and wanted him to have a big jump in development as a veteran and not start over at guard.

There’s a reference in the linked story about Remmers needing to be mean. Cavanaugh has been talking about that for some time. This is what he had to say about the development.

“I think it’s coming,” Cavanaugh said. “He’s strong. He’s really improved his strength. I asked the linemen after BYU loss (last year in the Las Vegas Bowl), to get stronger and have a nastier attitude. Those are two things we are trying to get going.”

The backup OTs were also addressed in the linked story. Cavanaugh hopes to get LT Wilder McAndrews and RT Colin Kelly a series or two in games to prepare them.

Cavanaugh said there’s no timeline to name a starter at the open RG spot. It’s just up to coach Mike Riley to make the decision when the time is right. The competition has been whittled down to Ellis Burke, Michael Lamb and Ryan Pohl.

My guess remains Burke. He has been taking the turns with the first string. We’ll see if the remains the same after full gear workouts start Friday.

The running backs get ready to run behind the line later in Wednesday’s practice.