LSU’s offensive linemen have been working on a particular blueprint during spring practices.The blueprint calls for fundamental changes after the line gave up the most sacks in the Southeastern Conference in 2009 with 35.Fourth-year offensive line coach Greg Studrawa has urged the offensive line to get back to the basics and re-learn techniques.”It’s kind of like building a house,” said senior left tackle Joseph Barksdale. “You won’t be able to make it to the attic if you can’t lay a good foundation.”Fundamentals have been stressed more than usual in spring practices, Barksdale said.”We’re focusing a lot on technique and aggression,” Barksdale said. “[Studrawa’s] been pushing us to get better.”Another area of focus has been improving the running game, Barksdale said. The Tigers were second to last in the SEC in rushing yards in 2009 with 129.6 yards per game.”As far as the running game goes, we’ve definitely been improving this year.” Barksdale said. “If we can knock somebody off the ball, the running back will have his pick of the litter at what hole to go through.”Barksdale started 25 games the last two seasons at right tackle, but he is making the switch to left tackle after Ciron Black graduated.”It’s like flipping everything upside down,” Barksdale said. “The only way I’m going to get better at it is to keep repping it out.”Barksdale said moving from right to left tackle has been harder than switching from defensive to offensive line as he did his freshman year.The Detroit, Mich., native will have the second-most experienced LSU lineman next to him. Junior Josh Dworaczyk said he has been practicing at left guard, where he started all 12 games in 2009. Rene Nadeau, college football analyst for TigerVision and ESPN, said sophomore P.J. Lonergan has been seeing first-team action at center instead of junior T-Bob Hebert, who started every game but the Capital One Bowl in 2009.”Lonergan’s kind of overtaking him,” Nadeau said. “P.J.’s put a little space between them.”Nadeau said junior right guard Will Blackwell and sophomore right tackle Alex Hurst are getting first team reps. Neither Blackwell nor Hurst have a career start at LSU, but Barksdale said the young guys are filling in nicely.”The young guys are balling,” Barksdale said. “The young guys look good. The offensive line as a whole looks good.”Dworaczyk said he has been impressed with some of the backups, such as junior Greg Shaw and Josh Williford, a 6-foot-7-inch, 336-pound redshirt freshman.”Greg Shaw’s really stepping up and being a leader,” Dworaczyk said. “Williford’s got the height and weight. He surely looks like a great offensive lineman.”Nadeau said highly recruited redshirt freshman Chris Faulk could enter into the equation as well.”The coaches think he could be really good,” Nadeau said. “They think he could be the next Ciron Black.”LSU coach Les Miles said he’s willing to rotate linemen in spring practices until the best starting five is found.”There were a number of guys playing different spots,” Miles said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “We’ve improved a little on the offensive line.”Nadeau said it’s going to be tough for the offensive line to get better after losing starters Lyle Hitt and Black from the 2009 squad.”On paper they don’t look like they should be better,” Nadeau said. “There are some unanswered questions.”But chemistry could change the fortunes of the 2010 offensive line, Nadeau said.”You can’t underestimate chemistry,” Nadeau said. “It’s like a mini-team. Being in sync can overcome some lacking in ability.”
 
__
Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]