The quarterback shoots left, turns right and throws the ball. The wide receiver catches it in the end zone and the football team scores. The crowd goes wild and everyone cheers on the stars of the offense. As ESPN announces the unbelievable execution of the Glory Positions, no one seems to congratulate the offensive linemen on their job well done.

The offense does not have a chance at succeeding without its offensive line. The offensive linemen not only protect their teammates from getting tackled, but they are also the main reason a play can be completed. The offensive line deserves to receive credit for the work they do.

“The offensive line is the most important part of a football team. Without them, the quarterback, running backs and receivers will be unsuccessful,” said offensive line coach Cory Chandler. “Basically the offensive line is the engine to the car. Without the engine, the offense does not operate.”

The offensive line requires more discipline and technique than any other position. The main goal of the offensive line is to prevent the defense from attacking the ball carrier. The center is the only person on the line who actually touches the ball; the rest of the men have the crucial job of blocking the biggest guys on the field during every play in order to achieve any type of success.

In order to be the best they can be, the offensive line constantly works on footwork, hand placement, technique and combo blocking drills.

“Recognition of the plays, our football IQ, is very important,” said captain and offensive lineman, senior Tyler Rinck. “If we understand the defense and have a good first step firing off the ball, we have an advantage in the game.”
Football players are usually stereotyped as unintelligent; however, they are constantly tested when they need to decide what they are going to do on the field. They must make a decision in an instant what exactly must be done to score.

“Depending on the team and the offense coupled with the various defensive fronts that the opposing defense may run, the offensive line may have to memorize 50-150 different plays and assignments depending on the formations and the offense they are running,” said Chandler.

The majority of the time when fans watch a football game, they focus on the person throwing or catching the ball, but a lot of the hard work is done in what is known as “the trenches.” The lack of credit has a direct correlation to the lack of knowledge a fan or the media has on the offensive line position directly affects the amount of credit that the players receive. The people want to see exciting highlights because that is what ultimately sells. The media reports information that will cause the ratings to go up, and fans would much rather hear about how USC quarterback Matt Barkley opened the season with a 75-yard touchdown pass than about how center Khaled Holmes protected him.

“As a quarterback, the offensive line is basically my team of personal guardians; they protect my life,” said captain and quarterback, senior Ike Fuchs. “They are true warriors who do not get nearly enough credit and deserve so much more for the hard work they do. They are the heart of the team and the key for success.”

Most offensive linemen do not care about the lack of credit they receive, but that does not mean they do not deserve it. In general, a compliment gives a player that boost of confidence to perform even better.

“As an offensive line you know you are not playing for the recognition; you are playing for your team,” said Rinck. “The whole point is to just play for my team and to win.”