It’s the most unheralded position on the field. Some would say the most boring. But they, the Penn State offensive linemen, are just as critical as the quarterback (a position in transition in State College this fall) in getting accomplished the things offensive coordinator Jay Paterno is trying to do. O Linemen don’t even have a statistic (unless you count pancake blocks) to reference to hang their numerical productivity hat. But Happy Valley has one of the Big Ten and the nation’s best in Center/Guard Stefen Wisniewski.
I recently spoke with the All-Big Ten and third team All-American from last season, asking him what he thinks he needs to work on to reach the next level.
By Paul M. Banks
“I’m always working on technique, you can never work on it enough,” he responded.
“I’m trying to work on finishing, putting more players on the ground, as I’m a senior here and I’ve gone from being a freshman where most guys are stronger than me to now, I’m at a point where I’m stronger than most of the people I’m blocking. My uncle was one of those guys that always blocked through the whistle and I’ve tried to learn from him.”
That uncle is former Penn State All-American Guard Steve Wisniewski. Who went on to make the Pro Bowl eight of his thirteen seasons with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders.
So obviously blocking is in the Wisniewski blood. Other people might not care about the OL a whole lot, but I enjoy listening to offensive linemen talk about their craft. I asked Stefen what he believes his biggest strength is.
“Probably technique, I pride myself on having really good technique, taking right steps, having good leverage, and putting my hands in the right spots,” he responded.
It will be interesting to see who emerges from camp as the starting quarterback. Wisniewski was asked about highly heralded freshman Paul Jones, a very dark horse candidate to get the job in 2010, but perhaps the future of the position for the Nittany Lions.
“He was fast and he’s a smart kid. Of course I like him, he’s from Pittsburgh.”
Jones likes to run a lot, and sometimes that changes the mindset of the big uglies leading the way.
“Sometimes you got to block a little longer when you have a QB who likes to run, I always have the mentality that I’m going to block as if the guy is behind me, but if he’s running you’re not sure which way he’s going,” Wisniewski said.
Written by Paul M. Banks, president and CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest-focused webzine. He is also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Chicago Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football.com, the Washington Times Communities, Yardbarker Network and Fox Sports.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru