2009 Oregon Ducks Preview: Offensive Line

(Photo By Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

On paper, Oregon's achilles heal appears to be the offensive line. With Max Unger and Fenuki Tupou off to the NFL via the draft, along with the graduation of Mark Lewis, Jacob Hucko, and Jeff Kendall, the Ducks lose four starters and a key reserve.

Before writing off the Ducks this season, it is important to take a closer look at the facts. 

Oregon's no huddle-spread offense forces their offensive linemen to run much more than traditional units. Oregon not only relies on an exceptional conditioning program, but also uses frequent substitutions to keep their linemen fresh.

Last year the Ducks rotated nine players in and out of the lineup. While the one constant on the field, Max Unger, is now playing up I-5 for the Seahawks, the Ducks do return four players with significant game experience.

Anchoring the 2009 Ducks offensive line will be C.E. Kaiser. The 6'4'', 290 pound Junior is the lone returning starter from last years unit. While Kaiser lined up last season mostly at guard, he will enter fall camp at right tackle this season.

Starting out at right guard this season will be Mark Asper. The 6'7'', 323 pound Sophomore played in seven games last season for the Ducks, including starting at right tackle for the Holiday Bowl game versus Oklahoma State. 

Asper originally signed with the Ducks in 2007, but delayed enrollment to serve an LDS mission. After dusting off the cobwebs from not practicing or playing for a couple of years, Asper came on strong, inserting his way into the rotation.

A four-game starter and another key member of the rotation last season for the Ducks, is Jordan Holmes. Holmes was originally slotted to start at guard, but when Hamani Stevens decided last winter to put his career on hold to serve an LDS mission, Jordan moved over to center.

Holmes, a 6'5'', 285 pound Junior, brings the athleticism necessary to play the position for the Ducks, where centers are required to pull and lead the way on their bread-and-butter play--the read-option. Holmes ability to block in space will be key for the Duck running backs to once again turning five yard runs into long touchdowns. 

Entering fall camp at left guard is another member of the heralded 2007 recruiting class, Carson York (6'5'', 285). The reshirt-freshman was a four star recruit, coming out of high school, was one of six Duck recruits to play in that seasons rivals.com Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which was televised on ESPNU.

Protecting Jeremiah Masoli's backside this season at left tackle this season will be another key member of last years rotation, Bo Thran. Thran a 6'5'', 295 pound Junior, played in all thirteen games last season, and is versatile enough to play all offensive line positions for the Ducks.

While Asper, Holmes, and Kaiser are all vertual locks to start somewhere on the line this season, there will be some fierce competition at all positions this fall.

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