Auburn Tigers Football Burning Questions: The Offensive Line

With the pandemonium that is National Signing Day now behind us, it is time again to shift attention to the on the field product for the 2010 Auburn Tigers. 

Spring practice gets going next month, and it will serve as the beginning of position battles that will last through summer workouts, all the way into fall practices and on until the first game of the year.

Looking at Auburn's offensive line, there should not be many question marks, at least with the starting five.  The Tigers return four out of five starters from last year's unit that helped produce a 1,300 yard rusher and also protected an immobile quarterback who threw for 2,600 yards and 22 touchdowns.

While not always the most popular bunch on a revamped 2009 Tiger team, the offensive line proved they could physically hang with SEC defenses.  It is the mental aspect of their play will be the under the microscope when August rolls around on the Plains.

Perhaps the biggest problem with 2009's O line was one that Auburn fans heard about all too much last year.  The D word, depth.  The linemen didn't have much help in the form of rest and, while playing in a Gus Malzhan spread that puts great emphasis on running as many plays as possible and wearing down the defense, it's understandable that the big boys on offense can get just as fatigued as the defenders.

Recognizing that, Gene Chizik and his staff went out and signed arguably the best offensive line class in the country. Not only did they add quantity, signing six linemen, they loaded up on quality—the type of quality that will not only add depth, but that will push for serious playing time and starting jobs.  In fact, I put three out of this class in my Top Ten Impact Signees , and that still may have sold it short.

Let's take a look at what Auburn fans have to look forward to in the trenches in 2010.  We will focus on the returning starters from 2009 and the signee class that could make moves or shake things up in 2010:

Lee Ziemba   LT—The four-year starter has had perhaps the most perplexing career at Auburn of anyone in quite some time.  The highly touted and sought-after OT from Arkansas was a part of another memorable recruiting class in 2007, and upon arrival, he did not disappoint.  Ziemba was the opening game starter, and won nearly every freshman award possible after a stellar year.

Since then, Ziemba has struggled, as the entire team did in '08, but also last season.  His talent has not disappeared, but at times it seems his concentration has.  Ziemba drew the ire of Auburn fans regularly with false start and holding penalties that always seemed to come at the most inopportune times.

Ziemba certainly has the size and talent to be an All-American caliber player, and he should prove that in his last season playing at the ever-important left tackle spot for the Tigers.

Ryan Pugh C—Another member of the 2007 class, Pugh saw ample playing time as a freshman, but not at his now cemented center position. He was moved around and filled in nicely everywhere he lined up.  I consider Pugh by far the most consistent, versatile lineman returning next season.

Pugh will be leader on this unit, and a good one at that. 

Byron Isom LG—Isom started seven games as a redshirt sophomore in '08, and started every game he suited up for in 2009.  He quickly became a solid player with good speed and quickness that is utilized on running plays that require him to get on the edge and find defenders to move.

Mike Berry RG—Like Isom, Berry will be another fifth year senior with plenty of experience and talent.  Berry started in three games as a redshirt freshman and saw ample playing time all over the O-line in his sophomore year before settling into the right guard spot in 2009. 

Similar to Isom, Berry has good feet and quickness that comes in handy for the run-first Malzhan offense.

Now, for a look at the incoming freshman that will push for playing time and possibly starting jobs:

Roszell Gayden — Though I am not ranking the OL signees, I have this massive tackle on the top of my list for two reasons:

1. He is a JUCO transfer from College of the Sequoias which means he has been going against better competition and has had two years to polish his skills.

2. He was an early signee who is already on campus and will get into the mix right away next month at spring practice.

Shon Coleman —This young man from Mississippi skyrockets up the recruiting rankings with a great senior year.  Auburn offered early, and though he put quite a scare into Tigers fans by taking other visits until the very end, Coleman stuck to his word and signed with AU on Feb. 3.

Playing in virtually every All-Star game out there, Coleman continued to impress against top-notch competition. He looks to see playing time very quickly in the 2010 season.

Eric Mack —Another somewhat controversial commit (lose the "somewhat" if you're a South Carolina fan), Mack was committed to the Gamecocks throughout most of the recruiting process.  But midway through January, the talented lineman announced he would be playing for the Auburn Tigers.

There have been rumors about Mack's weight, but the Auburn coaching and training staffs will have him at an ideal size in no time.

Ed Christian —Christian may be the most overlooked lineman in this year's class.  Christian is very athletic and is known for his run blocking skills.  Scout.com describes him as having a "nasty streak" and being a hard-nosed player that hustles to the very end. 

Christian will have to add size and strength, but should be great for competition and pushing the other players to get better.

Chad Slade —Slade is still considered pretty raw, but the Auburn staff offered early, and Slade committed in July.  It's obvious they see something in this massive lineman, and with a full-time college program, he should be ready to go in a year or so.  Slade is a possible redshirt candidate.

Tunde Fariyike —God Bless You.  This young man was a late addition to the 2010 class, and many think is a real sleeper.  But don't sleep on this young man, as he is intelligent enough to learn the game on the college level. 

If nothing else, Fariyike only reinforces Gene Chizik's comments about bringing student- athletes to campus.  At 6'3", 295, he will certainly get his shot.  Look for Fariyike to redshirt, and graduate in three years.

Brandon Mosley —Though listed as a tight end out of JUCO in Coffeyville, Kansas, Mosley projects as an offensive lineman.  He will have to add weight, but with tight end-type athleticism he should get on the field in some capacity in 2010.

No to be forgotten or dismissed, here is a list of returning offensive linemen backups that saw playing time in 2009 and should certainly get a shot in 2010:

• Jared Cooper
• Bart Eddins
• John Sullen
• Jorell Bostrom

As has turned out to be the theme of Gene Chizik's first full year on the recruiting trail, depth and talent has been procured in this offensive line class.  It won't be long before the questions of whether or not Chizik can coach will certainly be answered.