Will Texas A&M's offensive line be better in 2009?

(this is part of 30 questions/30 days devoted to the Texas A&M football game as the prepare for the 2009 season)

Last year was not a pleasant one for the Texas A&M offensive line. A unit that has developed an impressive number of players that have gone on to play in the NFL over the past couple of decades was a train wreck in 2008, doing a poor job run-blocking and giving up more sacks than any other unit in conference play. Some of that was due to a swarm of injuries, including those that ended the careers of Robbie Frost and Leroy Chevalier and ones that essentially left Lee Grimes playing on sheer grit alone. Some of it was due to lack of depth. But the bottom line was that the unit simply was not very good.

There is a good chance that the offensive line will be significantly better in 2009—if the injury bug doesn’t bite with the ferocity of last year. Some offseason publications have ranked them as high as 18^th in the nation, which is a testament to their potential.

Starters Kevin Matthews (center), Grimes (tackle) and Michael Shumard (guard) return, giving the line a bit of consistency it lacked last year. Lucas Patterson moves from defensive tackle to left tackle, and LSU transfer Matt Allen is the leading candidate to take the other guard position.

Even though it looks like questions about who the starters are (if healthy) are answered, there are still more than plenty to go around. The biggest, of course, is whether Patterson can not only the switch from defense to offense, but is he ready to play the most important position on the offensive line? Can Grimes, who switched from guard to tackle last year in desperation, ready to take right tackle job full time? Can Allen shake off the rust of essentially two years on the sidelines to be effective? Can this bunch become a cohesive unit?

They’re already behind the curve on the cohesive question, since injuries held several of them out during spring practice. But a month of consistent work should be enough to have them ready to go Sept. 5.

Depth remains a serious issue, however. Evan Eike and Joe Villavisencio both return and will probably be the backups at guard. There is no real depth at tackle, though, as can be attested to the presence of Vincent Williams on two-deep. That’s why Coach Mike Sherman thinks as many as three true freshmen will contribute this season. The one most likely to see significant playing time is 6’5”, 300-lb. Stephen Barerra, who will probably crack the two-deep by the end of two-a-days.

With Barerra, Rhonte Scales and Patrick Lewis already on campus and a truly outstanding crop of commits for 2010 (including Kevin Matthews’ brother, Jake), the offensive line will be a strength in a couple of years. Right now, however, it’s a question mark. If the starters stay healthy, the offensive line probably won’t be a strength, but certainly a great improvement over last year. But you’ll forgive Sherman if he holds his breath through August, praying for no injuries.