Bolton, Figueroa Slide One Spot Over
8/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Three feet over. One step to the side. It doesn’t sound like much.
With that small amount of movement by starting right guard Jeff Bolton and backup center Lawrence Figueroa, Montana State head coach Mike Kramer hopes to solve his team’s most pressing need, a replacement for right tackle Joe Hirst, who will miss the season with a knee injury. Kramer said the move was driven by Bolton’s ability. “He is really a great, great player.”
Kramer, who played multiple positions during his career as an Idaho offensive lineman in the early ‘70s, said the switch shouldn’t be difficult for Bolton. “The hardest move is to center, because you’re at such a disadvantage with that ball between your feet,” he said. “Jeff won’t have any big problems. He’s big, he’s long-armed, he’s tough, and he has great balance. He has good lateral ability.”
The second part of the three-foot offensive line shift on Tuesday is Figueroa, who came to MSU as a center and won starting honors there at mid-season in 2003 before suffering a broken leg. “Lawrence is good enough to be on the field,” Kramer said. “He’s good enough to be playing, and it’s important to have him on the field because he’s such a good leader. And the way Zack (Wolf) is playing at center, I’m not sure he’ll get any time there.”
While Kramer continues to tinker with the right side of his offensive line, the left side remains intact, with redshirt freshman Peder Jensen at left tackle and sophomore Brant Birkeland at guard. “On the left side, it really feels like those guys have been there a long time even though neither one of them have started a game. With Peder Jensen and Brant Birkeland, it feels like they’re experienced because they’re so intelligent.”
Kramer said MSU’s offensive line will continue to evolve throughout fall camp. “This is another step in trying to figure out our best five linemen.”
With that small amount of movement by starting right guard Jeff Bolton and backup center Lawrence Figueroa, Montana State head coach Mike Kramer hopes to solve his team’s most pressing need, a replacement for right tackle Joe Hirst, who will miss the season with a knee injury. Kramer said the move was driven by Bolton’s ability. “He is really a great, great player.”
Kramer, who played multiple positions during his career as an Idaho offensive lineman in the early ‘70s, said the switch shouldn’t be difficult for Bolton. “The hardest move is to center, because you’re at such a disadvantage with that ball between your feet,” he said. “Jeff won’t have any big problems. He’s big, he’s long-armed, he’s tough, and he has great balance. He has good lateral ability.”
The second part of the three-foot offensive line shift on Tuesday is Figueroa, who came to MSU as a center and won starting honors there at mid-season in 2003 before suffering a broken leg. “Lawrence is good enough to be on the field,” Kramer said. “He’s good enough to be playing, and it’s important to have him on the field because he’s such a good leader. And the way Zack (Wolf) is playing at center, I’m not sure he’ll get any time there.”
While Kramer continues to tinker with the right side of his offensive line, the left side remains intact, with redshirt freshman Peder Jensen at left tackle and sophomore Brant Birkeland at guard. “On the left side, it really feels like those guys have been there a long time even though neither one of them have started a game. With Peder Jensen and Brant Birkeland, it feels like they’re experienced because they’re so intelligent.”
Kramer said MSU’s offensive line will continue to evolve throughout fall camp. “This is another step in trying to figure out our best five linemen.”
Monday, August 24
Monday, August 24
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
