Daily Trainer #4: Birkeland Makes Short Move
8/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
There was a short time last week when Brant Birkeland's move to center didn't seem like a great idea. Shortly after facing a defense for the first time, the guard-turned-center began having trouble completing the quarterback-center exchange.
"We're good now," laughs Bobcat quarterback Travis Lulay.
Indeed, one day early in fall camp, MSU fumbled seven snaps. "We knew that would take time," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "Brant's doing fine. It will take time a while, but he's a very good athlete. Sometimes he wants to use his athleticism to hop out there into blocking position before the snap is exchanged, but he'll get it."
Bobcat offensive line coach Jason McEndoo finds a lot of attributes that suit Birkeland for the center position. "He weighs 270 lbs, which is just right for the position," said McEndoo, who needed to retool the offensive line after two-year starter Zack Wolf went down with a possible season-ending knee injury in the spring. "He has very good explosion, he's mentally sharp, he knows the offense. Plus, he's nasty. I like that. You need to bring a little attitude to the position."
A junior from Helena, Birkeland said the mental part of the transition has been smooth. "I know what's going on from playing guard," he said. "It's about what I expected. Once you get the snap down, it's really the same as playing guard."
With preseason All-America Jeff Bolton back in his natural position at left guard, and Lawrence Figueroa entrenched at right guard, McEndoo has never doubted Birkeland's ability to move over to center. "The thing I really like is that he comes to work every day," said MSU's third-year offensive line coach. "He has a great attitude. He wants to be the best."
"We're good now," laughs Bobcat quarterback Travis Lulay.
Indeed, one day early in fall camp, MSU fumbled seven snaps. "We knew that would take time," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "Brant's doing fine. It will take time a while, but he's a very good athlete. Sometimes he wants to use his athleticism to hop out there into blocking position before the snap is exchanged, but he'll get it."
Bobcat offensive line coach Jason McEndoo finds a lot of attributes that suit Birkeland for the center position. "He weighs 270 lbs, which is just right for the position," said McEndoo, who needed to retool the offensive line after two-year starter Zack Wolf went down with a possible season-ending knee injury in the spring. "He has very good explosion, he's mentally sharp, he knows the offense. Plus, he's nasty. I like that. You need to bring a little attitude to the position."
A junior from Helena, Birkeland said the mental part of the transition has been smooth. "I know what's going on from playing guard," he said. "It's about what I expected. Once you get the snap down, it's really the same as playing guard."
With preseason All-America Jeff Bolton back in his natural position at left guard, and Lawrence Figueroa entrenched at right guard, McEndoo has never doubted Birkeland's ability to move over to center. "The thing I really like is that he comes to work every day," said MSU's third-year offensive line coach. "He has a great attitude. He wants to be the best."
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