Gopher Football
– Center
For the fourth consecutive year, true senior Greg Eslinger (6’3″, 285) will be leading the way for the Gophers on the offensive line. Everyone should know by now what Eslinger can do. Ever since he was a freshman, writers, announcers and coaches have raved about Eslinger’s ability to get out in front of a running play from his center position. That athletic ability combined with his toughness and technique is what makes him so good. Last season Eslinger became the first Gopher player in over 40 years to get first Team All-Big Ten honors by the media and the coaches two seasons in a row. He also has been named to various All American teams during these two seasons. Across the nation there probably will not be a more experienced center in terms of number of snaps taken in their career so far, so this year expect more of the same from Greg. Barring injuries, anything less a three-peat on the All ““Big Ten and All American teams would be a disappointment.
– Guard
Lining up to the left of Eslinger is Mark Setterstrom (6’3″, 295), another fourth year senior. Also like Eslinger, Setterstrom has been a starter ever since he arrived on campus in 2002. At the Big Ten Media Day earlier this week, Coach Mason claimed that Setterstrom is about as good as Eslinger, but gets overlooked. Mason has also commented that he thinks Setterstrom is the toughest player in the team, and the one guy on the line he wouldn’t want to go up against head to head. As a player, Setterstrom took a nice step forward last year. His efforts were recognized by the media as an All-Big Ten first team selection. It would be fun this season to see Setterstrom develop his own identity and get his share of the praise.
At the other guard spot is one of the new starters, Mike Nicholson (6’5″ 285). Most of Nicholson’s career has been spent as a backup, but that does not necessarily mean he doesn’t have talent. Mason was harping Nicholson’s praises when he was a true freshman, but due to a couple of guy’s named Eslinger and Setterstrom, Nicholson never really found his niche on the first team. Mike did start out 2003 as the starting Right Tackle, but by the end of the year Joe Ainslie had taken over those duties. Even so, Nicholson has been a key reserve for the Gophers through the years and has seen a fair amount of playing time. The Gopher line should be in great shape with Mike at right guard.
– Tackle
At one tackle spot is junior Joe Ainslie. So far in his career Joe hasn’t gathered the headlines that Eslinger & Setterstrom have, but even so he’s still been a very dependable, steady performer. At 6’7″ 305 pounds, Ainslie fits in the mold of what Minnesota has been going with at tackle the past few years, a strong, mobile guy who can run and get downfield in front of the play. Joe has been starting since mid way through his freshman year and has 17 career starts, so this gives the Gophers another experienced veteran to rely on.
The other tackle spot may not be completely settled yet. Heading into spring practice, sophomore Steve Shidell was listed as the starter. But by the end of spring practice another sophomore, Tony Brinkhaus was listed as the starter. Last year Brinkhaus was the guy called upon to see some action when there were injuries, but Shidell has been improving and can’t be counted out of the picture yet. Both players are similar in stature to the rest of the offensive line (6’4″-6’5″, 285 ““ 295pounds) so the course of the offense probably won’t hinge on who wins the battle. Either way the Gophers again should be in good shape.
– Depth
The bad news for the Gophers on the OL is that at this point is that they do not have a ton of depth. The most reliable backup would probably be Brinkhaus or Shidell; whichever one does not win a starting tackle spot. Backing up at center and guard is Tyson Swaggert, a fourth year junior who has had the unlucky tasks of backing up Greg Eslinger for the past three years. The other backup at guard is Tommy Jacobs, a sophomore walkon. Jacobs has been improving steadily during his career and could find himself as a starter next year after Nicholson and Setterstrom graduate. If Brinkhaus wins the starting job, a situation would exist where no Gopher backups on the OL will have seen any significant game experience in meaningful situations. This is a slight cause for concern, and I’m sure is a situation that fans and coaches hope doesn’t need to be addressed on a large scale.
Around the Big Ten . . .
Most of the regulars will once again have strong offensive lines this season. Michigan, who just seems to keep plugging in All Americans year after year, is Minnesota’s top competition for the best O-Line in the conference. The Wolverines are led by seniors Adam Stenevich and Matt Lenz, both of whom were first team All-Big Ten selections a year ago. Overlooked in this group is Jake Long, a second team All-Big selection of a year ago who some Michigan fans think might be the best of the three. Expect Iowa’s offensive line to rebound this year. Even though they disappointed last year, all five starters return and Iowa’s coaching staff has a great history of developing strong OL units. The only other returning All Big Ten selection is Northwestern’s Zach Strief. The 6’7″ senior is the star on an otherwise weaker than average unit. After having a good line last year, Wisconsin will be breaking in four new starters. Expect Bucky to go through some growing pains, similar to how Iowa struggled last year.
Last Year . . .
You really couldn’t have asked for a whole lot more from the Gopher line last season. Once again the Gopher line continued to be a dominant force in run blocking, paving the way for the backs to average 5.4 yards per carry. What’s a bit surprising is the excellent job the line did in pass protection. In twelve games they allowed only nine sacks. There were a few down moments during the course of the season (such as the Michigan State game), but all it all you still have to be pleased. Center Greg Eslinger, left tackle Rian Melander and left guard Mark Setterstrom all were honored as first team All-Big Ten selections.
Summary . . .
There’s not a lot to say, other than it should be another season of Minnesota having a great offensive line. Between Eslinger, Setterstrom & Ainslie there is already 8 years of starting experience. Throw in a 5th year senior as one of the new starters and a sophomore that they coaches are very high on and you have the makings of another great unit. One of these days, and that day may never come, teams may start to figure out how to attack the Gopher offensive line to and stuff the running game. But until that happens, the line simply needs to go out there and keep doing what they’ve been doing. They’ve developed into the core of what has become one of the better offensive football teams in the nation over the past three seasons.