Leaders must emerge on Mountaineer line
http://www.dailymail.com/story/Sports/20...neer-line/
Wednesday July 04, 2007
by Mickey Furfari
For the Daily Mail
MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia University's football team is certain to miss consensus All-America center Dan Mozes and all-Big East guard Jeremy Sheffey this fall.
They were the key cogs in an offensive line that paved the way for 505 points, 4,191 yards rushing and 2,059 passing.
"We don't have a senior up front this year," said Jake Figner, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound junior from Fogelsville. Pa. "But we've got guys who have played. I think Ryan Stanchek, Greg Isdaner and I will step up and provide some leadership."
All three are returning starters -- Stanchek and Figner at tackles and Isdaner at left guard. Junior Mike Dent will take over at center, with either redshirt freshman Eric Rodemoyer or sophomore Tim Reed starting at the other guard position.
"Obviously, losing Mozes and Sheffey hurt a lot," Figner said. "They were experienced guys. Everybody on the team benefited from their leadership. We learned from both how to lead."
As a result, those returning linemen vow to help the younger linemen overcome jitters and provide depth.
"I think with some experience, they will become more business-like," Figner said. "They saw Mozes and Sheffey come out and work hard every day, so they should follow that example."
He thinks another thing that comes from experience is a cure for ups and downs.
"You learn to stay on an even keel, like those two did, and to do your job the best you can," Figner added. "It comes not only with experience but working hard in practice. That's how you get playing time."
Figner thinks the tough summer workouts are "when camaraderie and chemistry develop.
"You get that a little bit in the winter, too, along with more confidence. But now we have more free time. So you spend more time together and build up bonding."
Figner said the team's top goal, as usual, is to capture the Big East championship. The expectations are higher this time around, though.
The Mountaineers take a break from the grueling grind this week before heading into the final three weeks of summer workouts.
