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The Brick Squad - Houston Linemen
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HoustonCougarNation Offline
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Posts: 5,431
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I Root For: Cougars, Frogs
Location: Houston, Texas
Post: #1
The Brick Squad - Houston Linemen
The University of Houston offensive line is a group of players that often gets overlooked when discussing the merits of the record-setting Cougar offense. They don't really mind the other players receiving their due attention and as I recently found out when I had a chance to sit down and speak with the unit, they have enough to discuss amongst themselves to occupy themselves.

In 2010, the offensive line allowed just 18 sacks, which was the 24th fewest in the country. What makes that number more impressive is that the Houston offense attempted 747 passes, the most in the country. Per pass attempt, the Cougars front line allowed a sack only once every 42 pass attempts, the fourth highest in the nation.
Chris Thompson
"We don't set out to try and achieve stats for ourselves, obviously because we chose to be offensive lineman. We try and make sure the other guys get their stats. We just do our job, whatever stat or record our team sets, we know we helped get them there as a team."

Case Keenum is certainly appreciative of all that protection. Keenum has the offensive line over for a
weekly dinner at a house he shares with center Jordan Shoemaker.
Jordan Shoemaker:
"We like to eat - I mean we really, really like to eat. We all get together over at Case and my place once a week for some of our own cooking. We grill hotdogs, chicken, sausage and a whole lot of other meat."

Chris Thompson
"Don't tell anyone this but Case makes the best ice cream cake in the world. That's his specialty."






Who is the biggest eater?
All in unison:
"Isaiah!"

The group is a gregarious bunch, save Roy Watts. The quiet, strong right tackle chooses to let his teammates do the yakking - and they excel at that especially when it comes to nicknames.
Roy Watts
"They call me `Peanut', `Roy-O', 'Casanova' or `The Quiet Storm'."

Jacolby Ashworth
"I don't have a nickname."

Chris Thompson interjects
"Oh, you know your nickname!"

Jacolby
"Fine, I am `Coco'. I don't know how that came up, `Swank' probably gave it to me but it just happened one day and stuck."

Jordan Shoemaker
"My nicknames are `Shoe', `Bruce' or `Stone Cold'. I used to have a shaved head and knee braces and I was always stunning people so that's why people started calling me `Stone Cold'. Plus, I would be the best WWE wrestler on the team so it fits."

Isaiah
"I'm called `Pup'. People say I'm always hyper and jumping around like a puppy. I like to sing and dance and make everyone happy. I also get the `Big Shaq' or `Big Kazaam.'

Chris Thompson
"I am known as `Swank'. But at times I change into the sixth member of our offensive line, my alter ego `Frank'. `Frank' isn't as talkative and he's a whole lot meaner, he gets that crazy look in his eye where you don't want to mess with him, but he gets it done on the field.'

The unit is collectively known as `The Brick Squad'
Chris
"We're called The Brick Squad because we build a wall against the defense. In the past we've been known as `The Wall' but this year we changed it. You need bricks to make a strong wall. That's what we are - five bricks that form a wall out on the field."

Who has all this creativity and time to come up with the nicknames?
All in unison
"Chris and Isaiah."

Chris
"I think I have a nickname for everyone on the team from the coaches to the rest of the staff that supports us on and off the field. We call Coach Hayes `Papa.'

Any nicknames for offensive line coach B.J. Anderson?
Anonymous offensive lineman
"It was recently brought to our attention that he resembles Bill from King of the Hill. I don't think he knows about that yet but he'll probably find out soon now."

On the coaching staff
Roy
"This staff is the best. They've taught me so much since coming here. I'm really appreciative of the chance I had and the trust they had in me to let me contribute to the team."

On season ticket sales nearly doubling in numbers from 6,300 to 11,500
Chris
"Really? That's awesome. We play this game for them and for ourselves. It takes two to tango and we can't do it without them."

Jacolby
"Fan support has been tremendous. I want the fans to know we love y'all and appreciate all the support! Go Coogs!"

Roy
"Definitely. They're the best, let's double the season tickets sales again next year."

If you five guys weren't playing football for the University of Houston, what other career could you have corroborated on?
Isaiah
"We all work together great as a team so I would have to say a R&B music sensation. After we toured the world and became famous, I'd probably take my skills to acting.

Jacolby
"I'd probably venture into male modeling because I'm the looks of the group."

Isaiah
"We can definitely sing and dance. I'll have it be known that Roy is the best dancer of the group and he even takes ballet classes!"

Roy
"No I don't."

If you five were playing a different sport besides football, is there a sport you guys would manage well at?
Jordan
"Not golf...I'd be a great WWE wrestler and these guys could be my entourage or tag-team partners. I could also be the best basketball player if I worked on my game more."

Chris
"We're all athletes over here but Jordan is not the best basketball player. I'll have it be known that I went to state twice in high school. Jordan, you'd be the best chess player."

Funniest training camp story
Isaiah
"The first day we came back, Coach Jackson had us training extra hard and worked us pretty well. After the training session was over, we were in meetings and a younger offensive lineman started to feel a little sick and threw up on my head!"

Jordan
"Only because you had your shirt off."

Isaiah
"I think I made him sick with envy because I was so good looking."

Chris
"The funniest moment for me came when us lineman were out getting some extra training in and a big storm started to form. I'm not talking about `The Quiet Storm' either. We were really working hard and then Doc O'Shea comes out and hollers at us to hurry up and run inside. Well, we were really tired and `Pup' starts to walk a little slower. Doc yells some more and Pup starts to walks even slower. Doc yells some more and `Pup' starts to crawl all the way back inside. Doc had a few words for `Pup' when he finally got inside but we all shared a good laugh over that.

Good thing no one was struck by lightning.
Chris
"I was shocked, he's a big enough target."

On Isaiah making the switch from defensive line to offensive line, did anyone give you a hard time?
Isaiah
"No, surprisingly they welcomed me with open arms. The big guys are known as the jokesters and I definitely am one as well. I was ready for them to tease me but it was never like that, we just turned the tables and ripped on everyone else after we combined forces."

Chris
"We still teased him a bunch."

Isaiah
"Okay, maybe a little. But these guys taught me a lot and caught me up to speed. It had been a while since I played offensive line and before I was able to just smash people around. I learned a lot about technique and all the little things that make an offensive lineman better. There's a lot of stuff I didn't realize. Playing the defensive side of the ball, it's much more aggressive and reactionary. You need to be smart to play on the offensive side of the line.

Chris
"So, would you agree that the offensive lineman are the most intelligent players on the field?"

Jacolby
"And the best looking?"

Isaiah
"Definitely. You know, I always felt like I was too smart and pretty to be on the defensive side of the ball."

Favorite football memory
Jacolby
"My favorite UH memory so far is the Texas Tech game. It was great how we all came together on that last drive. We worked really hard on that scenario and seeing it all come together on the field was special. We trusted each other and our coaches and knew it would work if we kept it up."

Roy
"The Texas Tech game was my favorite memory too. It was really special for us as a unit and a team, and for the fans. They made that a special atmosphere and we couldn't have done it with them."

Jordan
"There's so many great memories with this team. Being one of the older guys, I have a lot to choose from but I would probably say the 2006 Conference USA Championship. My least favorite is whenever I'm having to deal with these guys."

Isaiah
"I will say that as of right now my favorite memory was freshman year when we won the conference championship. The reason I hold that nearest to my heart for now is when I look at this team, I can feel the same chemistry and potential we had in 2006. I hope to replace my old favorite memory with a new one when we hold up that trophy at the end of this year."
09-16-2010 08:46 AM
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