Season 5 Preview - Behind the Numbers

Behind the Numbers
Written by Joe Pancake

Amidst all the fervor of touchdowns, receptions and yardage, sacks, tackles and interceptions, there remain the unsung heroes whose daily work still goes unnoticed…

The Blacksburg Ballers Offensive Line is made up of a bunch of guys that enjoy their job, despite being overlooked time and again. And if you were to ask them, they are quick to point out that they wouldn’t have it any other way. As Center Samual Bonecrasher describes it, “Not everybody can be a high scoring touchdown guy on the field…There need to be hard working men on the field to…block for the guys who score.” And fellow Center, Ricky Bonebreaker echoes those sentiments, claiming “publicity is not my thing.” According to him, there is “no better feeling than to smash some little guys and see Khari (Jones, Ballers Quarterback) throwing a superbomb.” Ballers Tackle Josh Pushman sees it much the same way. “In the end, the only one I have to prove anything for is myself…and maybe my ma',” he chuckled, “so to me not getting credited for the dirty work is not a problem.”

While the league may disrespect the Offensive Line positions, the guys working in the trenches feel as though most of their teammates know their value to the team. “I feel though the team appreciates us…Khari is quick to point out the line did a great job when he has a good passing day,” explains Tackle Fatty McMuffin. McMuffin wasn’t the only one to single out Jones when referencing respect garnered from teammates. “We are long time buddies. We joined the Ballers at the same time. As a player he is really gifted and as a friend indispensible,” says Bonebreaker.

While they know their teammates respect them, McMuffin does feel that “sometimes (the Offensive Line) gets overlooked in the running game.” He quantifies this by stating, “I wouldn’t call it disrespect, just not real close with the Running Backs.” Hank Hitch, a Guard for the Ballers and self proclaimed ‘biggest piece of lard on the line,’ metaphorically explains, “as long as those little leprechauns share the pot of gold when they hit paydirt, we are fine.” “Besides, they know if they misbehave then perhaps we just let a linebacker through as punishment,” he says with a wink.

However, their most important camaraderie is that which they share with each other. “It’s great. Everyone knows what has to be done in order for our crative guys to do their thing,” explains Pushman. “A lot of new faces since the start of Season 4…so having an offseason to spend together in the weight room and (on the) training table should really help us gel,” claims McMuffin, who along with Bonebreaker, Hitch, and Guards Joe Kinney and Gin Rummey have spent their entire career with Blacksburg and are entering their 4th full seasons with the team. Meanwhile, Bonecrasher and Tackle Von Tierre are entering their 3rd full seasons. The rest of the Offensvie Line is made up of 2nd year Tackles, Pushman and Henry George, along with Tackle Joe Pancake and Guard Topher Scott who will be in their first full seasons as Ballers.

There is much more to an Offensive Line’s unity than simply playing together though. Outside of games and practice, the Ballers Offensive Linemen try to stay in touch and get to know each other as much as possible. “Who would’ve imagined that Joe Pancake and I would have our love for making the little nice cross-stitches in common,” asks Hitch. “Bricky and I have had our bridge club for a long time and we have great participation during our linemen poetry evenings,” he explains.

While other positions have stats that speak for themselves, one must dig a little deeper to determine the success of an Offensive Line. “Why can’t the statsmakers appreciate the finesr side of our work?” Hitch wonders. “I would love to see that I give up no hurries, not just ‘Yay, great, I put that NT on his backside, again.’” When one does dig though, they’ll find that the Offensive Line is becoming an increasingly strong part of an increasingly strong team. While the sacks allowed did increase last year for the first time, the yards per carry of the running backs has increased each year, along with the number of rushing touchdowns, and you can expect those numbers to continue improving through Season 5. “With the midseason and offseason upgrades, I really expect big things from the O-Line,” claims McMuffin.