eGriz
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Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Posts: 3585
Location: Missoula, Montana
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The stories are in order as they appear in this content area:
Griz offensive line eyes more bulk (Missoulian).
Hartman still not released from Montana (Great Falls Tribune).
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Griz offensive line eyes more bulk
By JON KASPER of the Missoulian
Check the weight room.
Odds are that's where you'll find the members of the Montana Grizzly offensive line this summer.
"We need to get in there, throw away the key and sit in the weight room all summer and get stronger,'' said Dominic Daste, who coaches the guards and centers.
"Strength, that's the big thing,'' said senior left tackle Cory Procter.
"You always hear coach talk about that. As a whole group, we're fast and agile, but we're lacking strength. That's something we're definitely going to work on, as always.''
With stalwarts like Dylan McFarland, Jon Skinner and Derek Decker gone, the offensive line will be one of the major question marks when camp opens in August.
Procter, a 6-foot-5, 295-pounder who never redshirted, figures to be an All-America candidate. He's moving from right to left tackle, after starting as a guard as a sophomore.
"Every time you switch sides, it makes a difference,'' Procter said of the move. "For the first week, it was pretty awkward. I'm getting more of a feel for it. It's good to play on both sides. It shows you have some versatility.''
Versatility is one of the key words for this offensive line. Senior Jay Green, who started at center late in the season when Decker went down with an injury, can also play guard. The 6-3, 285-pounder from Glasgow will see considerable action at center in Saturday's scrimmage because Garth Enger and Ryan Wells will both be out with knee injuries.
Junior Jason Frink, who is listed as the backup left guard, took snaps at center during Thursday's final spring practice and will likely see action in the middle during the scrimmage.
Brad Rhoades, a 6-5, 265-pound junior, has taken reps as the first-team right tackle. He started at right guard last season.
"When guys get hurt, other guys have to know other positions,'' Daste said.
"Last year it was the same deal. Brad Rhoades can play four positions. Frink is capable of all five. That's a big attribute to him. He's intelligent and physical enough to do it.''
Starting left guard Chris Orwig (6-5, 285) began his career on the defensive line, before moving over last fall. Ryan Gustafson (6-5, 270) and Eric Michel (6-6, 270) both redshirted last fall.
The majority of UM's backup offensive linemen have seen very limited game action, but Daste likes the progress they've made this spring.
"Some of the younger guys, it's the first time they've been around our offense, guys like Ryan Gustafson and Eric Michel. They were with the scout team last fall, so we didn't have all that much time to work with them. They are pretty intelligent kids. They've picked it up pretty quick.''
Gustafson sustained a knee injury in last week's scrimmage, and won't play Saturday. The coaches are also high on 6-5, 265-pound sophomore Jeff Marshall, but his progress has been slowed by an ankle injury that forced him to miss most of last season.
"Actually this whole spring, I was pretty surprised because we're doing really, really well,'' Procter said. "Marshall is coming back from his injury. Orwig is stepping in with the ones and doing real well. The young guys like Gustafson and Eric Michel have really stepped it up. It's surprising, but at the same time it's good.''
Daste said he's looking for Procter to provide leadership in the weight room this summer.
"Cory knows what it takes and he knows how to work in the weight room and lead by example,'' Daste said. "That's what he excels at. He's a good leader and he wants to be a leader.''
Saturday's final spring scrimmage at Nelson Stadium in Helena will begin at noon. The weather forecast for Helena on Saturday calls for highs in the mid-50s with isolated thunderstorms.
Tickets will be available at the gate. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. The tickets will be good for the Griz scrimmage at noon, as well as the Carroll College scrum at 1:30 p.m.
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Hartman still not released from Montana
By GEORGE GEISE, Great Falls Tribune
Justin Hartman, the former C.M. Russell High star quarterback who left the Montana football team two weeks ago, hasn't received his release from UM head coach Bobby Hauck.
Without an official release from UM, Hartman wouldn't be able to play at another school for a year.
"Justin was just in my office and we talked about some things," Hauck said Thursday afternoon from Missoula. "He hasn't said where he wants to go. We certainly aren't going to let him go to a team in our league. As a quarterback, he knows our system and our hand signals and our audibles ...
we don't want that information out there."
Hartman started two games last season for the Grizzlies as a redshirt freshman, then became a third-stringer after starter Craig Ochs and backup Jeff Disney recovered from injuries. Hartman, who helped CMR win one state football title and three state basketball championships, quit the team this spring, saying he didn't see a future for him in the UM program.
Hauck said schools that would like to add Hartman to their football program "are supposed to contact us first and get permission." Hauck said he wouldn't object to NAIA or lower-division NCAA schools requesting permission.
If Hartman transfers to another NCAA I-A or I-AA school, he would have to sit out a year. If he moves to a Div. II or NAIA program, he could play immediately. Hartman, a 6-1, 190-pounder, has three more seasons of football eligibility. He also is considering resuming his basketball career.
Source: Tom Griz Fan
April 16, 2004
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