FORT COLLINS — Just because Mike Bobo has said more than once he expects the Colorado State offensive line to be a strength of his football team this year, one should not pose a question with “as good as they are …”
Too soon.
“He about threw up over there when you said as good as they are,” Bobo said, referring to offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Will Friend on media day. “Nobody is as good as we want them to be right now. I don’t even remember the question cause I saw coach Friend’s face when you said as good as they are, like what is this guy talking about?”
The group at the heart of the question is the most experienced on the Rams’ roster with 69 career starts. Junior center Jake Bennett and senior guard Fred Zerblis started every game in 2015, and Zerblis has been a fixture there for two years running. Zack Golditch started 12 games, two at left tackle, the rest at left guard, Nick Callender started nine games and Trae Moxley three.
While it is a good base to start with, there really are no guarantees outside of Bennett, Zerblis and Golditch as starters.
Decisions still remain, and new bonds have to be formed. For the first time in a while, Zerblis won’t line up next to Sam Carlson. Replacing him just doesn’t happen, and a chemistry needs to develop.
Thus, in Friend’s mind, good hasn’t been approached yet in fall camp.
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