Anthony Davis anchors a strong offensive line for Rutgers

All of last season's starters return for 2009

BY MIKE VORKUNOV

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

RUTGERS PREVIEW: OFFENSIVE LINE

Rutgers will rely heavily on its offensive line in 2009, not just to be a mauling group of blockers and facilitators for its offense, but for stability. With the offense going through mass changes at almost every other position, the O-line returns all five starters from last season.

Anthony Davis returns at left tackle, and despite playing with the second team throughout training camp so far because he reported out of shape, he is a pre-season All-American candidate.

Ryan Blaszcyzyk is listed on the Rimington Trophy Spring Watch list for the second straight year, an award given to the best center in the nation.

Sophomores Caleb Ruch and Art Forst return to hold the interior offensive line as the left and right guards. Both should be better than last year thanks to a year of starting experience under their belts.

Senior Kevin Haslem, who has bounced around from position to position in his time at RU, has locked down the right tackle position.

Howard Barbieri will be a pivotal backup. Last season he served as a jack of all trades, starting games at left guard but also getting time at right guard and right tackle.

THE BIG EAST: Rutgers should have the conference's best offensive line. Pittsburgh returns four starters on the line and will be relied on heavily to create holes for whoever replaces LeShawn McCoy. Connecticut manages to make something out of nothing consistently under Randy Edsall but will have its hands full replacing let tackle William Beatty.

UP NEXT: Linebackers

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