Now it gets tough. We've got to pick offensive linemen. Unlike other positions, we have no stats to go on, just memory and accolades.
We begin with tackles this week. Surprisingly, not a single tackle was named All-Big Ten since 1995. Zach Strief was a FWAA All-American in 2005, yet he only made second-team All-Big Ten (twice). The other second-teamers: Brian Kardos in 1996 and Leon Brockmeier in 2000. That's it. No NU OL, period, has made as much as second-team All-Big Ten since Strief.
Only two tackles have been drafted since 1995, too: Trai Essex and Strief. (That will change next year with Rashawn Slater.)
So, who should be on the ballot? Here are the contenders. We have to somehow whittle this list down:
Brian Kardos: Two-time B1G champ, second-team All-B1G
Leon Brockmeier: 35 starts, B1G champ, second-team All-B1G (died in 2012)
Trai Essex: Starting TE as freshman, 37 starts at tackle, 3rd-round pick
Zach Strief: 40 straight starts, FWAA All-America, two-time second-team All-B1G, 7th-rd. pick
Dylan Thiry: 34 starts
Patrick Ward: 39 starts, honorable mention All-B1G
Al Netter: 52 straight starts, two-time honorable mention All-B1G
Rashawn Slater: 38 starts in three years: two years RT, one year LT; honorable mention All-B1G
Thoughts?
We begin with tackles this week. Surprisingly, not a single tackle was named All-Big Ten since 1995. Zach Strief was a FWAA All-American in 2005, yet he only made second-team All-Big Ten (twice). The other second-teamers: Brian Kardos in 1996 and Leon Brockmeier in 2000. That's it. No NU OL, period, has made as much as second-team All-Big Ten since Strief.
Only two tackles have been drafted since 1995, too: Trai Essex and Strief. (That will change next year with Rashawn Slater.)
So, who should be on the ballot? Here are the contenders. We have to somehow whittle this list down:
Brian Kardos: Two-time B1G champ, second-team All-B1G
Leon Brockmeier: 35 starts, B1G champ, second-team All-B1G (died in 2012)
Trai Essex: Starting TE as freshman, 37 starts at tackle, 3rd-round pick
Zach Strief: 40 straight starts, FWAA All-America, two-time second-team All-B1G, 7th-rd. pick
Dylan Thiry: 34 starts
Patrick Ward: 39 starts, honorable mention All-B1G
Al Netter: 52 straight starts, two-time honorable mention All-B1G
Rashawn Slater: 38 starts in three years: two years RT, one year LT; honorable mention All-B1G
Thoughts?
