Bottom line: Pay attention to the offensive linemen

A wise man once passed along some excellent advice more than two decades ago.

"Don't be afraid to talk to a lineman," he told a newcomer to the daily newspaper scene.

Not just any lineman. An offensive lineman.

They're easily the most underappreciated and underpublicized players in team sports. Even guys such as Notre Dame-bound Christian Lombard of Fremd or some other high-level Division I recruit don't get the same attention as quarterbacks or running backs with similar resumes.

Most of the time no one except their families, teammates and coaches knows their names. How often do you even hear them called by a PA announcer?

Defensive linemen will even get some acclaim for a big sack or big stop.

To the running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers, linebackers and defensive backs go the glory while the offensive linemen tend to the gory details in the trenches.

So, one of the things that absolutely drives me nuts, is seeing a quote of "I owe it all to my O-line," from a star running back - and then there is no mention of their names.

It happens everywhere. It happens often in our paper.

Ask the game's ball-carrying star or a coach and they'll gladly offer up all of the anonymous names fit to print.

Or go ask one of the linemen. Sometimes the initial response is an odd look followed by, "You want to talk to me?"

After all, they're not used to reporters wanting to talk to them. Then you find they're as engaging, insightful and funny as anyone else after pounding away at opposing defenders on every play.

They're often among the smartest players on the team. They need to be since they're almost a team within the team since they have to work together in near-perfect synch to make a play work.

It's work done with little or no fanfare. It's work that almost invariably needs to be done right if a team is going to go beyond this weekend's quarterfinal stage of the state playoffs.

I'm not proficient at the technical aspects of line play - among many other things - but consider this a simple "Offensive Line Play for Dummies Like Me."

Here are a few ways to know if the guys upfront did their job:

• If the quarterback isn't running around for his life or spending half the night on his back.

• If the running backs are racing through gaping holes.

• If an offense piles up 300 to 400 or more yards.

• If the field isn't littered with yellow flags for holding and false start penalties.

Then it's a job done well enough to receive a little publicity.

Or even answer a few questions just as the same as their high-profile teammates.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com