Jack Crawford has seen the game film from last year, and he has come to a conclusion.
The defensive line missed out on a lot of potential sacks, a result of the line not shedding blocks quick enough.
"We missed about half the opportunities we had," Crawford said earlier this month at Lift for Life.
The emphasis now is getting stronger and more aggressive at the snap. This upcoming season, strength shouldn't be an obstacle for Crawford and his counterparts. With Eric Latimore expected to start at left end, the defensive line adds weight. Latimore weighed 30 pounds more than Jerome Hayes, who started seven of the 13 games last season. Latimore started the other six.
The Nittany Lions' 2009 leader in sacks, Jared Odrick, must be replaced, and Devon Still is being pegged to do so. Much of the defensive line's success hinges on how Still fills the void left by the 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and if he can come occupy two, sometimes three, blocks.
Crawford's liked how Still has stepped into his new role thus far.
"He's been someone I've been learning from too," Crawford said. "We're at the same point now where we're both juniors on the field, and we're learning together.
Like Crawford, Ollie Ogbu is an experienced defensive lineman back for another season. In the past two years, the senior has started 22 games. Defensive ends Kevion Latham and Sean Stanley and defensive tackles James Terry and Jordan Hill are other linemen to watch. All four experienced game time last season, meaning defensive line coach Larry Johnson will have another deep rotation to work with.
It's unknown where defensive tackle Brandon Ware fits in on the defensive line heading into preseason practice. Ware didn't appear in the preseason media guide and has previously spent time in Joe Paterno's doghouse (weight and academics).
Despite Ware's status, the defensive line will be one of the most experienced and fixed areas heading into the 2010 season.
