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MARSHALL SPORTS
Line shows its lighter side
Marshall's Daniel Baldridge goes through some defensive drills during the first day of practice Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- A specified recruiting vision literally has taken shape.
Scan offensive line drills during Marshall University preseason football practice and it's clear that a mold is installed. Tall, relatively lean and athletic are the standards sought by head coach Mark Snyder and offensive line coach Mike Cummings.
Seven underclassmen on the two-deep chart stand at least 6-foot-4. Junior Daniel Baldridge walks the tallest at 6-9 and has embraced the philosophy reflected in recent recruiting classes.
Admittedly "a little heavy" last season, the right tackle cut considerable weight during winter and spring months. Now broad shouldered and muscled, Baldridge checked in at 305 pounds for preseason camp.
"I focused on the summer on thinning down and trying to be in better shape in the fourth quarter whenever they need me," Baldridge said. "When I first came in we had Toby Bullock and all of the big guys. Now we've kind of gone to a little taller guys, a little thinner guys, leaner and the speed, I think we've kicked up the speed a good bit.
"It's just a lot different from when I came in. You had Wes Jones and real huge guys. They were my size, but 350."
Veterans and younger players have bought in to new workouts resulting in the new look. Sophomore guard Josh Evans and senior guard Jimmy Rogers each shed 20 pounds this summer.
"I think the vets showed them a way to work," Cummings said. "They set a goal for them to work. This group has taken off about 12 pounds per man.
"We've cut ourselves down. We're a leaner offensive line. They know how to work. The only thing we're lacking right now is the experience. (But) I think what (offensive coordinator John) Shannon is doing with our offense is going to help them develop."
A potential trouble spot is compromising strength while trimming big bodies. Redshirt freshman Branden Curry also has tightened his build while upping his weight room personal bests.
The 6-6, 306-pound Hollywood, Fla., native spoke with an almost embarrassed chuckle when asked to chart his improvements.
"I tried to work real hard this summer because my weak point is my strength," Curry said. I'm working on my strength this year so I can be better and perform better on the field.
"When I first came in my bench was horrible. It was about 225. I was barely getting that but right know I'm repping 315."
Curry arrived at Marshall rated among the nation's top 100 offensive lineman prospects. NCAA Division I-A football revealed Curry's need to strengthen his upper body and he's now competing for meaningful playing time.
"It was tough because the program I came from (Boyd Anderson High School) had a lot of top D-1 athletes and also a lot of schools around my program I had a lot of friends and a lot of them started last year as freshmen," Curry said. "I was kind of down on myself like 'man, all of friends from high school started and I wasn't on the field.'
"But everything happens for a reason and I wasn't physically ready or mentally ready to perform last season. I see that as a plus because I got to go to every game and watch and see what the person in front of me was doing so I could have a shot of doing the same thing."
