As the Bulldogs’ need for quarterback protection gets stronger, the team’s depth on the offensive line gets weaker.
Junior left tackle J.D. Hamilton will miss at least this week’s contest against Georgia with a strained MCL in his left knee suffered during the first quarter of last week’s win over Jacksonville State.
Hamilton transferred to the Bulldogs this season from Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
He was replaced by redshirt freshman Mike Brown, who was just cleared to play early last week following his transfer from Florida. Brown will start this week for Hamilton.
“Mike came in and did a good job, particularly in pass protection,” Croom said. “He is a natural pass protector. He just hasn’t gotten a lot of practice time because we had to work the guys we knew were going to play.”
Brown was a key part of the Bulldogs’ improved protection last week, insulating quarterback Mike Henig and allowing zero sacks in the contest.
Though usually noted as an area of the team in need of vast improvements, the unit does appear to be solidifying itself.
“After looking at all the film, I really like these guys that we’ve got right now,” Croom said. “They are a great improvement over where we were last year at this time, especially at the tackles. Even though we still don’t have as much depth as we’d like to, we’re still a much better unit.”
“The really good thing about it is we only have one senior,” Croom added.
Whereas previous squads have struggled to gain autonomy, the unit has finally reached a point of performing beyond individuals and more like one united spoke in the wheel of the offense.
“In terms of wins and losses, you may not can see it, but there’s a lot of guys out there working together,” senior lineman Brian Anderson said. “We just have a better feel this year.”
With quarterbacks Omarr Conner and Tray Rutland sidelined with injuries, Croom is being very cautious with Henig, his only remaining quarterback with significant game experience.
To ensure Henig’s safety, Croom is running more plays with his running back acting as blockers than he normally would.
And though his backfield is not especially experienced, either, he says the objective for them should be simple.
“I tell the backs all the time that if you get a hat on a hat and challenge them at the line of scrimmage, the quarterback should be able to get the ball out,” Croom said. “They don’t have to be great pass protectors, they just have to get their body between the defender and the quarterback. Their teammates may laugh at them when they look at the film, but that’s OK. Whatever it takes.”
This week Anderson, Brown and the rest of the MSU front will have their work cut out for them as they take on Quentin Moses and the rest of the Georgia defense.
For the undermanned Bulldogs, cohesiveness is their only chance.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” Anderson said. “They’re going to have some All-SEC guys and maybe even some All-American guys. We just have to go out there and do our job and try to keep them off of Mike.”