By Nick Deriso, Louisiana Sports Bureau
GRAMBLING — A change in coordinators at Grambling State has altered the intensity level for the team's offensive linemen.
James Spady, a longtime lineman and line coach, made quick work of reconditioning a group once built to pass block exclusively, even as the playbook has deepened in complexity.
"It's a different scheme," first-year head coach Rod Broadway said, while Spady worked with the unit. "They were more of a sling it-type offense. We'll be a little more balanced. They need to be able to do more."
Spady, who played at Texas-El Paso and then during a brief arena football career, developed a high standard over stints as offensive line coach at UTEP, South Carolina State and at Broadway's last stop, North Carolina Central. He also dabbled on the defensive side of the ball along the way, including during his 11-year tenure at in El Paso.
"Be disciplined, or be ready to get out," Spady told his group in practice, only half-joking. "This is a democracy; everybody is free to leave."
Spady may be the offensive coordinator by trade, but this is his passion. He immediately installed a series of new tactical drills that focused on stepping into better leverage positions, hand placement and agility.
"I've been involved in a number of different offensive schemes and systems under a variety of coaches during my coaching career in addition to coaching on the defensive side of the ball," Spady said, "so I've had the ability to see things from two different perspectives," he said. "I've been preparing for this type of opportunity over the years while developing my own offensive philosophies along the way at the same time."
Junior Everett Edwards (listed at 6-6, 315) settled into the critical left tackle during GSU's most recent scrimmage, while senior Randle Bennett (6-6, 337) moved to the right spot. Tavarus Cockrell (6-2, 310) remains a stalwart in the middle, while the guard spot appears to remain a work in progress. Junior Corey Williams (6-2, 295) and junior Revay Smith (6-1, 305) are among those vying for the jobs.
When a series of linemen, primarily backups, began to falter earlier in the camp, Broadway drilled in on his expectations for the unit.
"We've got to get in shape," Broadway told them. "All we ask is that you put forth the effort. You lost seven games by a touchdown or less. There's a reason for that. You're not in shape. You've got to push yourself to get there."
Broadway arrives having won 28 of his last 31 games — including 11 in a row last year — at NCCU. He did it with a balanced, high-scoring offense.
North Carolina Central led its league in passing, and set new offensive marks in consecutive seasons through 2006. The offense averaged 30.8 points per game in 2005, a new school record. A year later, NCCU led the conference with 211 passing yards per game, while setting school and league records for touchdown passes by a freshman.
Broadway said his offensive lines, the strength of those teams, is a weakness on this one. For now.
"We may have to trick teams and mix things up," Broadway said. "At times, we may have to run when we're supposed to pass and pass when we are supposed to run. We knew we're not going to be good enough to blow people off the ball, so we're going to rely on misdirections, quick hitches and traps so we can get good angles on teams."
Watching Spady run through the line drills, Broadway said simply: "That's where you win."
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