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34 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED impressive offseason among the group, adding strength, weight and wisdom as the Swede finally has a firm grasp of his responsibilities. Though the right side may not be firmly set, three of the four players in the two-deep at guard and tackle have starting experience. Jordan Roos, whom Kugler re- ferred to as a "mauler," has started the last two seasons at right guard, his 18 starts the second-most among the line; J.J. Prince is a double-digit starter at tackle; and Cameron Cer- min got starting experience at tack- le in 2014 but can play any of the positions. The player without start- ing experience in that mix, redshirt freshman guard Martesse Patterson, consistently has had the word "spe- cial" used by coaches and teammates when talking about his potential. "They're pretty much the heart" of the offense, running back Knox said. The linemen understand, too, how crucial their performance is to the team's success. They were better in 2014 than 2013, cutting down the sacks allowed total from 38 to 24 and helping in- crease the team's rushing total by more than 1,000 yards. But more must be done. "It's going to be huge for us this year just protecting the quarterback," King said. "We did a better job of it last year, but we're one year older, one year wiser, one year stronger. That's going to be huge for us. I don't plan on anybody being in the back- field this year. "Last year, we threw some quick balls. But this year, there's going to be time for the quarterback back there. Nothing is going to be rushed." There's little concern about their ability to block in the run game. They feel like they proved they could do it last season, and they're continuing to build a mentality as a physical, tenacious group. "I really hope that any opposing team that turns on the film, I want them to know we're a nasty group — not dirty by any means — and they're going to have a long day at the office when they come out on the field," King said. "That's the way I see us. I think that's the other way people are going to see us — if not now, then after Game 1 for sure." j