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Main heals, back up front
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YSU junior tackle D.J. Main
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
YSU junior tackle D.J. Main took off his helmet after Monday’s practice to reveal a bloody mark above the bridge of his nose.
“It’s my helmet,” he said with a shrug. “Happens every day.”
Job hazard?
“Yep,” he said.
Main (6-foot-6, 300) showed his toughness more clearly last fall when, after winning the starting right tackle job, he injuring his left foot three weeks into the season.
“When I initially hurt it, I didn’t think there was anything too wrong,” he said.
He had X-rays, they came back negative and he played four more weeks before getting the foot checked out again.
This time, the diagnosis wasn’t so good. It was broken.
Main had surgery — he had screws inserted in his foot — and missed the Penguins’ last four games, all losses. He was still limited at the start of spring practice, taking part in individual drills but skipping the live action. He said he’s just now getting back to full strength, although his foot still gets tight in the arch.
YSU’s starting left tackle, Andrew Radakovich, has been battling a shoulder injury this spring and has missed a few practices and the Penguins are breaking in two junior college transfers (center Mark Pratt and guard Lamar Mady, who filled in at tackle in Main’s absence).
Add in developing sophomore guard Chris Elkins (who started the last four games after Main got hurt) and it’s easy to see why the Penguins have struggled to develop much chemistry up front.
The Penguins’ line is very much a work in progress, as evidenced by the team’s poor pass protection in Saturday’s scrimmage. Defensive end Daniel Stewart had four sacks by himself.
“It’s all about communication and repetition,” Main said. “We’ve had different people in different spots.
“We need to keep practicing and watching film and we’ll get it.”
YSU coach Eric Wolford, who is harder on the offensive line than any other position, isn’t happy with the way the front five is playing right now, particularly on pass plays.
“We’ve got to find a way to protect the quarterback,” Wolford said. “When we have to drop back and throw right now, it’s a concern of mine.
“I’d like to see [starting QB] Kurt Hess be able to set his feet and play pitch and catch a little bit. Hopefully we’ll get that worked out here sometime soon.”
That time was not Monday, as the team struggled through a lackluster practice. The Penguins have two more before Saturday’s spring game.
“Coach just talks about handling success and we didn’t get that done today,” Main said. “We all knew what happened today. There’s not much more to talk about.”