That's the question that perplexes Oregon State's coaching staff as spring drills near conclusion

By Cliff KirkpatrickGazette-Times Reporter

Oregon State football coach Mike Riley's biggest worry for the coming season is the development of his offensive line.

As the Beavers enter the final week of spring practice, his level of concern remains the same.

Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh pushed his group hard the first 12 of 15 practices. However, his report on their development wasn't brimming with confidence.

"Same as usual," Cavanaugh said. "We are a work in progress. We've made little jumps, but we have a ways to go before we get there."

Cavanaugh is a tough perfectionist and always hounds the details. However, his tone was different this time.

He's already talking about using true freshman Michael Philipp as a starting tackle in the fall.

And the players are aware of the situation.

"We have a long way to go," returning starting right guard Gregg Peat said. "We're getting better. We've made a lot of progress. Everybody is trying to get better, and everybody has gotten better. This spring made us realize how good we can be and how far we have to go to get there."

The Beavers wanted to find two reliable tackles and a guard this spring, and were partially successful.

Mike Remmers will be one of the tackles. He's the team's top pass blocker, so he'll protect the quarterback's blindside.

If left-hander Sean Canfield is the quarterback, Remmers will play on the right side. If right-handed Lyle Moevao can come back from shoulder surgery, Remmers moves to the left side.

The opposite tackle during the spring has been a mix of Timi Oshinowo, Colin Kelly and Geoff Garner.

Kelly is a redshirt freshman and Garner joined the team this winter after going on a two-year Mormon mission. Both have potential, but it may be a year before it begins to show.

Oshinowo, a junior, would be the starter if there was a game this week.

Philipp will be around for the four-week preseason training camp and he'll compete with Oshinowo for the starting position.

That's a drastic departure from OSU's stance of redshirting freshmen linemen so they can learn the system, bulk up and allow Cavanaugh a chance to break them of bad habits.

"It's going to be a battle into (training) camp," Cavanaugh said. "We'll see what happens when Michael Philipp gets here."

Ryan Pohl has tentatively won the open guard spot. He has been on the cusp of the starting lineup for two seasons and is finally taking hold.

Returning starters Alex Linnenkohl (center) and Peat anchor the line. They've gone through the Cavanaugh treatment and are helping bring the younger players along, but they know it's not easy this year.

"It doesn't make me nervous," Peat said. "I have full confidence in these guys. We as an offensive line, we just need to come out here with enthusiasm and intensity every day. We have to step it up. We hit a mark and plateaued a little bit in the last couple practices. We need to step it up and keep progressing."

Depth for the future isn't an issue, especially with six recruits arriving in the fall. Centers Linnenkohl and Grant Johnson are the two best the Beavers have had in Cavanaugh's four years, he said.

Brent McNeil, Michael Lamb, Ben Motter and Burke Ellis are solid as backup guards. Garner, Kelly and Wilder McAndrews make a good group of young tackles.

That just leaves the 2009 season starting group to be finalized. And it could be a case of learning on the job at tackle.

"We have to work hard and get in great shape (during the summer), and come here raring to go," Cavanaugh said. "We have to fine-tune things, and go over it over and over. Repetition is the greatest teacher."