Friday, December 31
Money moves to tackle for team
Associated Press
DALLAS -- Arkansas coach Houston Nutt calls tackle Shannon
Money unselfish. Money would rather be called a guard.
The 1998 season was no sooner over than Nutt began fielding
questions about replacing four seniors in the offensive line.
When spring practice ended, Money was the starter at left guard
and Jeremiah Washburn was at right guard. Curtis Sanders and Bobby
Williams, the only returning starter, were supposed to be the
tackles. Kenny Sandlin was the center.
The Razorbacks opened the season with Money at left tackle and
La'Zerius White at left guard.
"One day they put me out at tackle," Money said. "I said,
'OK, whatever.' I know it sounds kinda weird, but that's basically
what happened. One day I was playing guard and the next day I was
playing tackle. I had never taken five reps there in my entire
life."
"We had to move him to tackle to make our offensive line
better," Nutt said.
"That's the only reason I did it," Money said. "I didn't want
to, but that's where they needed me. I could have thrown a fit
about it, but I didn't."
The evolution of the line continued during the season. After the
fourth game, Sandlin replaced Washburn at right guard and Josh
Melton took over at center.
Money-White-Melton-Sandlin-Williams will line up against Texas
Saturday in the Cotton Bowl.
"Everybody was saying we were going to be the part that lets
this team down," Money said. "I think we've done a decent job
this year. We gave up the fewest sacks (14) in the SEC and that's
saying a lot with four new starters."
Still, he hopes to return to guard.
"It just suits my body type more," said the 6-foot-3 Money.
"I'm just really small for my position. It's not like I'm a huge
guy. I'm a small 300-pounder.
"As far as pass blocking, I'd much rather be blocking guys
285-290 instead of guys who are 250 and run 4.4," Money said.
"that's a lot easier because you've got a guy five foot out from
you at tackle and, at guard, you've got a guy right on you.
"All you've got to do is stand up and you're right in front of
him," he said. "That other one, you've got to kick and slide.
It's a big difference if you've never played it."
"Mentally, he just feels like he's out on the edge against
these great people," offensive line coach Mike Markuson said. "I
tried to tell him the best defensive ends in our league are usually
6-3, 6-4 guys who are 250-255 and can run. I said, 'And you can
run.'
"When he slides out there and locks onto you, it's hard to get
around him," Markuson said.
Money said he had given up one sack all year and that came early
in the season. "It was pretty ugly sometimes but I got it taken
care of I guess," Money said.
"I think he could be a great left tackle," Markuson said.
"whether he wants to, I don't think he does. We're going to have
to address that as time goes on in the spring."
The immediate problem is Texas, including All-Big 12 tackles
Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers -- mostly the responsibility of the
center and guards.
"You have to try to get some matchups teamwise that are going
to help you the best," Markuson said. "There are some things they
show, some fronts, that aren't really good with particular runs. We
have been trying to game-plan our way through it to create matches
where we feel like we're going to have the most success blocking
them."
For now, that means Money against an end.
.