The Georgia Tech offense line looked over matched and out of sync during parts of the first three games of the season, but over the last two weeks, holes have been opening and the Jackets have been putting up ridiculous offensive numbers. Offensive line coach Mike Sewak says a lot of the success comes from synergy between the offensive line and the A-backs on blocking schemes. Jacketsonline caught up with Sewak to discuss the line and the challenges of the Virginia Tech defense.

It seems like the offensive line has been gelling lately. What has been the biggest difference in their level of play?

"We have been getting a lot more reps because of longer drives and that is one thing. You get more snaps on the longer drives and game speed repetition and you can adjust to how they move. There are a lot of moving parts to our offense and those guys need to see it over and over to get better at it. Hard work pays off and I think they have worked real hard."

Is that the best performance you all have had all year last week?

"I would say statistically it sure has been. There was no doubt about that. It was a very difficult team to play, but our guys were up to the challenge and did a nice job. I think as the season has gone on they have been hammering pretty well and our pad level seems to be getting better and a little bit lower. We seem to be operating where need to be to get the type of movement to establish Jonathan Dwyer and allow Josh Nesbitt to get on the perimeter without having people laying around their legs. That is a huge concern of ours going into this week. They do a nice job of getting penetration. The A-backs also get involved in helping too."

"There is a lot of mid-line and those guys have done a nice job of fitting up on linebackers too. Sometimes the offensive line takes a lot of heat and deservedly so and other times they get a bunch of the glory. The fullback helps us in our running game and the slots help us in our running game. I think they are all starting to feel that spacing and they know where they are supposed to fit. When they know where they fit, they get the linebackers and the secondary people, then you get running lanes that look like everyone is knocked out of the way and they were because you are in the right position."

How much has the offensive line's confidence been improved by getting a few big plays and some offensive momentum?

"It is a new group with new starters and new A-backs in there. Everyone is new and I think that you are half way through now and you should be getting better from week one to week two, three and four. We should be looking to get better and obviously we have and I think that the defenses have done the same thing. I still think that we have to face some of the better defenses in the league. Mississippi State was only giving up 29 yards to LSU rushing, so all of the sudden it dawns on you that you are starting to move the ball against so good people. I think then the confidence happens. When you are doing the thing technically correct, you can show them on tape how it is happening. When their technique keeps getting better you get the push, and you keep pushing them and you can keep pushing them to work on their technique. It is a vicious cycle, but a great cycle to be in right now and we are."



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