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University Daily Kansan Thursday, Sept. 17, 1964
Depth Big Question At Tackle
KU's probable starting tackles for 1994, Brian Schweda and Fred Elder, likely will be the equal of any tandem they face all season.
The question is how well will the depth be manned behind them? Two of the other three lettermen, Jim Becker and Tommy Thompson, own a long history of leg trouble. The third, Jim Shanks, missed spring practice because of catching duty with the baseball club.
All three could lose their positions in the depth chart to a trio of promising sophomores, Jerry Barnett and Harold Montgomery, both of Wichita, and Jim Nievar, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Although he did not enjoy a banner spring, after reporting late from track, Schweda could be as good as any tackle in the conference, a large order in a circuit loaded with talented veterans.
Now musced to 240, he own size, strength, experience and exceptional footwork. He started all 10 games as a junior last year earning second-team all-league honors. He was an alternate as a sophomore.
How much he improves depends on how he'll compare with such other robust veterans as Larry Kramer, Nebraska; Butch Metcalf, Glen Condren and Ralph Neely, Oklahoma; and Butch Allison, Missouri.
ELDER HAS IMPROVED steadily since his freshman days, moving up through the ranks gradually to claim the vacant starting berth held by the departed Karl Sartore, a year ago. Steut and intelligent, he wrestled heavyweight for the Jayhawkers last winter at 221.
Becker missed considerable action last year because of a calcium deposit in a thigh. Thompson has been hampered for three seasons by a lame knee. Hence, both are questionable. The position sorely needs their experience.
Barnett and Montgomery improved steadily during spring drills to move up to Nos. 2 and 3 behind Schweda at inside tackle. Both are good hitters carrying 210 pounds, but, of course, must prove their ability under fire. They'll be put to the test early with TCU, Syracuse and Wyoming in the first three dates.
Center Looks Good for KU
Graduation has lifted last year's All-Big Eight pivot, Pete Quatrochi. But KU will offset this loss with more depth.
Main reason is prospects are more numerous. Another is that this spot is not likely to be so severely harassed by injury two successive years.
Veterans Buddy Walker and Jim Beecher were sidelined so often Quatrochi played every offensive minute of every game that remained in doubt.
BECKER HAS BEEN returned to tackle. He can be spared because of the emergence of Mike O'Brien, 6-5 Liberal squadman, in spring practice, return of Larry Fairchild from end, and development of two promising sophomores, Larry White and Bob Noe.
Fairchild, 222-pound Salina senior, finished spring practice No. 1. Walker and O'Brien will battle him for that job from the outset of Fall camp. The latter flashed a fine comeback thru April and May after being sidelined two seasons with a lame knee. Walker is a good 185-pound football player as long as his lame knee holds together.
If O'Brien and Walker are hit by further knee miseries, Jim Shanks, lettered junior tackle, can be recalled. He was a center as a freshman two years ago. White and Noe will crowd for playing time from the start.
Under a system instituted by Coach Jack Mitchell last year, all pivots are scheduled to play only offense. Left guards and certain selected specialists will fill two line-backing spots; left halves and full-backs the other two in the standard 5-4.
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