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Liam Eichenberg – August 3, 2023 Download PDF version

Thursday, August 3, 2023

OL Liam Eichenberg

(This morning, Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked a little bit about the process of learning how to play offensive line in this system. He talked about reverting back and trusting the way they want you to play. I just wanted to get your perspective on the second year of this system and how it’s going.) – “I just have to keep coming out here and work every single day, doing what they  ask me to do. That’s what training camp is for; competing and taking it day-by-day. I’m just going to keep continuing to do what they want.”

(I know there’s been a lot of change with a different system. What would you say is the one thing you maybe have struggled with in your first couple of years that you’re really trying to progress?) – “I would say just getting my footwork down faster. That’s the biggest thing – run and pass. I’ve just continued to work on that in individual and then on my own. Just keep working. This is a perfect time for it, so I’m going to continue with that.”

(Does it feel your footwork is a little different inside compared to tackle, like you played in college? What are some of the differences there?) – “Just have to get that quicker and make sure you aren’t taking too big of a first step, which is something that I need to hone-in on and continue to improve on, getting that first step down and then get that second step going. That’s something I’ve been focusing on and I’m going to continue to work on it.”

(How much of a factor was your injury last year and your learning curve at guard?) – “Anybody who gets injured, it’s kind of a tough situation. It made me realize, I already knew this, but it makes you miss football that much more. It makes you really miss and reminds you of how much more you love it. I love playing ball, I love football but not being out there, not being with the guys, not working with them, it’s just something different that makes you miss it that much more. “

(Is there a frustration factor when you move to a new position and things are a little unfamiliar? Like at tackle, you probably expect things to go like that, and maybe at guard, you have to think more? How did that process go for you?) – “For me, it’s just playing big inside. Having the great coaches I’ve had, just trying to hone-in and understand what they want from me. That’s the biggest thing is just listening to what they want and doing what they say.”

(How hard are you on yourself during this process?) – “I’m very hard on myself. I get frustrated at times and just need to continue to work and continue to do what they want me to do and continue the techniques I’m being taught right now.”

(Do you judge yourself day-by-day? Do you take it week-by-week? How do you judge yourself at training camp?) – “I definitely take it day-by-day but at the same time, I kind of take a step back and see where you’re at. I was at center in the spring and take a look back at last week, there was good stuff I did, bad stuff I did. Just learn from my mistakes. You can’t keep repeating the same mistakes. That’s the biggest thing.”

(How did you feel about center? From my perspective, it probably doesn’t matter. I thought you looked pretty good although there with no pads. How did you feel there?) – “It was fun. It’s something that makes me more versatile. But at the end of the day, I want to play left guard here so I need to keep working on that.”

(Between periods, we saw you chatting with T Terron Armstead. Just wanted to get your perspective on the value he has outside of the actual football field?) – “It’s great having a vet in the room, someone who’s played for so long and also played with so many great guards. Just kind of listening from him, and at the end of the day, he’s a guy who understands every position on the o-line, understands all the techniques. He’s been around ball and a lot of great players for a long time. I always try to pick his brain as much as I can and he’s great for our offensive line room.”

(How much are you in touch with your brother, who plays at Ohio State, this time of the year and this year specifically?) – “We talk every once in a while. I think he starts up camp today. In the offseason, I talk to him more. But now that he’ll start up, I kind of let him do his thing. I mean it’s long days.”

(We were asking some of the guys how they feel about one-on-one, o-line vs. d-line. OL Rob Hunt says it’s a defensive line drill. I just wanted to hear your perspective on what that drill does.) – “I think o-line vs. d-line drill is a great time. You’re going to see a lot of stuff that maybe you won’t see during a game. We know it’s a time for me specifically to work on what I want to work on for that day. If I’m going to rock, set, up, kick or tight angle sets. Those are the biggest things. I just have to go with a plan and work from there. One day at a time.”

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