This week we take a look at the “hog mollies” up front for the 2006 LSU Tigers. These guys are in the trenches week after week providing protection for the quarterbacks and running backs of LSU.

I’m going to start off with left offensive tackle Ciron Black. The freshman hails from Tyler, Texas and was a member of the 2006 SEC Freshmen Academic Honor Roll team. Black matches his intensity off-the-field with his intensity on-the-field providing a solid body for the young line. After sitting behind Andrew Whitworth and red shirting, Black’s presence is much needed.

Next to Black will be junior offensive guard Will Arnold. Arnold is seen as one of the best offensive lineman in the country and an NFL prospect in only his junior year. He was also named to the Outland Trophy award list which is given to the nation’s best offensive lineman. An impressive stat for Arnold is at the beginning off this season he played 830 plays from scrimmage and had given up 3 sacks and was called for 2 penalties. He is the leader of this offensive line.

Backing up Arnold at guard is red shirt sophomore Herman Johnson. Johnson is a solid backup standing tall at an amazing 6-7 and weighing 350 pounds. Johnson possesses quick feet for a lineman his size and is known for being a great pass blocker. Last season he saw action on 160 plays from scrimmage and did not allow one sack.

Anchoring the line this year is red shirt sophomore center Brett Helms. Helms, the Sttugart, Arkansas native, showed versatility moving from guard to center during spring practices. He missed most of the 2005 season with an ankle injury but returned to full speed during the spring. He allowed only one sack in 105 plays from scrimmage and was called for one penalty.

Backing up Helms is red shirt sophomore Ryan Miller. Miller, who is from Lake Charles, stands at a whopping 6-6 weighing in close to 320 pounds. After suffering a knee injury last year, Miller is back to health after starting in front of an injured Rudy Niswanger. Though Miller was injured in his first start against Vanderbilt, he is vying to regain his spot of starting center.

At right guard for the Tigers is one of the two starting seniors on the line, Brian Johnson. All the way from Tallahassee, Johnson is a returning starter from last year’s line. He started in 12 games last year and was in on 747 plays. At the beginning of this season he had started in 17 games and played in 33 games. Johnson provides stability and versatility by being able to play more than one position on the line.

Finishing out the line is right tackle Peter Dyakowski. Dyakowski is the other senior starter on the line and finally gets his chance to start after being a backup for four years. He is the first Canadian-born player to sign a scholarship with the LSU football team. Dyakowski contributes on the field but his off-the-field contributions are wonderful. He is a member of the 2006 SEC Good Works team and donates more time to charity than any other student-athlete at LSU.

The offensive line is young this year with only two seniors but if they remain healthy they may be the key to help jump start the missing running game.

Email Jonathan at sportseditor@b-now.com