Franklin graduation 2012
Badin graduation 2012
Carroll graduation 2012
MIAMI FOOTBALL
Move to center a snap so far for Meister
Two-year starter has the right height to smoothly get the football to the quarterback, then quickly deliver a block.
Friday, April 13, 2007
OXFORD — At 6-foot-2 1/2, Steve Meister isn't particularly tall for a collegiate offensive lineman.
That's exactly what Miami University coach Shane Mongtomery likes about him, and why Mongtomery is moving Meister to center for his senior season.
Extras
"He's not 6-4, so his leverage is pretty good," Montgomery said.
The Miami coach pointed to former All-Mid-American Conference center Todd Londot whose only drawback was his height, which was listed at 6-5 on the New York Giants' practice squad last year.
Regardless, Montgomery said Londot's height made it slightly more awkward for him to snap the ball from a low, squatting position and then rise to his full height and deliver a block.
The shorter Meister will be less awkward, Montgomery said.
"The biggest thing with him is getting used to snapping the football, both from the shotgun and behind-the-center positions," the Miami coach said. "He's used to being a guard and just blocking. It's a big adjustment, but we feel he's doing well."
Meister, who will be a third-year starter, moves from left guard. He and Dave DiFranco were the only Miami offensive linemen to start all 11 games in 2006. The 6-3, 303-pound DiFranco also is moving to a new position, from tackle to left guard, for his junior season.
Miami's starting right guard is Matt McKeown, a 6-4, 271-pound junior who is being kept out of spring practice because of injury. Josh Satterthwait, a 6-4, 302-pound junior who started the last three games last year, is working with the first unit.
"A guy who's really come around is Heath Cartwright," Montgomery said. "He's starting this spring at left tackle with Charlie Norden (6-6, 295-pound senior) out. He's a guy who's really progressed mentally and physically.
"Even after Norden comes back, we've got to find a way to play Heath Cartwright," the Miami coach said of his 6-6, 303-pound sophomore.
The RedHawks are alternating Steve Sutter, a 6-6, 278-pound junior, and Zachary Marshall, a 6-7, 323-pound sophomore, at right tackle. Marshall is a graduate of Mason High School who transferred from Maryland.
