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Figueroa ready to handle job at RT
#1
Offensive lineman Joel Figueroa has been a guard so far in his Cane career.

But now he's starting out fall drills at a new position: Right tackle. Figueroa missed spring drills due to injury, and Jermaine Johnson and Ben Jones worked at the position in his absence.

Figueroa said coaches approached him about the move to tackle "a couple of weeks back."

"It's not a surprise to me - usually we have the most experienced guys outside to protect the quarterback," Figueroa said. "Coming in as a recruit, coach (Jeff) Stoutland coaches the offensive line to learn every position. To have a better relationship with the guy next to you, it's good to know his assignment, technique. So I knew tackle already. The center knows tackle. It's just changing my technique a little, tweaking things. Being one of the most experienced guys on the O line, it's stepping up to the plate and doing (it)."

Figueroa said in certain formations he saw a couple of plays as a tackle last year. He also played tackle in high school.

"And in practice I did reps, so I'll be alright," Figueroa said.

The biggest challenge moving to tackle?

"I have to be more patient," Figueroa said. "Inside I can be more aggressive, have two guys on the outside just in case I make a mistake. The tackle spot is more finesse. I have to use more technique than get away with strength."

The projected first team offensive line entering fall drills is (from left to right) Orlando Franklin, Brandon Washington, Tyler Horn, Harland Gunn and Figueroa.

* The line gave up 35 sacks last season.

"As an offensive line it's unacceptable to give up sacks," Figueroa said. "It wasn't just us as a line, it's as a team. We talked as an offense and make sure that doesn't happen again."

Figueroa wants to see Jacory Harris make it through games with a clean jersey.

"We have a great quarterback with great instincts who is real mobile, and we're going to protect him to the best of our ability," Figueroa said. "That's why we put the most experienced guys on the outside, Orlando on the left and me on the right."

* Figueroa has made a name for himself as a mauler at guard and said he's learned he has to "control my aggression" to be a successful tackle.

* Figueroa said he's slimmed down since last season.

He says he's lost "maybe 20-something pounds."

He now weighs 318 pounds. His high point two-and-a-half years ago was 350. He played last season at 340.

The last time he weighed that? In high school he weighed 315 as a freshman.

"I knew, (Andreu) Swasey was telling me it was in my best interest to cut down a few pounds," Figueroa said.

* Of missing the spring due to injury, Figueroa said, "it gave me more perspective, I felt more like a coach. I learned a lot from the experience. It would have been better if I played, but I took a lot from it and learned a lot."

He says he's fully healthy now.

"I'm ready to go," Figueroa said.

* Of the off-season work, Figueroa said, "The off-season's been real good. Everybody's competing and we're just ready to go, can't wait for camp to start. We're just excited about the season. We get better every year, just look to compete. We want to carry it on to the season."
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#2
I like his enthusiasm but he better be ready. Hopefully seantrel is in pretty good shape... im ready to see what he can do
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#3
I dont think we'll see Henderson until a year or so... He weighs 350 now, which is what was asked of Fig to slimm down from... I know he is 6'8 but the kid has a ways to go before he sees the field... I do believe he'll be great but unfortunately, J12 wont benefit from his performances. He'll be a stud, but too many fans are putting a lot of pressure on the kid. I want him to be a quality starter and I believe he will but like many great athletes he may have to sit and learn...
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#4
You may be right.. hopefully j12 will stay for a senior campaign
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#5
I think Henderson is over 350, pretty sure of that. I would not expect much from him this season. The staff really does not know what they have with him yet either except lots of talent and their is no reason to rush him.

I am pulling for Figs.

I have my eye on the center position more than any OL position. The center is the second most important OL position these days in my opinion. That was not true in my playing days. I am hoping Horn can hold his own.
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