Story by
Florida State OL Pabst is ‘Solid Lunch Pail’ Player
- Story by
- Florida State OL Pabst is ‘Solid Lunch Pail’ Player
(USA TODAY Network/via Reuters Connect)
FloridaState offensive lineman Nate Pabst brings 38 games of starting experience at Bowling Green to Tallahassee to help plugs holes in what will be a rebuiltoffensive line , one that will feature four transfers.
In a post-practiceinterview, offensive line coach Herb Hand praised Pabst for what he brings tothe Seminoles , calling him a "solid lunchpail" type of player.
Advertisement
"Dude that comes to work every day. He's a vet," Hand said. "Youcould tell that he's played a lot of football. He's a 38 game-starterat the previous place and they did a great job with him. I'm glad we have him.So, I would say just from a consistency standpoint, everyday guy thatyou can count on."
Last season at BowlingGreen, Pabst (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) earned second-team All-MAC honors afterallowing just one sack. Pabst earned grades from Pro Football Focus (PFF) of 70in pass blocking and 69 in run blocking. He is a versatile player that can playany of the guard and tackle spots. That versatility could bode well for theSeminoles, from a depth standpoint as the season progresses.
Also at a post-practiceinterview, Pabst was asked what makes a consistent offensive lineman, from aplayer's standpoint?
"Someone that does his jobevery play, no matter how he feels, how what he's going through or what the environment is," said Pabst. "Atthis position, you're not going to feel good. You're not going to be on the bigscreen when you're doing something. But the guys that go out there,and no matter what the circumstance is or what the situation is, they can goout there and perform and do their job. That's what a greatoffensive lineman in my mind is."
Advertisement
Pabst was certainly describinghimself with that assessment. He is a player who just wants to play football.The fact that he has learned multiple positions along the offensive line is atestament to his desire to never come off the field when the Seminoles possessthe football.
Last season, the offensiveline blocked for a Florida State rushing attack that led the ACC (and No. 11 inthe FBS) in rushing offense at 218.67 yards per game.
The Seminoles gained 2,624rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, and they averaged just over five yards percarry. Pabst and his brothers on the line will look to continue that success asthey bulldoze opposing defenders to open big running lanes for Doak Walker watchlist running backs Ousmane Kromah and Quintrevion Wisner .
Hand echoed thatsentiment on the rushing attack, "Our DNA is we're going to be a physical downhill runningteam, and then you build everything off of that," said Hand. "But you certainlywant to build around the skill set of your guys and I think the guys havebrought some really good stuff to the table. We're able to work thatinto what we want to do offensively."
Advertisement
According to collegefootball analyst Phil Steele, Pabst has NFL potential, especially when youconsider his versatility. He and his offensive line mates can work to improvean area where the Seminoles were mediocre last season, and that is sacksallowed.
Florida State allowed 23sacks last season, which was about the middle of the pack both nationally andin the ACC. This unit must keep starting quarterback Ashton Daniels upright sohe can throw the ball downfield, or use his legs to get away from pressure andextend drives.
Putting the Seminoles in position to score points will be a prioritythis season. The Seminoles scored in the red zone 80 percent of the time lastseason, ranking 95th in the country. That scoring rate needs to be alot better.
The late great announcer KeithJackson often described the offensive line as the "big uglies." Pabst and hisoffensive line brethren will gladly accept that moniker if it means leading theSeminoles to victory on Saturdays this fall.
