2011 Spartan Nation Football Profile: #88 Brian Linthicum

2011 Spartan Nation Football Profile: #88 Brian Linthicum

Expectation:Â Starting TE

Height:  6’5”

Weight:Â 245#

2011 Eligibility:Â Fifth Year Senior

EXP:Â 2 Letters

Status:Â Starting TE

Strengths: Linthicum is a super TE. Against the Irish in the fourth quarter last year the Spartans had the ball at their own 44 with 9:35 on the clock with a first and ten. Linthicum threw a great block then when the QB was rolling out, he ran a perfect route and made an incredible catch for a five-yard gain. Most great blocks and five-yard gains aren’t mentioned a year later. With Linthicum, he is a blue-collar lunch pail carrying TE that does those little things well.

Weakness: Also against the Irish we get a look at Linthicum’s weakness. In the second quarter with 12:27 left in the half the Spartans had a second and goal. The Spartans were in a two TE set. The Irish defender bull rushed Linthicum and he ended up on the ground. The man who he was supposed to block, but bull rushed and dropped him, put pressure on Cousins, and almost forced an interception when Cousins under pressure made a poor pass. There was even holding on the play (it was declined), but it shows Linthicum’s weakness. He doesn’t have the body of a Dion Sims. He has to stay technique sound or he can he moved.

Again, I reiterate that it isn’t problematic, but it does happen time to time.

Final Analysis: Linthicum will get a chance next year to make an NFL team. He is a very talented young man that when he keeps his mind on technique and playing soundly he can be a force.

Next up:Â DT Johnathan Strayhorn