Senior Feature - Justin Bland
10/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 26, 2001
By Bob Houchin
MU Media Relations Office
Overworked and under appreciated. That is the life of an offensive lineman.
While the "skill position" players score the points, receive all the attention and bask in the media limelight, offensive lineman must battle 300-pound gladiators in hand-to-hand combat, clinging to one ideal: despite their gloryless existence, without them, their offense and their team will not be successful.
"We're not the ones scoring touchdowns. We're not the ones throwing the passes," said Justin Bland, MU's starting strong side offensive tackle. "To play on the offensive line, you have to know that you won't get any hype. You can't be worried about statistics. You have to be a team player and take pride in opening holes and getting the job done for the other people on your team."
Few have been better at opening holes for Mizzou running backs than Bland. He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 345 pounds. He also possesses freakish quickness for a man with such imposing size.
For the past four years, the honorable mention All-Big 12 offensive tackle has towered over defensive lineman and dominated them like few before at MU. In spite of his relative anonymity among Mizzou's star players, he knows his job and the job of his fellow linemates is to dictate and control the course of the game.
"The game is won in the trenches. If you go out there and allow others to get open, to make plays and put points on the board, you are going to win," said Bland. "We are the key factor in any ball game. It's one offensive unit against the other team's best defensive unit. My best friends are on that offensive line. You have to stick up and be there for one another."
Through the work is hard and the rewards are few, the position does have its share of high points and positive aspects.
"We set the temp of the offense and the game. If we run up there, every play, get set, and knock them off the ball, we can dictate the outcome," said Bland. "Whenever you blow someone off the ball, it gives you that feeling that no one can touch you. Plus, it allows our guys, whether it's a receiver or a running back, to find daylight and run for the end zone. And when they get there, that's the greatest feeling in the world for an offensive lineman."
Bland's intense desire to not only physically but also mentally beat the man across the line from him was not something that he developed on his own. While Bland has grown into a dominant football player at MU, he credits much of his success from watching some of Mizzou's most storied offensive lineman throughout the years.
"Having players like Rob Riti, Craig Heimburger, and Todd Neimeyer around has affected my development quite a bit," Bland said. "I can still remember how they worked and performed at practice and in games. It kind of rubs off on you. Having leaders like them really teaches you how to practice, prepare, and play like a champion."
The work ethic that Bland learned from those past players has taken him from playing as a true freshman to starting as an established senior. That same work ethic took Bland into the weight room this past off-season. He rededicated himself and came into this football season in the best physical shape of his life.
"When you first come in, there is a lot you don't know and a lot you have to learn," Bland said. "The game and speed of it are a lot faster. I think over the years I have adjusted and adapted well to be able to play with good speed and compete at high level. Physically, I am much stronger in my core lifts this year. I am a lot faster as well. I just put on 15 to 20 pounds of muscle while also dropping body weight. I've just really have gotten a lot stronger and faster."
Bland hopes that his hard work not only pays off in improved play and additional wins this season but also in a possible football career after graduation.
"That's the ultimate goal for everyone who plays this sport. But if it happens, it happens," said Bland. "If not, I'll have played at a great university and have gotten a great education."
Until graduation comes, Bland will continue to enjoy his time here at MU playing the game he loves with his best friends.
"Football is something I like to do. I enjoy it," Bland said. "At the same time, my greatest memories are from the friendships I have developed with my coaches and teammates here. It's given me memories for the rest of my life."
