Bye Week Q&A: Foster Sarell discusses OL progress, Carberry
Junior offensive tackle Foster Sarell is one of only two remaining healthy, experienced starters for the Cardinal up front. He shared his thoughts on the rock at the center of the line, how his position coach has handled the chaos of injuries and his own progress.
On Drew Dalman's communication along the line and with the team this season: "For me it has been great. We did spring ball with four O-lineman so I have gotten really well acquainted with Drew and the way he calls a game. We're roommates, we're really close friends. I am so confident when Drew is in the huddle and he runs the ship really well. I know he is going to give a million percent effort past what a normal human can even think of. I have complete trust in him."
What do you see from Coach Carberry while he's trying to get what he can out of a starting five that's constantly changing and learning on the go? How has he handled that process?
"I think we talked about a stat where Coach Carbs has had like 14 of 17 of the O-lines the past two years have been new groups, or something. And he has been awesome. Coming from an NFL (background) it's next man up. Someone goes down it's the nature of the game and it's how it goes. You put people in ... and play them, get them to learn the system and you roll.
That's really how it has been going for us and I think he's done a great job. He does a great job with developing the young kids and really teaching them the basic fundamentals of how we play football. I think that does a really good job of not over-complicating things, which translates to the game a lot better than putting a bunch on their plate and expecting them to break all of it down and play. He makes it simple for them so they can execute."
That puts a lot of stress on him as a teacher. How would you describe how he is teaching this season and if it has changed at all from last season?
"I don't think he flinches. When stuff happens he just goes. I think that's the way he's built and who he is as a man. He just goes, so when anything happens it's next man up and let's rock. I don't think he ever thinks there is something different he needs to do. He just coaches and he coaches whatever he sees on the film, whatever he needs to fix, and that has been a really good testament to him."
Going back to the Arizona game, what did it mean to have KJ back out there? What did his presence bring?
"It felt really good. It's pretty well known KJ is an incredible leader the way he brings that juice and he really gets the guys behind him. Having him in the huddle gives confidence. His ability to get the job done, his ability to see the field and being vocal with us ... as an O-lineman when you have someone talking like that and you feel that it really boosts you. It gives you an extra adrenaline push. I love KJ as a brother. He's an awesome dude."
What do you like best about the steps you've taken this season with your game?
"Personally, I think my pass protection has been very good. I've been very confident in my ability to pass protect. I feel like I've kept the quarterback pretty clean for the most part. I still have a bunch of things to do. This is my first full season of playing. I feel like I've done a good job. I feel like I have a lot of room to improve and I'm really excited about that."