All Eyes On Center
Chris Morris anchors a hard-working, highly effective offensive line.
Oct. 3, 2005
By Stephani Cramer, MSU Sports Information Student Assistant
For the past two seasons, the offensive line has been the strongest part of a successful Spartan offense. As such, it was the unit that had the highest expectations set for it when it returned to the gridiron this season.
Anchoring that offensive line is senior center Chris Morris, an All-American candidate, and a preseason candidate for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to college football's top center. Being part of such a strong and well-respected offensive line puts healthy pressure on the Spartan front line to perform even better than last year.
"People are realizing that we're a good bunch of kids and we know what we're doing on the field," said Morris. "Defenses are going to be gunning for us now. They're going to be trying every which way to beat us, and we've just got to make sure we're on top of every play."
Despite the individual attention Morris is getting for his performance on the field, he's quick to point out that the offensive line is a solid, hard-working unit, not just a single player.
"People look at the center as the conductor of the offensive line," Morris said, "but I'm not the only one making the calls. Everyone has their own calls to make, I'm just the starter - I'll start by calling off the defense and everyone will work off that. It's not just one person, it's the five or six guys working together that are going to win the big games for you. Winning is a team thing."
The outcome of every game is more important to Morris than what individual awards he is given at the end of the season. All he needs to make him happy at the end of every game is to see the running backs have done well, and that quarterback Drew Stanton doesn't have grass stains on his knees. Those are signs that Morris and his offensive line have done their jobs.
With the necessity for six players to be on the same wavelength, committed to the same goal, and willing to make the same sacrifices, communication is essential along the line of scrimmage. Morris believes that communicating off the field is just as important, if not more important, than communicating with each other on the field. It helps build trust between players, which is another essential ingredient to the success of the football program.
"You have to be able to trust your teammates 100 percent," said Morris. "If you know they're doing the right thing off the field, then you know they're going to work hard on the field and get the job done." Morris, after three years working deep in the trenches and starting 28 consecutive games, was named one of the team captains this season. He smiles in awe when talking about the honor of being named a captain.
Chris Morris is a candidate for the Rimington Trophy, handed out to the nation's top center.
"It was an unbelievable feeling to be one of the few," Morris said. "I'll be known as a captain for Michigan State University through the history of the school. To be a member of the group of people that have led previous Spartan teams is a definite honor."
As captain, Morris has taken it upon himself to make sure the younger players are living up to the expectations set for them by the football program. It's only natural for a captain to be expected to help keep the younger players working hard in practice, making sure they're learning the playbook and going to class. Morris also knows it's his job to pressure the younger players when they aren't doing things right.
After all, Morris had some great players doing the same for him when he was a rookie.
"I credit everything I know to the center and the offensive linemen before me - Brian Ottney and Paul Harker and Joe Tate," Morris said. "They were amazing teachers of the game. They showed me how to practice hard and how to play the game with extreme intensity. I'm just trying to pass that down to the younger kids."
Being a captain automatically means that the younger players will look to Morris to set an example by actions, as well as words - a challenge that Morris relishes. It helps him be more prepared, whether he's watching tape, watching himself, or studying the defense during a game. His veteran experience on the line of scrimmage has given him the chance to develop into an effective player. No longer needing to think about the upcoming play once it is called provides a chance for Morris to read the opposing defense.
"I've got our offense down pat," said Morris, "so as soon as a play is called out, I know exactly what I'm doing. I get more of a chance to pick up on the little things the defense is doing - if they're leaning in their stance or if they're giving away a blitz."
The downside to all his experience in the Michigan State trenches is that it will soon be ending. As a senior, Morris is taking all the time he can to enjoy things he took for granted as a rookie.
"I'm making sure I enjoy every day in practice," Morris said. "I make sure I come in every day enjoying everything I'm doing because I don't have much time left."
Morris wasn't always sure he wanted to attend Michigan State, having grown up near the Ohio border and being a Toledo fan. However, he also watched Big Ten football, and decided that was the road for him. Despite every preconceived thought he had about Big Ten football, he watched those ideas become so much more than he had ever expected.
"My time here has far exceeded what I expected," Morris said. "It's been the best time of my life."
So keep your eyes on the senior center from Lambertville, Michigan. It won't be much longer before he gives up the Spartan jersey for an NFL jersey, and starts making a name for himself in the professional ranks. Long after he's left the Spartans, however, his impact will be felt by the younger players that set up on the offensive line.