Lineman University

What happened to this region of the country that used to be called Lineman University. I am talking about the Western Pennsylvania region that used to pump out offensive linemen like it was going out of style. As of today, September 9, 2010, there is one offensive lineman active in the entire NFL from the area inclusive of Erie over to Johnstown, down to Uniontown and over to the PA-Ohio border. He is Reggie Wells from South Park High School, and Reggie took his talents to Clarion University and played for the Arizona Cardinals and was recently traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Reggie Wells was going to follow his father's foot-steps and plays hoops at Clarion but opted to play football and the rest is history. What has happened to the Pittsburgh region? Is it the population decline or is it the lack of size coming out of this region? The coaching is still really good. It is hard to put your finger on it. Look back at some of the Offensive linemen that emulated from this region back in the 1970's and 80's. Bruce Clark from New Castle HS, Bill Fralic from Penn Hills HS, Jimbo Covert from Freedom HS, Jim Sweeney from Seton LaSalle HS, Jeff Christie from Freeport HS. I am sure I am overlooking numerous other linemen that played high school football in this region. Maybe it is a cyclical event and if it is, it has been going on for a while. But there is hope of the horizon. Two senior Offensive linemen from this region are rated very high going into April, 2001 draft. They are OT/OG Jason Pinkston from Pitt(Baldwin)and OC Stefen Wisniewski from Penn State(Pittsburgh Central Catholic) and a third senior is a legit sleeper from Slippery Rock U. is OC/OG Brandon Fusco from Seneca Valley.