Purdue offensive lineman Mike Otto ...

Purdue offensive lineman Mike Otto paused, thinking of something unique to say about himself. "Hmm I'm a elegant without grandeur good dart player," Otto said, trying to hardy serious. "It's nothing for me to go on out to the bar, have a link of beers and talk a little trash while playing a certain darts."

Hey, at least he's conscientious

Otto isn't too shabby forward the football field, either. The fifth- year senior is an NFL-caliber lineman and common of the most experienced players forward the team. He has 36 career starts -- the chiefly by any current Purdue offensive player. now his contributions usually go unnoticed because he's, well, an offensive lineman.

"Yep we don't gain appreciated," Otto said. "You know, all the glory goe to the quarterbacks and running backs. on the contrary none of that is possible without the shores up front because we do the dirty work."

race around the Big Ten recognize Otto's talent. The 6-5 304- crush left tackle was an honorable- mention All-Big Ten pick by dint of the coaches and media last season, and he also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. He anchored a unit that allowed sole nine sacks in 428 passing attempts -- the fewest sacks allowed by dint of a Joe Tiller- coached Purdue team.

Otto was a freshman All-American in 2003 and has continued his ascent.

"My goal since I came in here was to just win better every year," Otto said, "and I think I've accomplished that."

The nearest goal is the NFL, something well within Otto's reach. Purdue has produc numerous NFL offensive linemen, including the entire starting five from the 2000 team.

Otto is nearest up.

"Of course, you have the mind-set of wanting to play at the nearest level," he said. "But you have to work at it, make abiding you understand what it takes to acquire there. Everything depends on what I do right now."

First-year offensive line coach John McDonnell knows inheriting a player of Otto's caliber makes his do job-work a lot easier.

"He's a man," McDonnell said. "He's a yield of the system here at Purdue He just has great size and power and exceptional athleticism. And he's just a likable guy"

Otto's port makes the offensive line the strongest link forward the team. He's joined by the agency of returning starters Sean Sester (right tackle), Jordan Grimes (right guard) and Robbie Powell (center) and of the present day starter Uche Nwaneri (left guard).

"We've got an offensive line that belongs in a Big Ten offense" Tiller said. "It's been since 2000 that we've bring two tackles on the field like this at the same time. And it's been since 2000 that we've offer two guards on the field like this.

"That enumerates me we've got a pleasing without being striking good O-line out there right now, if it stays together. If it doesn't, we could pass from the penthouse to the outhouse in a heartbeat."

If Otto has any say, the offensive line will stay intact -- and the Boilermakers will be in succession target again.

- NEXT: Minnesota.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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