Anthony Parker and Ramon Foster

Offensive linemen really have a thankless job. No highlights for the hippo-ballerinas. Unless, of course, you catch a glimpse of them as a running back is praised by the commentators for running through that massive hole that the o-lineman has opened or unless it's that one play out of 100 he's screwed up by committing a penalty or, horror of horrors, getting beat by a defender.

No, an offensive lineman's success is probably best measured in games played and starts, and Ramon Foster and Anthony Parker have those in spades. Parker and Foster played in six and seven games respectively, and started one and two respectively in 2005 as redshirt freshmen. SEC coaches recognized Foster's contributions to that season by naming him to the Freshman All-SEC team.

Parker and Foster played in 12 and 11 games respectively in 2006 and then they both started all 14 games in 2007, the season during which they were the key cogs in the machine that allowed only four sacks all season. Opponents sacked Tennessee quarterbacks only once every 133.5 pass attempts. Foster even got some national publicity from analyst Mark May when he played the entire game against Vanderbilt despite breaking his thumb in pregame warmups. The offensive line for which these guys started all season produced a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and a 1,000-yard receiver. Parker was an AP and Rivals All-American and an AP, Rivals, and Coaches All-SEC selection.

I have no highlights tagged "Anthony Parker" or "Ramon Foster" but look for Nos. 75 and 78 whenever you're watching highlights of Erik Ainge or any running back the last three seasons for Tennessee. They're as much responsible for the success of those guys as the playmakers themselves.