North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Offensive Line Gets New Look
8/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.--With so much expected of an NC State offensive unit that returns a plethora of weapons at the skill positions this season, it was perhaps easy to overlook the fact that the Wolfpack would have to replace two consistent offensive linemen that played a big part in the team's success a year ago. But head coach Chuck Amato and his staff knew that filling the void left by tackle Scott Kooistra and guard Shane Riggs wouldn't necessarily be easy. Now, a little more than a week into the preseason, the coaches have done some tweaking that could give the Pack's O-line a completely different look.
Over the last few days, Sean Locklear, who started every game at right guard last season, has been working at the same right tackle spot that Kooistra had so ably held down for two full seasons.
"I really wanted to take a look at that last spring," Amato said following Wednesday' morning practice. "He's so athletic. There's a 300-pound kid that runs probably a 4.85. He's so athletic and he's strong. [The move] may take some of the heat off some of our young people."
One of those young players is Derek Morris, a freshman from Huntersville who enrolled at NC State last January after originally signing with Ohio State. Although he was one of the nation's most highly touted linemen coming out of North Mecklenburg High School, Morris did not play football last season after leaving Ohio State.
"Derek Morris needs all the reps he can get," Amato said.
Dramatic position changes are nothing new for Locklear, who was a defensive end in 2000 and 2001 before making the move to offense in the spring of 2002. Last season, the Lumberton native was in on 902 snaps from scrimmage, a figure that tied him with left tackle Chris Colmer for the team lead.
As of Wednesday, the starting offensive line featured Colmer and Locklear at tackle, Ricky Fowler and Leroy Harris at the guard spots and Jed Paulsen at center. The staff has also been impressed with sophomore John McKeon, who has worked at both guard and tackle.
"The offensive line is starting to come together with the chemistry," Amato said. "I think we've settled in on the five that we're going to go with and the five behind them. We're trying to get our five best people out there."
D-line Another Story: While NC State's offensive line now appears to be settled, the unit on the other side of the line of scrimmage is not. Because of youth and inexperience, the Wolfpack's defensive line has been labeled a question mark going all the way back to spring practice. To this point in fall camp, nothing has really changed.
"The defensive line has got me scratching my head," Amato said. "I'm concerned about a pass rush."
The Pack head coach did recognize defensive end Renaldo Moses as someone who has caught his eye.
T.A.Hamstrung: Star tailback T.A. McLendon stayed on the sidelines Wednesday morning after tweaking a hamstring during a goal line drill at the end of practice on Tuesday afternoon.
"T.A. pulled a hamstring on the first play of goal line," Amato explained. "He got whacked and pulled a hamstring just fighting for extra yardage."
Others, including tight end Roddy Long and defensive tackle Dwayne Herndon are also being hampered by hamstring injuries. Defensive end Kennie Covington (concussion) also sat out Wednesday morning's workout.
