WVU line by the numbers

DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER

MORGANTOWN - Other than the ones on their respective backs,offensive linemen and numbers generally do not mix well. Blocks madeand missed, for instance, do not appear in next-day small print inthe nation's sports sections.

Yet West Virginia University's offensive line can trot out severalnumbers for fan perusal.

Take 44. That is the number of starts the five linemen playingthis spring with the first team combined for in 2001. None hadpreviously started a game for the Mountaineers.

Then there is 1,500. That is the number of yards senior lefttackle Lance Nimmo wants to see tailback Avon Cobourne accumulatethis fall.

"That is real important," Nimmo said Monday evening.

Speaking after WVU's first practice following spring break, Nimmoand his fellow linemen appear capable of producing the interferencenecessary for Cobourne, who has 3,455 career rushing yards, to reachthat lofty total.

In addition to Nimmo, both junior right tackle Tim Brown andsenior center Zack Dillow started each 2001 game. Senior right guardKen Sandor started eight and rapidly improving left guard Jeff Berkstarted three as a redshirt freshman. All are healthy and slightlylarger this spring.

"They have a lot more experience than last year," WVU Coach RichRodriguez said. "They have to get stronger."

When Rodriguez was hired late in 2000, one of his first missionswas to conclude the era of 325-pound WVU offensive linemen. The no-huddle offense he was installing required linemen who could at leastjog at a reasonable pace after a play was over to reach the next lineof scrimmage. Linemen like Nimmo, Sandor and Brown combined to loseat least 100 pounds.

"We used to all go to the Chinese buffet," Sandor said. "Now it'sa lot of Subway."

The chore for this season is moderation. WVU's linemen perhapsbecame too small in 2001. Most have added weight, although not to theproportions of 2000. Mobility with mass is the preferredcharacteristic.

"Last year, fundamentals were lacking," Nimmo said. "We wereworried about the schemes."

Yet, Nimmo added, the WVU line performed well enough for Cobourneto rush for 1,298 yards in 2001. Improvement, of course, is expectedby all. The only starter lost to graduation was Brad Knell.

"The thing with our offensive line is we are more together," the 6-foot-6, 285-pound Nimmo said. "When we zone (block), we're coached totake the same steps. It seems everyone is moving fluidly. That'simportant."

Also vital is developing depth. Nimmo said the two players behindhim, redshirt freshmen Josh Stewart and Travis Garrett, are improved.Center seems secure with Ben Timmons and Matt Ameri providing depth.Timmons recently moved from guard. Taking his place is former centerJustin Williams.

Staying healthy and finding quality replacements will be criticalfor WVU's line this season. So, what's new? That is a given anywhere.Although no one is equating the Mountaineer group to the 2001 Miamiline, WVU's has a chance to be among the best in the Big EastConference this season.

Ah, experience.

"I'd like to think so," Nimmo said. "Even in a worst-case scenariothat we were average last year, this year we have to be one of thebest."

* n n

Spring ball bulbs and blossoms:

* Monday's workout in shorts at Mountaineer Field in sunny,cooling conditions was WVU's fourth this spring. Because the March 16date was postponed, Rodriguez wants WVU to get in five practices thisweek. That would end with a Saturday scrimmage. Practices in pads arescheduled for today and Wednesday.

"This is a big week for a lot of guys," he said. "In (Sunday's)team meeting, I told them it was a big month. I told them to puttheir Playstations somewhere else and tell their girlfriends they'llcall them in a month."

* Rodriguez added he wanted the offense's "entire package"installed by the end of the week.

* WVU will likely not have junior-college tight end Jason Hardeethis spring.

The California native, who enrolled in January, is still battlingan issue with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Even if Hardee must sit out2002, he will remain in school and play in 2003, Rodriguez said. Twotight ends, Tory Johnson and redshirt freshman Josh Bailey fromGilbert, were praised by Rodriguez.

* Because of scholarship numbers, defensive end Pat Liebig fromNaples, Fla., will likely not enroll until January, Rodriguez said.If so, Liebig would count against the next class's scholarship total.

* Oh, the reason for cramming so many of the allotted 15 practicesin this week? Rodriguez said the weather forecast looks good.

Writer Mike Cherry can be reached at 348-5170 or by e-mail atmikecherry@dailymail.com