Offensive line

By Drew Champlin

Published: August 30, 2007

Just so you guys will really think sports writers wake up at 6:48 a.m…..(I didn’t, but set the time for this morning)

Here’s some offensive line stuff, most of which came after a conversation with offensive coordinator Tony Franklin Wednesday night. I’ve got an offensive line story planned for Friday.

***It looks like Wes Potter, a JUCO transfer from Snow JC in Utah, will start at right guard Saturday against Arkansas because Steven Merkel is battling a high ankle sprain and hasn’t practiced in the last week. I’m betting Merkel sees some action Saturday because sprains usually magically heal for big games. Who knows, though. Coaches feel like Potter is a pretty good player, but needs to lose some weight to be able to play more snaps. He’s listed at 6-foot-5, 339 pounds but that was a month ago.

Will Chambliss is a guy that has been around for a while and the 6-foot-6, 304-pounder is set to begin his redshirt junior season as the starter at left guard. Here’s some stuff from him that won’t make it into tomorrow’s story, but I wanted to put on here.

On making his move to the top and being a guy with tackle-size, but playing guard.
I know everybody expects it out of me, so I need to do it. I want them to feel like they got their money’s worth out of me. I personally want to do good and succeed.

From a coaching point of view, they think I’m more comfortable inside. I like playing inside – I like the comfort of having one guy here and one guy there. You have to watch the linebackers more.

It’s an unproven line, but Chambliss feels like they’ve meshed
There’s unity in that – that’s what you have to have on the offensive line, unity and trust. I really think we’re ready as an offensive line and I think we’re going to end up being better than in years past.

Chambliss’ only career start was last year at Nebraska when James Gardner was hurt. On being ready for full-time duty
I think I’m more ready now. Not to say I wasn’t ready then, but at the same time I can definitely see the difference with how I felt then and how I feel now.
I’m ready for it. I’ve worked too hard with technique and strength.