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Grobe says offensive line looks 'athletic'
Last of 15 sessions is scheduled for today on campus practice field
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Published: April 19, 2008
Going into today's spring scrimmage, Coach Jim Grobe of Wake Forest likes the shape of things in his offensive line.
Retooling a line missing four key players from last season was one of Grobe's priorities over the 15 spring sessions, the last of which will be at 1 p.m. today on the campus practice field.
And from the looks of his starting lineup of Trey Bailey at center, Barrett McMillin and Russell Nenon at guards and Jeff Griffin and Joe Birdsong at tackles, Grobe will enter August practices encouraged.
"Now that we've got the weight down on some of these guys, I just like the looks of that group," Grobe said. "I especially like the looks of that first-team group, and even that second-team group. You look at them from back behind the quarterback, and you've got a group of guys who look athletic, and they're moving their feet pretty good.
"I think we've got the potential to be better up front that we were last year. And I know that we lost some veteran guys, but I think this might be the most athletic offensive line we've had in a long time."
The Deacons entered spring practices without Steve Justice, an All-America center, and Matthew Brim and Louis Frazier. All exhausted their eligibility after last season. Another gaping hole opened when junior Chris DeGeare, who has started 24 games, was ruled academically ineligible by Wake Forest for the 2008 season.
But what the new line lacks in experience, Grobe said, it makes up for with quickness and agility.
"There's a little more flexibility," Grobe said. "I think it gives us a chance to pull people a little bit more. We've got a chance to man-block a little more than we have in the past.
"Before, we've been such a zone team where we're counting on real tight splits and a lot of push. Now I think we're more athletic, and we've actually got the potential to just go one-on-one with some people up front.
"If we can do that, maybe that gives us a few more creases for (tailbacks) Josh (Adams) and Brandon (Pendergrass)."
With each passing spring practice, Grobe has given more and more time and repetitions to the players who have yet to establish themselves on the depth chart. Today's scrimmage will be especially important for those players vying for playing time on the second and third teams in the fall.
Ryan Britt and Chance Raines are competing for second-team center, Boomer Peterson, Gage Crews and Joe Looney for second-team guard, and Doug Weaver and Michael Hoag for second-team tackle.
Raines and Looney are freshmen in their first session of spring practices. Britt, Weaver and Hoag are redshirt freshmen, and Peterson and Crews are sophomores.
Looney, at 6-3, 315 pounds, has certainly caught Grobe's eye.
"I think Joe Looney has done some really good stuff," Grobe said. "I really like that kid right now, and I think with this summer to be here, and then with an August under his belt, that's a guy that has a chance to help us as a freshman."
Nenon is a converted center who could possibly end up back at that position. But that's a move Grobe doesn't want to make.
"I'm really concerned that we haven't had a backup center step up. We really need Ryan Britt or Chance Raines, someone in there needs to step up," Grobe said. "I think right now if something happened to Trey Bailey, we would probably have to move Russ Nenon back over to center, and I don't want to do that."
Today's scrimmage might also be critical for several defensive linemen trying to work themselves into the substitution rotation. Boo Robinson has practiced well, and John Russell has been sidelined this spring while recovering from shoulder surgery. Grobe and Ray McCartney, the defensive-tackles coach, are looking for another player or two to emerge as the replacement for the departed Zach Stukes.
Michael Carter, who missed the Meineke Car Care Bowl because of poor academic performance, has been one of the bright lights of the spring. And Grobe said he was really impressed with redshirt freshman Dennis Godfrey in last week's scrimmage at BB&T Field.
"Mike Carter's had a great spring," Grobe said. "He's really done some good things. Mike's problem is academic. He's been lazy in the classroom.
"He's trying right now. The light's come on. I don't think he's even had any electricity in the house for the first year and a half. He's not asleep at the wheel any more. He realizes that he's got a chance. He's a good player.
"Last Saturday it was fun watching Dennis, mainly because Dennis was having fun.. He started making some plays and he got excited."
Notes: Receiver Casey Hill, who was helped off the field during last Saturday's scrimmage, sustained a high-ankle sprain and should be fully recovered by the start of practice in August…. Defensive end Matt Robinson, who will turn 24 at the start of his sixth season at Wake Forest, has missed practices recently with a pulled groin muscle. Grobe was unconcerned enough to joke about Robinson's absence. "The problem is when you're 37 years old and you're still playing college football, that's when it's tough," Grobe said. "He's been around awhile and getting a little long in the tooth. Hopefully we can get one more season out of him."
■ Dan Collins can be reached at 727-7323 or at dcollins@wsjournal.com
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