NC State recruited Sophomore Tony Adams to play Center, but the Wolfpack coaches moved him to Right Guard last year because he was to good to keep off the field.  Adams started 9 games at Right Guard as a true Freshman, and saw some action at Center as well.  He started more games than any other true Freshman and earned the Philip Rivers Award, given annually to the Wolfpack’s Freshman of the Year.

I caught up with Adams after practice recently and he told me that he’s entering this season with a different level of comfort and confidence than last year.

“I know a lot more of the plays and schemes this year, so I’m definitely a lot more comfortable,” said Adams.  “I can play a lot faster and be more fluid.  Everything isn’t cluttered.  It’s clear now.”

The Offensive Line still doesn’t possess the depth that Doeren would love to see, but there is no denying that it is much deeper than last season, and the result has been more competition.

“The battle has been great.  We have a lot of depth this year.  Everybody’s on their toes.  Everyone has to go hard every practice, or you could get your spot taken,” said Adams. “Being competitive is good, because it makes everybody better.  It’s been great for us.  We embrace the competition and push each other each and every day.”

The lack of depth led Coach Doeren to rotate many of the Linemen around all throughout camp, so that at any given time, they would be able to step in and fill a gap.  This was done out of necessity, but Adams thinks that it has been very valuable in building versatility.

“Versatility and being able to play different positions is the best thing.  I’ve been playing Right Guard and Center,” said Adams. “Center is the position I’ve been playing since I came here.  I was recruited as a Center.  It’s good for everyone, that way if anyone goes down, anyone can come in at that position.”

People thought think that the Offensive Line is one of the weak points on the team this year, but Adams reminded me that they thought the same thing last year, and were proven wrong.

“I think we just keep getting stronger and stronger.  Last year people thought we were the weak point, and we ended up being one of the strongest points,” said Adams.  “Being able to rush for over 300 yards in 2 out of the final 3 games was great for the Offensive Line.  This year I think we are even better this year.”

The Wolfpack offensive line isn’t the deepest position group on the team, but it might be the most versatile, and one of the most experienced.  Adams is a Sophomore, and Will Richardson is a RS Freshman, but the other three starters (Schooley, Thuney and Barr) are Seniors.  It’s the experience and leadership of these three that give Adams confidence that the unit is even better.

“They’re great.  They’re technicians.  They know everything that’s going on and help everyone on the Offensive Line get where they need to be,” said Adams. “I look up to them every day.  Even though I’m in the same line with them, I look up to them because they’re leaders, and really influential on what we do as an Offensive Line.”