StateFansNation is proud to present a special series focused on NC State offensive lines in the Chuck Amato era. One of our readers, “Mickey McCarthy” (gotta love that), has done some excellent work that we are going to share over the next few days. Thanks so much, Mickey!
With preseason camp right here, I thought we’d take a look at a critical position, the offensive line, and rank the units during Chuck Amato’s 6-season tenure. Since injuries are common along the line, the starters listed at each position feature the player who appeared most frequently during the season. At the end, we’ll take a sneak peek at this year’s projected starting five and see where they rank against the 2000-2005 groups.
#6: Dead Last By a Mile
2004, 5-6 overall, 3-5 (7th ACC), no bowl
RT…..Derek Morris….6’6…328…So
RG…..John McKeon…6’5…302…R-Jr
C……..Jed Paulson……6’1…290…Sr
LG…..Leroy Harris….6’3…286…R-So
LT…..Chris Colmer….6’6…325…R-Sr
Average size:
6’5
304 pounds
With impressive size, experience, and decent depth, this line was expected to help the transition of first year starting quarterback Jay Davis, not to mention paving yardage for a deep backfield featuring TA McLendon, Reggie Davis, and promising freshmen Darrell Blackmon and Bobby Washington. Chris Colmer returned to the lineup, bringing much needed leadership and the hope of restoring the viciousness of the 2002 line.
However, penalties, injuries, and lack of cohesion were major factors in NC State’s first losing season since 1997.
Paulsen, then Harris, then Fowler were all lost for the season midway through the campaign, and Colmer played with lingering pain and diminished strength.
On the Clemson road trip, the team traveled with seven scholarship lineman, and started a third string true freshman (Luke Lathan) at center. During that game, two long touchdown passes were called back due to the tackle lining too far off the line of scrimmage. The team remained in the game to the last possession, further frustrating fans who easily recognized that the team possessed talent to win 10 games.
False starts, holding, and personal fouls were a routine occurrence. Get the picture? A disastrous unit that made Jay Davis look worse than he was, and which easily bears the brunt of the blame for a horrific 5-6 season.
