July 31, 2002

Gary Patterson: "We have a lot of guys with experience and we have a lot more depth. I'm not sure that you could say we trusted five guys on the offensive line at the start of the 2001 season. This year, we probably have trust in eight or nine guys in the rotation to start the season. That makes a big difference. That gives you an opportunity to get the ball in the hands of the guys you want to have touch the ball like Adrian Madise and LaTarence Dunbar.

"The reason we feel a lot better this year is due to experience. Last year we didn't have a lot of experience on the offensive line, outside of Victor Payne. That forced us to move several people around to find the right combination. It may have hurt us a little at that time, but now it probably has helped us because they all played several different positions. We now have a little bit more flexibility as to where we can play people. For instance, Jamal Powell can play center or guard. John Glud can play tackle or guard. It will help us in the long run."

After entering the 2001 season as a liability due to the return of just one starter in Victor Payne, the TCU offensive line should be one of the team's assets in 2002.

The departure of Payne, the last of the "Big Uglies" that paved the way for LaDainian Tomlinson to run wild during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, and the Frogs' lone first-team all-league selection, will be a big loss, but the experience gained by the nine returning lettermen should more than offset his departure.

Seniors Jamal Powell and Brady Barrick are the cornerstones of the line. Powell, who battled autoimmune hepatitis during the 2001 season, is back at full weight and strength. A leader on the line, he is listed as the number one left guard entering the fall after starting at center last season. Barrick, who mans the right tackle position, is the fastest of the TCU linemen, having posted a 4.87 clocking over 40 yards. Both are looking for outstanding final collegiate campaigns.

Following the spring drills, senior Josh Harbuck, junior John Glud and sophomore Chase Johnson have the edge for the remaining starting positions at right guard, left tackle and center respectively. Anthony Alabi, Jon Morgan and J.T. Aughinbaugh, a starter last season, will be counted on to contribute. Alabi is a talented sophomore who could come on quickly.

Matt Orlovsky saw limited playing time at tackle last season and will provide depth on the offensive line, along with Zach Bray, one of the strongest players on the squad, and Michael Bruegel.

The future of the Frogs' offensive line lies in a quartet of freshmen who were all redshirted last season. Ben Angeley, Stephen Culp, Shane Sims and Michael Toudouze have all worked hard in the weight room and have made progress as they've become more familar with the college football setting. Culp especially caught the coach's eye as a young center.

TCU added just one offensive lineman during the spring signing period, but he's projected to be a good one. Herbert Taylor was a standout, not only in football, where he was a finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club Player of the Year Award at Fort Bend Hightower High School, but also in baseball and track.