Experience on offensive line has MU optimistic

~ The Tigers return four starters up front.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- With four of five starters returning from last season, Missouri coaches believe the offensive line has the potential to be very good in 2006.

You wouldn't necessarily know it from the team's first full scrimmage of the preseason Monday, when the offense managed just 70 rushing yards on 52 carries, a 1.35-yards-per-carry average.

"We're not analyzing statistics right now," offensive coordinator Dave Christensen said Tuesday. "There are a lot of different scenarios going on in the game so I'm not overly concerned with that."

Coach Gary Pinkel said that even though the offensive line had made progress through the first week of practice, it needs to maintain consistency. In addition to the low rushing output, quarterbacks were sacked four times in the 154-play scrimmage.

"I think they are doing some good things, but it's the same old thing -- you can't do real well and then let somebody blow through and light the quarterback up and lose 14 yards," Pinkel said.

On the plus side, center Adam Spieker, a three-year starter, has made progress in overcoming early struggles on shotgun snaps.

"Hopefully we won't have another bad snap the rest of the year," Christensen said.

The only starter lost from the 2005 unit was All-Big 12 left guard Tony Palmer, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round.

"He was a leader and he was a great player, too," Spieker said. "We're going to miss him, but he's gone now and we need to move on."

Taking Palmer's spot at left guard is Monte Wyrick, a 6-5, 325 pound junior from Texarkana, Ark., who was named the most improved offensive lineman after spring practice. He played in 11 games last year, starting one of them. Christensen said sophomore Ryan Madison could see considerable playing time as well.

"A lot of guys can shuffle around. There are two more big scrimmages. There are a lot of guys fighting for that job, and we're going to put the best player in there," Christensen said.

The only injury concern on the line involved left tackle Tyler Luellen. The 6-7, 300-pound junior who started every game a year ago tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during spring practice and has yet to participate in full-contact drills this summer. He's not sure when he'll be ready to go.

"He's getting a lot of work -- he's not going live, but he's still getting a lot of work," Christensen said. "His time will come soon enough -- he'll be game-ready shortly."

Redshirt freshman Kurtis Gregory has been working with the first-team offense in Luellen's place.

Also expected to start on the offensive line are right guard Mike Cook, a 6-3, 315-pound senior who is one of four team captains and started 11 games last season. Joel Clinger, a 6-6, 315-pound senior, will start at right tackle. Clinger started every game in 2005.