with four sophomores.
By Brad Broders
Assistant Sports Editor
Senior center Adam Metts' tasks on the offensive line go way beyond snapping the football to quarterback Ronald Curry.
It even goes beyond protecting Curry himself.
Metts, the lone senior on North Carolina's offensive line, is also left the challenge of helping mentor the rest of Tar Heels' line, which is projected to start four sophomores.
One of those sophomores, left tackle Greg Woofter, knows Metts' importance for the line's growth.
"His leadership is more vocal," Woofter said. "There is not a lot of vocal people out there, and that is what we needed in a center and in a senior."
"You've got to be able to rally when the going gets tough. He gets on people, and we get on him just the same, but it's just a little bit different when you've been there a little bit longer."
Woofter and the rest of the line are again coached by Robbie Caldwell, one of three coaches from former UNC coach Carl Torbush's staff who avoided termination.
Caldwell and new offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill looked to make the offense quicker and more athletic in 2001.
Sophomore Jupiter Wilson, the projected left guard, is one of many players who expressed support towards the new offensive philosophy.
"You've got to be smarter in this offense, I guess," Wilson said. "(It) is different compared to last year. I will say that we are a little more athletic."
On the right side of the line, two players -- Jeb Terry and Marcus Wilson -- look to overcome their inexperience.
At 6-foot-6 and 295 pounds, Terry is an imposing presence and big blocker downfield. Despite missing the 2000 season with a fractured ankle, Terry performed well in the spring and is slotted to start at right tackle.
Anchoring the right guard position is Wilson, who lacks size but has solid technique and strength up front.
"We are still making mistakes, but that is going to be expected this early in the season, especially coming off a new team and a new offense, but definitely we are doing a lot better than we were expected to do," Metts said.
"We are trying to work out the small details of the offense, and once we get a foothold onto that we will be able to succeed very easily."
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