FWST: TCU gains flexibility on offensive line, Patterson says

BY CARLOS MENDEZ cmendez@star-telegram.com

TCU coach Gary Patterson said the coaching staff went from feeling good about four offensive linemen into the fall to believing it has nine going into the first game.

“Because we had to sit some guys down for a while because of bangs and other things, some other guys had to grow up,” Patterson said Monday during the Big 12 coaches conference call. “That’s one of the things that we work very hard on in two-a-days — next guy up. Whether it’s a freshman or walk-on or whoever it is, we have to keep practicing so everybody else can get better.”

Patterson said starting guard Patrick Morris is a “better than average center,” which would allow for starting center Austin Schlottman to play tackle if that became necessary.