bgorman@heraldsun.com; 419-6668
CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina's Greg Elleby was a little surprised when Coach Butch Davis approached him in the spring about switching positions.
It was the second day of spring practice when Davis asked the defensive lineman if he would mind moving over to offensive line to help out the Tar Heels, who were a little thin at that position entering the 2009-10 season.
"Basically, Coach Davis came to me and said, 'I need you to help the team. Right now [on the] offensive line, that's the shortest depth we've got on the team,' " said Elleby, who never had played offensive line. "So I went over -- try to help out the team the best I can. Try to be the best player I can, just help my team win."
Little did Elleby know that he would be learning two new positions.
Since the spring, UNC has lost three more offensive linemen. Aaron Stahl opted to graduate instead of returning for a final season, reserve Kevin Bryant decided not to return to UNC for his sophomore season and backup left tackle Carl Gaskins tore his anterior cruciate ligament a week ago and was lost for the year.
So the remaining offensive linemen have been asked to help out with the depth problem by becoming more versatile.
When Gaskins was lost for the season, Elleby was asked to learn not only left guard but also left tackle. And junior Alan Pelc, who started the final 10 games of the 2008 season at left guard, now is listed as the starter at right guard.
"In all honesty, this is somewhat like what you're faced with in the National Football League," Davis said. "When you've got a 53-man roster, you might only carry eight offensive linemen all year long. So you've got your starting five and one of those five may have to show some versatility that he can immediately go from one position to another."
Senior Kyle Jolly has started 25 straight games at left tackle, but he's learning right tackle.
"It's just pretty much the exact opposite," Jolly said. "It's just able to flip the plays over and know that you have the back help or the slides coming your way, the pass protection is coming your way on this one and going the other way on the other side."
Elleby said even while he plays at tackle, he's studying his guard plays so he can be ready for either position come game day. The 6-5, 290 pound junior has been repeatedly praised in the preseason by his coach and teammates for his hard work and is listed as a backup left guard.
"Greg's a good athlete and anytime that you're a former defensive lineman going to the offensive line, you bring a tough mentality," Davis said. "[He] may be a little bit faster than some of the other offensive lineman, so his athletic ability, I think, certainly helps him there. He's really made strides because of having the opportunity to go through spring practice."
Elleby said that playing on the offensive line is less about attacking and more about technique but believes he's a "natural pass blocker." He said he's glad he made the transition to offensive line.
"I'm not concerned about our depth at all," Elleby said. "I'm glad we've got the guys in the room that our going to help us win games."
NOTE -- Junior defensive back Matt Merletti tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Tuesday's afternoon practice and will miss the rest of the season. Merletti was listed second on the depth chart at strong safety and was one of the Tar Heels' top special teams players a year ago.
