By LARRY VAUGHT
Continuity can be important for an offensive line to give teammates a chance to make sure they understand what each one is doing.
However, Kentucky sophomore guard Stuart Hines thinks having depth in the offensive front is even better.
“It’s not bad to play a lot of guys. We just have to be on the same page, focus and communicate,” said Hines. “You can change guys in and out as long as the guy next to you knows what to tell you and you know what to tell him. If you can make your calls, you should be fine.
“Right now we are going three teams and rotating guys in with the third team. We have almost four offensive lines now, which is unheard of around here. There were years they didn’t even sign an offensive lineman. We not only have depth, but we have quality depth and that’s really a good thing.”
Senior tackle Justin Jeffries, UK’s most experienced lineman, hopes Kentucky is going to have a better offensive line this year, too.
“As long as we stay injury free, we can be better. It’s a mesh. Your offensive line has to mesh together. When you have key components drop out, it makes the mesh separate,” Jeffries said. “You have to get used to new players playing with you if someone goes down. It is like a comfort thing. If we can all stay healthy and be in there together, then I think we will be just fine.”
Hines expects UK to have an impressive line led by preseason all-Southeastern Conference pick Zipp Duncan. However, he also knows it’s sometimes easier said than done.
“I feel like we have the makings of a great offensive line, but we did last year, too. We just didn’t get the production we thought we would last year,” Hines said. “I still think we had a good year last year, but we need to improve on that and take this program to an even higher level.”
Jeffries has an even simpler motivation
“This is my last rodeo so to speak, so you have to get all you can get. Every time I come out here I have to remember this could be my last time to come out here and practice or play,” the senior tackle said.
He’s one of the unsung players on UK’s team. He’s started in two straight bowl victories and also played in UK’s bowl win his freshman season. Yet he’s not normally mentioned when top returning players are discussed.
“I feel like it goes with the position. You take what you can get pretty much. The offensive line never gets a lot of attention. The publicity you get mostly is bad. Stuff like false starts, especially with me. That and sacks and stuff like that. You just try to stay out of the media and most of the time you will be okay,” he said.
He’s not upset that he was not mentioned on any preseason all-SEC teams.
“Everybody on there deserved it. That’s my attitude,” Jeffries said. “People say what they want. If they didn’t vote for me, I am going to do what I can to get on the postseason team. That’s all I can do and control.”
He would trade any individual honors to just stay healthy. He’s had two shoulder surgeries at UK and also hurt his knee last year.
“It has been a pretty hard battle. It is like a mountain I have to climb. That is what I try to do,” he said.
He hurt  his shoulder either in the season-ending Tennessee game or in the week of practice before that game. Yet he still played in the Liberty Bowl.
“All the prep for the Liberty Bowl was pretty tough for me. I had a lot of hours in the training room. I tried to get fit so I could play,” Jeffries said. “Me and Brad (Durham) rotated, so that helped me a lot. It is a good thing he (Durham) has developed into a real good player and given us some depth back there because it can be a grind in the line. You never know what can happen.”
That’s why Hines has put on a “couple of pounds” without sacrificing his quickness or agility.
“I had a productive spring and got more confidence,” Hines said. “Last year  I really didn’t know what I was getting into. This year I have a heads up and head start to the year. You come out of high school on top and here you are on the bottom. You have to work your way up and into playing time.. There is a lot to learn.
“It’s always hard to run the ball well in the SEC because there are so many good defensive linemen and linebackers. It’s hard to run it, but we have to get more yards on the ground to help our passing attack and we know it’s up to our line to make sure we get that done.”

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