Harvard lost talent on offense as well, but a veteran offensive line and returning skill position players should keep the Crimson explosive.

A source of concern for Murphy is the wide receiver position, where the only returning player with experience is junior Terence Patterson.

Colby Skelton, the school's all-time leading receiver, and Jared Chupaila both graduated last year. They were go-to players for Linden in third-down sit- uations.

Patterson is Harvard's big-play threat, andLinden will try to get him the ball as often aspossible, whether on passes, reverses or returns.Opposite Patterson, the Crimson will try seniorJake Heller and sophomores Josh Wilske and CarlBackes.

Although the offensive line lost two starters,including Matt Birk, who made the MinnesotaVikings roster, Harvard has found a replacement.

Sophomore tackle Mike Clare has been thesurprise of camp, Murphy said. Clare, at 6'4 and305 pounds, will step into Birk's position andprotect Linden's blind side. The other startersare seniors.

"[Left tackle] was a big concern," Murphy said."But [Clare]'s had an outstanding spring andpreseason, beyond our expectations."

Two players stand to benefit most from a goodline: Menick and Linden. Menick, who set schoolrecords with 1,267 yards rushing and 14 touchdownslast year, returns and will have to be theworkhorse again because Troy Jones cannot rotatewith him. Sophomore backup Chuck Nwokocha hasspeed and moves but has to show he can be durable.

Linden, who established himself as a startertwo years ago, was a second-team All-Ivy selectionand made sure that Harvard's attack wasbalanced--his 164 completions set a school record.His season totals of 2,099 yards passing and 16touchdowns were second all-time for a Harvardquarterback. He also added five rushing touchdownsand set the school total offense record with 2,308yards.

"The minute Rich (Linden) came to Harvard, fromthe first practice he did things instinctivelythat are very hard to teach a kid," Murphy said."Either you have it or you don't, and he had it."

Junior Brad Wilford will back up Linden, andMurphy said Wilford improved greatly during theoff season.

Senior tight end Chris Eitzmann returns healthythis year and at 6'4 should once again be agoal-line target for Linden.

There is a question mark at fullback, wheresophomore Grady Smalling will make his firstcareer start in the season-opener againstColumbia. Damon Jones was a great athlete and athreat as a receiver and runner last season, butSmalling will probably have a more limited role.

Special Teams

The aspect of the team Murphy complained aboutmost last season was the kicking game. Murphyconstantly lamented the inconsistency of juniorplacekicker and punter Mike Giampaolo, who battledsome injuries.

When it mattered, however, Harvard found a wayto win. Giampaolo kicked two crucial field goalslate in the wild 14-12 victory over Princeton,including a career-long 43-yarder for the win.Murphy said he thinks the kicking will be the bestit's been during his tenure.