Not too long ago, A.Q. Shipley was the new guy on the offensive line, bouncing back-and-forth from defensive line to center and guard two seasons ago.
Only last fall did he finally play a full schedule on offense, starting every game at center.
But that one year of experience makes Shipley, a junior, the leader of what is perhaps the No. 17 Nittany Lions' least game-tested unit.
Four of the five offensive linemen who will start Saturday's season-opener against Florida International will be starting at new positions.
Gerald Cadogan, a guard last year, inherits the left tackle spot that NFL Draft fifth-overall pick Levi Brown held down for four seasons.
Redshirt freshman Lou Eliades beat out junior Rich Ohrnberger in a competition for left guard that extended well into summer practices. Ohrnberger, a nine-game starter at guard in 2006, is now a reserve as the season opens.
John Shaw is the only senior starter on the line, shifting inside to right guard from tackle, where he started 10 games last season.
Redshirt sophomore Dennis Landolt backed up Brown last season at left tackle but has now flipped to the right side.
In the middle of all the changes is Shipley, the only constant from a season ago.
"Everybody has their doubts a little bit going into this year," Shipley said yesterday. "Don't hold judgement until [you] see how those guys play on the field. They've done a great job, let 'em go out and play a little bit."
Cadogan, at 6-foot-5, 313-pounds, is similar in body type and weight to Brown, listed on the Arizona Cardinals roster at 6-foot-5, 322-pounds.
His task is the same as Brown's, too: protect quarterback Anthony Morelli's blind side from pass rushers.
"Gerald played a lot of games last year. I don't think you have to worry about him too much. We do have Lou stepping in and he doesn't have too much experience," Morelli said. "But I don't worry about Gerald at all."
Said Cadogan: "We're definitely going to be able to give Morelli ample time."
On the right side, though, Shaw may have had the toughest time transitioning inside to guard after splitting his career at both defensive and offensive tackle.
That move -- coupled with Landolt's switch and all the other changes on the line since last season -- has created a sense of uncertainty.
But in the middle, Shipley will continue to bark out protection calls for the offense, a task now second nature. It qualifies him as an elder statesman on the line.
"I'm just trying to be as much of a leader as I can," he said.
