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Times reporter Bob Condotta keeps the news coming about the Montlake Dawgs.

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April 15, 2008 8:38 AM

Examining the D-line

For those of you who have been asking for a story on the defensive line I tried to deliver today.

Here it is, focusing in part on the recent move of De'Shon Matthews from end to tackle, where he ran with the first group during much of Saturday's scrimmage.

Asked why the move was made, DL coach Randy Hart said "he works hard.''

The main concern about Matthews is his size --- he says he weighs 253 pounds. Asked if that's big enough, Hart said "I don't know. We are going to find out.'' But Hart said if it doesn't work, he can move back to end, saying "every rep they take at every position is applicable to other positions, so sometimes it's just trying to get them more reps than where they were playing.''

Matthews said on Saturday that "I felt like I was small. I'm not used to going against three guys. But it's all good. It will come if I just eat more and hit the weights harder. It will all come in the end.''

While the line remains a bit of an uncertainty, and will stay that way until proven against Pac-10 competition, Hart had nothing but good things to say Monday.

"I'm very happy with their efforts,'' he said. "As long as the effort's there they will be okay. ... All of them, their ears are open and they are working their tails off.''

As noted in the story, the starting line at the moment is Darrion Jones and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim at end and Matthews and Cameron Elisara at tackle. Elisara, Jones and Te'o-Nesheim are likely to hold those spots to the opener. But the other tackle position could remain in flux until the fall when the freshmen who could make a big impact up front arrive, such as Craig Noble and Alameda Ta'amu.

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