The most important thing an improved line hasto offer is time. Time is yards to the Multiflex,which relies on misdirection and fakes to confusedefenders. With linebackers roaming free in thebackfield last season, plays simply did not havetime to develop.

But if the offensive line is a plus, thedefensive line is a minus--minus four, the numberof starters lost to graduation.

Senior Dehdan Miller (18 tackles, two sacks)and junior Ed Kinney (15 tackles, three sacks),both of whom saw significant time last season, arethe Crimson's strengths at the ends. The insidepositions, however, are wide open.

"We're lacking up front," Restic said. "Weshould be more stable at the ends, but thetackles, guards...that's where we're looking."

Not D-lightful

In fact, Restic is looking at the entiredefense. Besides the lack of established returnerson the line, there are uncertainties in thelinebacking corps and the secondary.

"That is an area which we have to revamp,"Restic said. "We have to find people, and thesearch just delays other things we need to do."

Team captain Brian Ramer is just one of tworeturning starters at linebacker, but he is ablyjoined by senior Joe McClellan and a host of othercandidates. In the secondary, senior Jae Ellis isthe lone returner at cornerback, although ChrisAndre (corner) and Kevin Shanahan (free safety)both have experience at their positions.

But at adjuster (strong safety innon-Resticspeak), potentially the most importantspot on the defense, Restic's cupboard is bare ofreturners--or even major letter-winners.

For a position in need of a dominating athlete(Chris Pillsbury '93 is the prototype here), thelack of players has Restic worried.

"We've moved [sophomore] Kevin Dwan back therefrom linebacker, and may be he can do somethingthere, but it's very unsettled," Restic said.

The defense is simply a question mark. But ifthere is one place a team can afford to haveinexperience, it is on the defense, where fire canoften make up for wisdom.

One way or another, the season will be decidedhere.

The Last Hurrah?

Whether Harvard goes 3-6-1 or 5-5 or 8-2 or0-10, this year is fated to be known as Restic'sLast Year. It will live in the history booksforever, long after this generation of athletespasses from the scene.