With just one starter returning, Penn State's defensive line is in need of a realignment, but the coaching staff doesn't seem too concerned.

The coaches believe they can fix the problem by using the same rotation system they have relied on for quite a few years.

"I think there's one guy on the defensive line, [Josh] Gaines, who has played over 150 plays," coach Joe Paterno said. "So we have some guys who are going to have to grow up in a hurry."

Gaines, a redshirt junior left end, is the lone returnee among the front four. There's not a senior listed among the top 10 linemen on the Nittany Lions' preseason depth chart.

Seven players are in their first or second seasons, including three projected sophomore starters -- left tackle Phil Taylor, right tackle Jared Odrick and right end Maurice Evans.

Three redshirt freshmen -- tackles Abe Koroma and Ollie Ogbu and end Aaron Maybin -- and freshman end Eric Latimore are among those vying for playing time.

Redshirt sophomore tackle Chris Baker, who is facing criminal charges for his alleged role in an April 1 altercation at an off-campus apartment, and redshirt junior end Chris Rogers from North Allegheny High School also are in the mix.

"I think that's the thing, just getting the guys in there and getting them experience and getting them to understand what it's going to take to be good in this league," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. "And that's something that requires game experience.

"Hopefully, if we can stay healthy, we can rotate a bunch of guys in there and use our depth."

Gaines started nine of the final 10 games last season at right end. He finished with 25 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.

"I feel as if we're going to have a great defense," Gaines said. "We might have different players now, but we still have the same coaches and the same schemes. I think we will be able to handle ourselves."

Gone are defensive tackles Jay Alford and Ed Johnson and end Tim Shaw. Alford, Johnson and Shaw combined for 20 sacks and 31 tackles for losses.

They also helped free linebackers Dan Connor, Paul Posluszny and Sean Lee to make big plays.

Despite their inexperience, five returning linemen did see some playing time last season.

Taylor, 6 feet 4, 337 pounds, was on the field for 53 plays. Evans had 12 tackles, Baker six and Odrick four, to go along with a sack. Rogers, a transfer from Michigan after the 2004 fall semester, appeared in four games.

"We've got a lot of talent on that defensive line," Gaines said. "We've got guys coming off the bench that can play end or tackle. I think we'll surprise people this year.

"There's going to be a lot of rotation. That's the thing I like about it. You can play as hard as you want. And, if you get tired, you can have somebody come off the bench and spell you until you catch your breath."

Connor has been impressed with Odrick and Evans in workouts and practice.

"Those two guys have proven themselves," Connor said. "They are great players and tough guys who have been hungry to get on the field. When they get their chance to play, they're going to make something happen."

Gaines isn't taking anything for granted. He knows he is going to have to keep playing well to keep his job.

In the meantime, he is being counted on to provide leadership for one of Penn State's biggest areas of concern.

"It's been a big change for me," Gaines said. "I was always the guy listening before. But I've had to step up this year because I'm the oldest guy on the defensive line. I learned from Jay and Ed and now I am just going to try to transfer that knowledge over to the younger guys."