BOULDER - Crunch the numbers and this might qualify as the most positive spin on the University of Colorado's severe shortage of offensive linemen: There weren't as many mouths to feed - and we're talking ample mouths linked with ampler appetites.

Shortly after he hired Jeff Grimes to coach CU's offensive line, Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins invited the trench guys over for dinner and to meet their new coach.

Extra places at the table were set for seven, counting Grimes.

CU started spring practice Monday with more trainers than offensive linemen. Not to devalue the support staff, but when Hawkins' second season begins, the Buffs could use a little more beef.

At Brigham Young and elsewhere, spring practice usually found Grimes tutoring up to 16 offensive linemen - "depending on how many you graduated," he said, adding he hasn't coached fewer players than he does now.

Look at it like this: With only a half-dozen minds to mold, the teacher-pupil ratio is ideal, as are the increased number of repetitions for the "CU Six."

"I wouldn't say it hampers us," senior tackle Tyler Polumbus said. "Our goal is to become the toughest group in the Big 12, and there's no better way to do that than take every single rep in practice.

"I, for one, am glad. If you take every rep, it increases the chance to get better. . . . I think it'll make us tougher."

Polumbus (6-foot-8, 303 pounds) is among three returnees Grimes hopes will form a solid nucleus until reinforcements arrive. The other two returnees are guards Edwin Harrison and Daniel Sanders, who could wind up as the starting center.

Filling out - a relative phrase - the line roster are inexperienced scholarship players Devin Head and Wes Palazzi and walk-on Keenan Stevens.

Junior-college transfer (2006) Erick Faatagi could return from knee rehabilitation in the fall, and eight incoming linemen, headed by top recruit Ryan Miller, will be added to the roster.

Until then, CU is making do with what's available, seeking improvement in a highly critical area while avoiding injuries that would be especially devastating.

"I'm not going to sit around and worry when (injuries) might happen," Grimes said. "We've done everything we can with our practice model to try and (prevent injuries) . . . but, hey, it's a game of violent collisions.

"So it's going to happen at some point. I just hope it doesn't get us down to the point where we can't continue to progress."

How did CU become so lean in the line? Attrition dating to the final seasons of the Gary Barnett era, as well as a lack of recruiting at the position, sent the numbers spiraling.

Harrison said the Buffs "are not used to having a lot of numbers. But, like always, we'll keep on rolling. . . . Things change, people have different goals; you've just got to keep rolling. We honestly take it like life: You never know what it's going to bring."

To aid in his transition and the line's development, Grimes has kept intact most of what was introduced by Chris Strausser last season. Harrison said Grimes' approach has been, "It will be easier for (Grimes) to learn what you've been taught than you to learn something completely new. He's making the adjustments, and that's been really helpful."

Grimes' goal mirrors Strausser's: to toughen the Buffs' mind-set.

Said Grimes: "I want guys who are tough, nasty, aggressive, blue collar (who) enjoy showing up and getting bloody, dirty . . . "

Having six is a starting point. Barely.

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466