One would think that, in this age of semi-enlightenment and with seven quarterbacks of African-American lineage projected as starters for the NFL season openers, this factoid would not qualify as such a big deal.

Still, it is hard to overlook the fact the Dallas Cowboys will have five black starters on their offensive line, even more difficult to ignore that this is believed to be the first time in NFL history it has occurred. The group is comprised of tackles Flozell Adams and Solomon Page, guards Larry Allen and Kelvin Garmon and rookie center Andre Gurode.

There are seven black offensive linemen -- Roosevelt Brown, Larry Little, Jim Parker, Art Shell, Jackie Slater, Dwight Stephenson and Gene Upshaw -- now enshrined in the Hall of Fame. So perhaps investing too much attention in the Dallas lineup is counterproductive. But given the history of black linemen in the NFL, particularly at the center position, it still seems notable.

After all, it wasn't all that long ago that the NFL's dirty little secret was that many head coaches eschewed African-American blockers.

Sure, everyone paid attention to the dearth of black quarterbacks in the league, but little was ever said about the lack of black linemen. In truth, though, many coaches bought into the narrow-minded belief that black linemen were not bright enough to make the myriad blocking adjustments requisite to an offensive line position. The prejudice was especially prevalent at center, the position where most of the blocking calls initiated, and a spot that called for superior recognition skills.

"If you were a center (in college) who came to the NFL, more often than not, you ended up playing linebacker or something like that," Brown once recalled. "The (prejudice) was just as bad as the one that existed at quarterback."

Certainly, there is no such prejudice now, as evidenced by the number of standout black linemen in the league and the number of starters at center.

Seven of the 10 starters in last year's Pro Bowl game were black. Three of the first-unit blockers on the 2001 All-Pro team as selected by the Associated Press were of African-American descent. The same was true for the All-Pro team chosen by the Professional Football Writers of America. There could be as many as five black starting centers in '02.

"You just don't see the problem anymore," said New England Patriots standout center Damien Woody. "You constantly hear coaches talk about getting the five best players on the field, and I feel that is exactly what they do. Most (coaches) are colorblind now when it comes to that stuff."

In players like Gurode and another second-round selection, LeCharles Bentley of New Orleans, the league is witnessing what might be the beginning of a new age at center, one started by Stephenson and continued by former Pittsburgh star Dermontti Dawson and now Woody. It is likely that Bentley will play at guard as a rookie, but his toughness and athleticism mean he will someday line up at center, just as Gurode is this year.

More teams are seeking athleticism at center -- players who can pull, and get out on the long trap and the screen, just as Dawson did in setting a new center agenda in Pittsburgh -- and Gurode is typical of the kind of prospect who meets those demands. The former University of Colorado star is smart and quick-footed, has tremendous instincts, and is a forceful in-line blocker. He stepped into a starting job the first day of training camp and Dallas coaches figure it won't take long before he is a Pro Bowl fixture.

"To tell you the truth, I've never even thought about (a prejudice toward black centers)," said Gurode, who also played at guard during his career, early in camp.

And that, perhaps, is the best evidence the barrier is gone for good.

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	Jamal Anderson played in only three games last season before suffering a knee injury.