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Football
Rhode Island Football Spring Practice Roundup - Issue 4
April 9, 2008
The University of Rhode Island football team wrapped up its seventh practice of the spring Wednesday afternoon. The Rams returned to full pads and ran through what is becoming their `normal' routine before ending the day with a live scrimmage known as `Red Zone.' We'll continue to examine the URI defense in today's spring roundup. After previewing the secondary on Monday, today we'll focus on the linebackers. The Rams graduated three starting linebackers from last season - L.T. Brantley (76 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Adrian Owen (42 tackles, 2.5 sacks), and mid-season addition Steve Marrella (32 tackles, three tackles for loss) - and while their departures leave holes for first-year head coach Darren Rizzi and defensive coordinator Joe Trainer to fill, the well isn't completely dry. While senior Jeff Ball (29 tackles) remains the only senior linebacker on the roster, the Rams return a pair of juniors and a trio of sophomores who are all hungry to fill the voids. "Not having experience always hurts you, but the fact that they are all learning on the same curve doesn't hurt them, either," explained first-year linebackers coach Tem Lukabu. "Everyone is on the same page learning a new scheme." Leading a talented group of sophomores is Matt Hansen, who spent his freshman campaign lined up with the secondary. In his first season at URI, Hansen finished second on the team in tackles with 73 (44 solo) and whose adjustment to LB `has gone great,' according to Trainer. Joining Hansen are classmates Daniel O'Connell, who appeared in 10 games and posted 10 tackles (six solo) and one pass breakup, and Joseph Harris, who played in nine games and made 11 tackles (seven solo), including two for loss.
"We have a great group of guys character-wise and they're working hard," said Trainer. "They've done a great job of grasping the new system and there is a lot of competition at the position. There's a good mix of guys who have been through the ringer and some who are on the rise." He added, "The desire to get better and improve has impressed me most. The kids have really bought into what we're doing and recognize the need to change. They're doing a great job of giving it up for us. They're working their tail off and I think there's a burning desire to get this thing off the ground and be part of something special." Junior Scott McKinnie appeared in six games at linebacker last season while classmate John Butler has been moved from quarterback to linebacker this spring. Chris Dellafave - a transfer from LaSalle who has sophomore eligibility - along with Mike Piserchia and Sam Jacobs, are also in the mix. While guys like Butler may not have been recruited to play the position, Trainer said, "The game has dramatically changed in the last 3-5 years. It's almost become basketball on grass in terms of the finesse aspect of it and the way the spread offense has revolutionized the game. You need guys at the second level that can run. If you're choosing between a guy that's between 235 to 240 pounds that can only play tackle-to-tackle, or a guy that's 215-218 pounds that can play sideline-to-sideline, you're going to take the leaner, more athletic kid that can cover more ground because of what the job description is." Both Lukabu and Trainer explained that to be a successful linebacker, you need to possess an equal amount of physical ability and proper technique as well as a solid grasp of the system. "If you're going to be a good player and have a good defense and win, you better have a grasp of the scheme," said Trainer. "You also have to master the technique. They're not mutually exclusive - they're both things we're going to need to grasp and master if we're going to be competitive and accomplish the things we want to accomplish." Lukabu added, "It's 50-50. Looking on the outside in, a lot of people think linebackers run around smash people here and there, but it's a mentally taxing position. It may be more so than the other two spots on defense because you have to be able to play the run and cover the pass. To me, they have to be good mentally and physically, so being a technician and knowing what you're doing are equally important." Amongst the incoming freshman linebackers who helped make URI's recruiting class the 10th best in the nation among FCS schools (according to Rivals.com) are Phil Morman of Creskill High School (N.J.), Matt Sheard of Camden Catholic High School (N.J.), and James Taylor of Westwood High School (N.J.). The Rams will hold their eighth practice of the spring on Friday from 4-6 p.m. and a scrimmage on Saturday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. All fans are invited and encouraged to attend. |
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