2008 Woodie Awards
Football: Spring practices begin for Tigers
Abraham, Daniel
Sports | 4/7/08
The Tigers began spring football practice last Thursday afternoon in preparation for next season.
Head coach Gordy Combs said that the biggest adjustment for the team will be learning and adapting to newly hired defensive coordinator Jeff McDonald, though McDonald is not expected to change the Tigers' defensive scheme.
"We didn't want to re-invent the wheel and start over learning a new defense," Combs said. "Jeff allows us to continue to progress in the 3-4. He has to learn what the players can do within our scheme and the players have to get used to his personality and coaching style."
The team has some rather large holes to fill in their defense as they look to replace all three talented linebackers from a year ago. Several players are in the running for the inside linebacker positions including Alex Butt, Josh Root, Chris Patterson, and Trey Dale. The frontrunner to replace John Webb at outside linebacker is sophomore Donte Blakey who saw limited minutes at the position last season.
"I think our program is no longer in the rebuilding stage when we lose guys," Combs said. "We're now in a position where we can reload. We've got some guys who have logged a lot of minutes over the past few years and we've had some guys waiting in the wings. Now they will all get their chances to show us what they can do."
The only other significant changes the Tigers see is up front on the offensive line, where they struggled a year ago due to injuries. This season they return four of their original five starters from a year ago and will look to move Penn State transfer Antonio Logan El to right guard in place of graduating senior Jeff Tyler. Leon Stevenson will return at left tackle after an injury-shortened season last fall. He will be joined by Jeremy Williams at left guard, Steve Jordan at center, and Dan Bridges at right tackle.
Towson senior quarterback Sean Schafer, who is just 543 yards shy of breaking the all-time passing record at the University, will have several options this spring at receiver including fellow captain Marcus Lee. He will also welcome back 6-foot-9-inch wide out Tommy Breaux and red-shirt freshman Hakeem Moore back into the line-up after missing last season with injuries. Both players are expected to participate this spring.
The Tigers will have 15 practices over the next five weeks, which will culminate in the Annual Spring Football game scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
"It's just like any other spring," Combs said. "You're still evaluating your true freshman class and trying to get everyone prepared for the fall. What we do now is important and will determine how far we go next season."
Head coach Gordy Combs said that the biggest adjustment for the team will be learning and adapting to newly hired defensive coordinator Jeff McDonald, though McDonald is not expected to change the Tigers' defensive scheme.
"We didn't want to re-invent the wheel and start over learning a new defense," Combs said. "Jeff allows us to continue to progress in the 3-4. He has to learn what the players can do within our scheme and the players have to get used to his personality and coaching style."
The team has some rather large holes to fill in their defense as they look to replace all three talented linebackers from a year ago. Several players are in the running for the inside linebacker positions including Alex Butt, Josh Root, Chris Patterson, and Trey Dale. The frontrunner to replace John Webb at outside linebacker is sophomore Donte Blakey who saw limited minutes at the position last season.
"I think our program is no longer in the rebuilding stage when we lose guys," Combs said. "We're now in a position where we can reload. We've got some guys who have logged a lot of minutes over the past few years and we've had some guys waiting in the wings. Now they will all get their chances to show us what they can do."
The only other significant changes the Tigers see is up front on the offensive line, where they struggled a year ago due to injuries. This season they return four of their original five starters from a year ago and will look to move Penn State transfer Antonio Logan El to right guard in place of graduating senior Jeff Tyler. Leon Stevenson will return at left tackle after an injury-shortened season last fall. He will be joined by Jeremy Williams at left guard, Steve Jordan at center, and Dan Bridges at right tackle.
Towson senior quarterback Sean Schafer, who is just 543 yards shy of breaking the all-time passing record at the University, will have several options this spring at receiver including fellow captain Marcus Lee. He will also welcome back 6-foot-9-inch wide out Tommy Breaux and red-shirt freshman Hakeem Moore back into the line-up after missing last season with injuries. Both players are expected to participate this spring.
The Tigers will have 15 practices over the next five weeks, which will culminate in the Annual Spring Football game scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
"It's just like any other spring," Combs said. "You're still evaluating your true freshman class and trying to get everyone prepared for the fall. What we do now is important and will determine how far we go next season."
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