Published: April 22, 2008 04:46 pm            

Tech squad eyes Sunday spring game

MONTGOMERY — Scott Tinsley has been doing a lot of teaching the past couple of weeks.

Just this past weekend, for example, the new WVU Tech football coach and his staff put their players through their paces as they began to aim toward this Sunday’s spring game. Also over the weekend, Tinsley and his staff welcomed six coaching staffs from beyond West Virginia’s borders (Colorado, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia and two from Ohio) for a clinic.

The new Tech coaches, Tinsley said, were spreading the word on the 3-5 defense, which Tinsley says is gaining in popularity.

“Our 3-5 standup defense is kind of unique,” he said. “It’s catching on.

“The main thrust is that it allows us to use quickness rather than size and strength.”



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Tinsley, hired March 20, says 52 players are out for spring drills for the Golden Bears this year. Included in the turnout is defensive tackle Shane Skeens, a former Nitro player “who knows our system” and can help teach it to fellow players. “We’ll evaluate it after spring ball, and we’re not so stubborn (that if the 3-5 doesn’t work with current personnel) that we won’t change.”

The former Nitro High coach says he’s been “pleasantly surprised” with the way practice has unfolded. “(With the lack of success the past few years) we weren’t sure what we were coming into. The fear was that there were not going to be very many good football players.”

Those worries were unfounded, said the coach.

Tinsley is particularly excited with the play of several defensive returnees. Free safety Kendrell Fuller, outside linebacker Frank Jennings, defensive backs Eric Putmon and Jermaine Jack, and linebacker Ralph Hines have had solid springs.

“Those guys can play,” he said. “Defensively, there’s a nucleus to build around.”

One of the offensive keys will be to have twin linemen Trai and Troy White on the field together at the same time, Tinsley pointed out. A big change this spring was moving Arsenio Hill from slot receiver to tailback, where he’s played well. Also, receivers Patrick Evans and Shedrick LoBrano have both made an impression.

The spring game, a controlled scrimmage which will be free to the public, begins at 2 p.m. Sunday at Martin Field. Thirty-eight potential recruits, including some that have already verbally committed, will be on hand to view the festivities.

Tinsley has verbal commitments from 42 players, although only one has signed on the dotted line so far.

Tech was 1-10 last year.

— E-mail:

skeenan@register-herald.com

        

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