Segment Reviews Tight Ends and Fullbacks Spot

Countdown to Kickoff Central

Coach's Corner Interview with Pete Sundheim

For the second-straight season, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage will feature the Coach's Corner, an in-depth position-by-position breakdown for each of the Flames' player units.

The coaching vignettes will include an article on the position, that position's preseason depth chart and an audio interview with the spotlighted unit's position coach. The 10-part series continues today with a look into Liberty's tight end and fullback position.

Tight Ends
Those looking for a NFL-style tight end like the New York Giants' Jeremy Shockey or the Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez, who put up abundant offensive numbers, need not look at Liberty's tight end position of late.

However, that is not to say the position has gone unappreciated or unneeded. Three-time Big South all-conference tight end Chris Luck graduated last year, catching eight passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. But the bulky 6-5, 250-pound "Y" receiver did help pave the way for many of Jennings and Terrell's runs.

"Tight end is a position that really could have been a concern," commented head coach Danny Rocco. "We lost Chris Luck, Chris Stokes and Richard Thom all to graduation."

In truth, four tight ends graduated last year. However, the Flames' coaching staff had enough forethought to redshirt Corey Rasberry, who is currently in his first year as a graduate student, while completing his final year of athletic eligibility.

"Corey was very willing to redshirt, so he could go to graduate school, play football and man the position," reflected Rocco. "And what a great decision that was for us. Corey is a good football player. He is very equal to the guys we had at that position last year. We certainly aren't taking a step back, as we have some new faces at the position and Corey is the lead guy amongst that group."

Behind Rasberry is Will Quarles, who impressed the coaching staff last year, especially with the effort he gave on special teams. "Will Quarles is a guy who has been in our program for a while and is really starting to look like how a tight end is supposed to. He is big, strong and versatile."

Following Quarles are Tommy Shaver, Ryan Culkin, Dominique Jones and Steven Wilkes. Shaver redshirted last year, while Culkin and Jones joined the program from different routes. Culkin transferred from Virginia Tech, while Jones "transferred" up from the Vines Center after two years with the Flames men's basketball program.

"Tommy is one of those guys at his position you have to call him a giant. I do like what I see in him and he has got a ton of potential," stated Rocco. "We saw just enough in Dominique to give this young man a chance. We liked what we saw in the spring and we look forward to seeing how he develops at the tight end position."

Tight Ends at a Glance
Front Runners
TE - Corey Rasberry (R-Sr., 6-2, 240)
Contenders
Will Quarles (R-Jr., 6-2, 250)
Tommy Shaver (R-Fr., 6-6, 250)
Up-and-Comers
Ryan Culkin (R-So., 6-4, 225)
Dominique Jones (R-Jr., 6-1, 260)
Steven Wilkes (Fr., 6-6, 240)

Fullbacks
Paving the way for Rashad Jennings and Zach Terrell is blue-collar worker Derek Bishop at fullback. Last year, Bishop personally rushed just once for two yards. But more importantly to him was helping Liberty rank No. 16 nationally by rushing for 215.9 yards per game and setting a school record with 32 rushing touchdowns.

"Derek is a stereotypical lead blocker in the I formation," stated Rocco. "He is tough and physical and can catch a pass out of the backfield. He loves to block and he understands what he is getting paid to do and he takes a lot of pride in it."

Behind Bishop will be Joey Sandvig, a fifth-year player who has gained valuable experience during his previous four years with the program. Sandvig will be joined by Mark Malvaso and Nathan Revell on the fullback depth chart.

Fullbacks at a Glance
Front Runners
FB - Derek Bishop (Jr., 5-10, 225)
Contenders
Joey Sandvig (R-Sr., 5-10, 235)
Up-and-Comers
Mark Malvaso (R-Jr., 6-0, 225)
Nathan Revell (R-So., 5-10, 225)

To catch previous installments of the Coach's Corner or to take a look at future position segments, below is a complete Coach's Corner training camp schedule:

Links to Previous Installments
Coach's Corner Preview (Aug. 1)
Coach's Corner No. 1 – Defensive Backs (Aug. 2)
Coach's Corner No. 2 – Offensive Line (Aug. 5)

Schedule of Future Features
Coach's Corner No. 4 – Linebackers (Aug. 10)
Coach's Corner No. 5 – Wide Receivers (Aug. 13)
Coach's Corner No. 6 – Defensive Line (Aug. 18)
Coach's Corner No. 7 – Special Teams (Aug. 20)
Coach's Corner No. 8 – Defensive Coordinator (Aug. 23)
Coach's Corner No. 9 – Running Backs (Aug. 24)
Coach's Corner No. 10 – Quarterbacks (Aug. 26)

Countdown to Kickoff will return to the practice field tomorrow, as the web site will cover both ends of Liberty's second two-a-day practice during this August's training camp. The Flames will take to the turf at Williams Stadium for a two-hour morning practice at 9 a.m., followed by a second two-hour session at 3 p.m. on the grass field adjacent to the Williams Football Operations Center.

The Coach's Corner will return on Sunday, as Countdown to Kickoff runs its fourth installment in the series when the web site sits down to talk with linebackers coach Robert Wimberly.