Flames Defense Shines During Evening Practice
4/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Following a day off, the Flames returned to the turf at Williams Stadium for their first of three-straight practices before taking a break to celebrate Easter with family and friends. The two-hour workout spotlighted a strong showing from the defense, countered by a late push from the offense during some goal-line drills.
As part of its continual coverage of this year's spring practice, LibertyFlames.com decided to focus on the blue-clad defenders today, giving its readers some numbers during three different sets of scrimmage sessions.
In his first practice of the spring, defensive back Chris Rocco led all defenders, unofficially recording eight stops, including the first four tackles on running drills. Jamal Giddens followed closely behind Rocco, with approximately five stops.
Wes Cheek provided defensive coordinator and new linebackers coach Tom Clark with several smiles. The linebacker finished the evening with three stops, to go along with five quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery on a botched reverse handoff.
Two quarterback "sacks" were recorded, as James Pezler got behind the line of scrimmage quickly to halt play when he touched Mike Brown on the fourth play of the second set of scrimmage plays. During a set of third-down plays, Asa Chapman scurried around Liberty's offensive line to get to quarterback Spencer Landis.
Below are some unofficial tackling totals from Thursday evening's practice, where the highly spirited scrimmage sessions were played under the watchful eye of officials.
Tackle Totals:
#14 – Chris Rocco – 8 stops
#43 – Jamal Giddens – 5 stops (TFL – 1, QBH – 1)
#20 – Chuck Duffey – 4 stops
#49 – James Pelzer – 4 stops (Sack – 1)
#48 – Pierre Tinsley – 4 stops
#29 – Al Bailey – 3 stops
#35 – Wes Cheek – 3 stops (PB – 2, QBH – 4)
#92 – Trey Jacobs – 3 stops
#33 – Kyle O'Donnell – 3 stops
#95 – Chad Brown – 2 stops
#52 – Cameron Gillespie – 2 stops
#58 – Greg Schuster – 2 stops
#27 – Tim Torrence – 2 stops (TFL – 1, PB – 1)
#98 – Asa Chapman – 1 stop (Sack – 1)
#25 – Darren Jackson – 1 stop
#28 – Kajuan Lee – 1 stop
#31 – Donald Manns – 1 stop (PB – 1)
#6 – Reggie Matthews – 1 stop
#21 – Christopher McAlister – 1 stop
#97 – Tim Smith – 1 stop (TFL – 1)
#79 – Soeron Wendland – 1 stop
#59 – Doncel Bolt – 0 stops (QBH – 1)
#45 – Kyle VanDuser – 0 stops (1 INT)
Despite today's defensive reporting focus, Liberty's offense still managed to make its presence known throughout the workout under near-perfect, upper 50s practicing conditions.
On the second play of the middle set of scrimmages, B.J. Hayes took a handoff from Mike Brown and split several defenders on the near side of the football field, creating an opening that would have led to a touchdown if the play was not whistled dead. During a red-zone focus session late during the evening workout, Hayes also caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Landis on the opposite side of the field.
Chris Summers used his height to his advantage later during the practice, as the 6-4 wideout was able to stretch his arms out over two defenders for a nice 20-yard reception over the middle of the field.
The final phase of head coach Danny Rocco's practice plan called for short-yardage and goal-line plays, during which the offense excelled. Liberty's running back found the end zone on four-straight goal-line plays, as Mike Brown, Terron Lawrence, Pat Kelley and Derek Bishop each took turns finding the new red-colored "LIBERTY" end zones.
During the second to last goal-line practice play, Mike Brown rolled out to his right and found Summers open on a darting two-yard reception, that would have put six points up on the scoreboard had the play been made in a live game.
"In reality tonight, I think that both the offense and defense took turns this evening excelling during different sets of drills," said Rocco. "I thought the offense finished up very well on the goal line, and I was especially pleased with the play of our offensive line during those late drills."
"Unfortunately, for the most part, we did not have the focus and intensity that we had on Tuesday evening," continued Rocco. "I definitely thought Tuesday night was the best practice that we've had all spring, and truthfully it was one of the best practices we have had in quite a long time."
"I just told the guys we didn't have the focus tonight," concluded Rocco. "It doesn't matter who you are playing or what sport you are competing in, if you are not at your best you are going to get beat. We probably would have played well enough to lose a close game tonight."
The Flames return to the practice field tomorrow afternoon, as Liberty will work out beginning at 4:15 p.m., on the newly installed turf at Williams Stadium. As part of its coverage of spring football, LibertyFlames.com will bring you an interview with wide receivers coach Charlie Skalaski, who will give some insight into one of Liberty's youngest position groups this year.
As part of its continual coverage of this year's spring practice, LibertyFlames.com decided to focus on the blue-clad defenders today, giving its readers some numbers during three different sets of scrimmage sessions.
In his first practice of the spring, defensive back Chris Rocco led all defenders, unofficially recording eight stops, including the first four tackles on running drills. Jamal Giddens followed closely behind Rocco, with approximately five stops.
Wes Cheek provided defensive coordinator and new linebackers coach Tom Clark with several smiles. The linebacker finished the evening with three stops, to go along with five quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery on a botched reverse handoff.
Two quarterback "sacks" were recorded, as James Pezler got behind the line of scrimmage quickly to halt play when he touched Mike Brown on the fourth play of the second set of scrimmage plays. During a set of third-down plays, Asa Chapman scurried around Liberty's offensive line to get to quarterback Spencer Landis.
Below are some unofficial tackling totals from Thursday evening's practice, where the highly spirited scrimmage sessions were played under the watchful eye of officials.
Tackle Totals:
#14 – Chris Rocco – 8 stops
#43 – Jamal Giddens – 5 stops (TFL – 1, QBH – 1)
#20 – Chuck Duffey – 4 stops
#49 – James Pelzer – 4 stops (Sack – 1)
#48 – Pierre Tinsley – 4 stops
#29 – Al Bailey – 3 stops
#35 – Wes Cheek – 3 stops (PB – 2, QBH – 4)
#92 – Trey Jacobs – 3 stops
#33 – Kyle O'Donnell – 3 stops
#95 – Chad Brown – 2 stops
#52 – Cameron Gillespie – 2 stops
#58 – Greg Schuster – 2 stops
#27 – Tim Torrence – 2 stops (TFL – 1, PB – 1)
#98 – Asa Chapman – 1 stop (Sack – 1)
#25 – Darren Jackson – 1 stop
#28 – Kajuan Lee – 1 stop
#31 – Donald Manns – 1 stop (PB – 1)
#6 – Reggie Matthews – 1 stop
#21 – Christopher McAlister – 1 stop
#97 – Tim Smith – 1 stop (TFL – 1)
#79 – Soeron Wendland – 1 stop
#59 – Doncel Bolt – 0 stops (QBH – 1)
#45 – Kyle VanDuser – 0 stops (1 INT)
Despite today's defensive reporting focus, Liberty's offense still managed to make its presence known throughout the workout under near-perfect, upper 50s practicing conditions.
On the second play of the middle set of scrimmages, B.J. Hayes took a handoff from Mike Brown and split several defenders on the near side of the football field, creating an opening that would have led to a touchdown if the play was not whistled dead. During a red-zone focus session late during the evening workout, Hayes also caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Landis on the opposite side of the field.
Chris Summers used his height to his advantage later during the practice, as the 6-4 wideout was able to stretch his arms out over two defenders for a nice 20-yard reception over the middle of the field.
The final phase of head coach Danny Rocco's practice plan called for short-yardage and goal-line plays, during which the offense excelled. Liberty's running back found the end zone on four-straight goal-line plays, as Mike Brown, Terron Lawrence, Pat Kelley and Derek Bishop each took turns finding the new red-colored "LIBERTY" end zones.
During the second to last goal-line practice play, Mike Brown rolled out to his right and found Summers open on a darting two-yard reception, that would have put six points up on the scoreboard had the play been made in a live game.
"In reality tonight, I think that both the offense and defense took turns this evening excelling during different sets of drills," said Rocco. "I thought the offense finished up very well on the goal line, and I was especially pleased with the play of our offensive line during those late drills."
"Unfortunately, for the most part, we did not have the focus and intensity that we had on Tuesday evening," continued Rocco. "I definitely thought Tuesday night was the best practice that we've had all spring, and truthfully it was one of the best practices we have had in quite a long time."
"I just told the guys we didn't have the focus tonight," concluded Rocco. "It doesn't matter who you are playing or what sport you are competing in, if you are not at your best you are going to get beat. We probably would have played well enough to lose a close game tonight."
The Flames return to the practice field tomorrow afternoon, as Liberty will work out beginning at 4:15 p.m., on the newly installed turf at Williams Stadium. As part of its coverage of spring football, LibertyFlames.com will bring you an interview with wide receivers coach Charlie Skalaski, who will give some insight into one of Liberty's youngest position groups this year.
Thursday, June 18
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 07
Thursday, April 30