Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 17, 1990 TAG: 9004170606
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Scott Blanchard Sportswriter
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That would be Eros Sanchez, an erstwhile receiver who had six tackles as a special-teamer last year. He was 6-for-11 passing with 174 yards and two touchdowns in Tech's most recent scrimmage, and he's drawn coach Frank Beamer's praise.
Such is the state of things in Blacksburg with would-be starter Will Furrer still rehabilitating his knee; his replacement, Rodd Wooten, shelved by shoulder surgery; and highly touted Maurice DeShazo wrapping up classwork at Bassett High School.
Assuming DeShazo will be at least a third-stringer, that means No. 4 man Tom Zban is the first-stringer and Sanchez is his backup.
Beamer, ever the optimist, won't call it a wasted spring.
"Everything has a reason, and if [Zban and Sanchez] are to play next fall, they will be more capable than if they hadn't gotten this work this spring," he said.
Beamer does, however, find some humor in the topsy-turvy situation. He wouldn't commit to a fall-practice depth chart at QB.
"With our quarterback position, we need to see who shows up in the fall," he said. "At that point, we'll make a decision who's where."
Furrer is throwing during practice and is reported to be progressing well in his rehabilitation. Wooten, who finished last year as the team's starting quarterback, will be recovering from what team surgeon Dr. Marc Siegel said was a partial tear in his rotator cuff, a group of four muscles that give the shoulder stability during the throwing motion.
"It's an overuse type thing," Siegel said of the injury, which commonly affects baseball pitchers. "The fibers [in the muscles] eventually can fail with overuse, weaken and eventually shred."
Siegel, who also operated on ex-Hokie Cam Young's rotator cuff last week, said the rough edge of the tear in Wooten's shoulder was "shaved" to relieve the pain and irritation. Siegel said he expects Wooten to be in pads in August and said he believes Wooten's throwing won't suffer because of the injury.
\ At the beginning of spring practice, Beamer said he wanted to finish the five-week workout knowing who'd be his starters entering fall practice.
Tech lost starters at eight positions. At one, outside linebacker, Archie Hopkins and Darwin Herdman hardly were subject to challenge. The others were less settled, but Beamer named the following as probable first-teamers based on their spring play:
Greg Lassiter (cornerback); Stephan Holloway (defensive tackle); Bo Campbell (split end); Greg Daniels (tight end); Marc Verniel (offensive tackle); and Phil Bryant (fullback).
At inside linebacker, Wooster Pack probably will fill one spot with either Melendez Byrd, Rusty Pendleton or Brian Williams starting alongside him. Some of the spring first-teamers still may have to fight for their spots. Brad Jones was the top tight end until he cracked ribs during practice, and Tech will welcome offensive linemen Calvert Jones (transfer from Pittsburgh) and Jimmy Bryson and Todd Meade (out with injuries) back next fall.
\ Two local players are among those earning good grades on the field this spring.
Beamer said ex-Magna Vista star Jerome Preston, who had 14 tackles last year as a freshman reserve defensive tackle, is pressing 1989 starter Bryan Campbell for the No. 1 spot. And former Franklin County player Mark Poindexter has emerged as the second-string fullback.
"At times, Mark Poindexter has really looked good, but of course he's inexperienced at that position," said running backs coach Billy Hite.
Poindexter was switched from cornerback to fullback last year, and carried once for a 9-yard gain against Clemson.
\ Beamer is trying to develop enough second-level players so the Hokies won't be devastated if injuries hit. He sees bright futures for outside linebackers P.J. Preston, Robert Davis and Harold Banks, defensive end Bernard Basham, receivers DeWayne Knight and Kevin Bennett, and tight end Marcus McClung.
But he's hoping the Hokies think less and play more in the final week of spring workouts.
"We spent the first three weeks with everyone learning, taking the first correct step," Beamer said last week. "Now, I'd like to see some plays being made."
by CNB