Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504060028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
That's just fine with Tech coach Frank Beamer.
As Tech continued its second week of spring drills Tuesday, Beamer was still looking at some scattered pieces, trying to put together his 1995 puzzle.
Finding a new starting quarterback, shoring up the secondary and developing some defensive depth tops Beamer's list of business.
Currently, rising junior Jim Druckenmiller is listed No.1 and rising redshirt sophomore Al Clark No.2 in the battle for the quarterback spot left open by the graduation of Maurice DeShazo.
``Jim has been the backup for two years and his experience shows,'' Beamer said. ``Both are very talented. Both are working hard.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Druckenmiller, DeShazo's caddy the past two years, has exhibited both a strong arm and enough mobility to get out on the option if necessary.
``Druckenmiller is big and strong. ... He kind of reminds me of a guy like Jim Kelley [of the NFL's Buffalo Bills],'' Beamer said. ``He could be a linebacker in college. ``I think he kind of fools you. He's a guy who we can run on the option, and if we want to waggle or bootleg, he can do it.''
Clark is more noted for his option abilities. As for concerns about inexperience, Clark, who recently turned 20, has had a year of prep school and a redshirt season.
Beamer said the offensive scheme, regardless of who's behind center, won't vary significantly.
``Once we're settled [on a starter], we might throw some more in,'' noted Beamer, ``but we plan on keeping our offensive plans intact. Eventually, we we will add a few new wrinkles.''
Elsewhere offensively, Beamer noted the early play of backs Brian Edmonds and Marcus Parker of Salem.
``Edmonds is a lot quicker than in the past,'' Beamer said. ``Parker has showed some very good possibilities. I think he's recovered from knee surgery. He's had a couple of runs that were very noticeable.''
Beamer likes his offensive line, which loses only right guard Damien McMahon.
``We got good athletic ability two-deep there,'' Beamer said. ``It's probably the most athletic [ability] we've had as a group on the offensive line.''
Defensively, Beamer's biggest concern is numbers. While its only significant loss is All-Big East linebacker Ken Brown, a Hokie defense that struggled in the second half of 1994 needs to develop some depth.
``We've got to get our first-teamers better,'' noted Beamer, ``but our real area of emphasis will be to develop some second-team depth.
``Late in the year if a guy gets hurt, we don't want to have to upset two positions to try and solve the problem at one position. That's what happened against Virginia [42-23 loss] when Ken Brown went down, and it hurt us.''
The secondary, where there is an abundance of inexperience , will be key for Tech.
Right now, Beamer said the Hokies were looking at rising juniors Antonio Banks and Larry Green on the corners, with rising junior Torrian Gray at rover and rising senior William Yarborough at free safety.
Beamer noted that he's giving several walk-ons a chance at a secondary job. Three freshmen - Keion Carpenter, Loren Johnson and Tyron Edmond - could figure prominently come August.
``Those three will have shots at starting spots,'' Beamer said. ``Secondary is a position where it's a little easier to come in and play as freshmen, as opposed to say the offensive line, where things happen so quickly so close around you.''
By September, Beamer hopes to have his puzzle complete as the Hokies shoot for a school-record third consecutive bowl bid.
``We're telling all our players that they're going for playing time right now,'' said Beamer, whose club concludes spring practice with the annual Maroon-White game 7 p.m. April 22 at Lane Stadium.
``I like what I've seen so far. The kids are working hard and we've made some good progress. We're trying to find out who's ready to play that opening game against Boston College [Sept. 7 in Blacksburg].''
by CNB