THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 15, 1995 TAG: 9508150410
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: NSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
``Armed'' and ``Dangerous.''
That's what Norfolk State University's sports information department has dubbed quarterback Aaron Sparrow and split end James Roe for the upcoming season.
Understandable, seeing how the senior tandem may be the most lethal pass-and-catch combination in all of college football and was the primary reason the Spartans finished 7-3 last season.
But as Norfolk State began two-a-day practices in sweltering heat and humidity Monday, head coach Darnell Moore's focus was on a defensive unit that was somewhat toothless and depth-shy a year ago.
Moore addressed those concerns during the recruiting season, bringing in a bevy of linebackers and defensive backs.
He revisited those concerns at Monday's morning workout.
With team members on one knee, Moore told the assembly that the only people with locks on their jobs were those standing, meaning the coaches.
``Last year we felt we had some dogs that wouldn't hunt,'' Moore said of a defensive unit that gave up an average of 31 points. ``We went out and found us some dogs we think can hunt. We think we even found some that bite.''
The Spartans will begin full-contact workouts Thursday and open their season Sept. 2 when they host Virginia State at Foreman Field at 7 p.m.
Among Norfolk State's touted newcomers are linebackers Robert Johnson, brothers Alonzo and Alphonzo Goodwyn, safety Theo Roach and defensive back Sunnil Motley.
Roach, a redshirt freshman transfer from Western Carolina, brings a burst of speed to the secondary while the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Motley brings size and experience.
Motley transferred from the University of Buffalo, which is also the previous stop of first-year defensive coordinator James Garland.
The 6-1, 230-pound Johnson is another transfer, coming from North Carolina A&T. The Goodwyns are true freshmen, but prepped at Fork Union Military Academy after their careers at Sussex Central High.
Starting linebackers Andre Nixon, DeShawn Anderson and Robert Rushing all return, but with no guarantees.
``We'll put the best four linebackers out there,'' Moore said. ``If they fall into that category they'll play. If not, they're going to watch. I think quite a few of them realized (Monday) they'll be competing for jobs.''
With the Spartans' unusually large number of returning starters - 10 on offense, eight on defense - it's even more unusual for so many spots to be up for grabs.
But such is the case when the defense allowed an average of 237 yards rushing and 195 yards passing the previous season.
Among other notable newcomers are a handful of junior college transfers including 6-5, 290-pound defensive lineman Eric Musgrove, 6-3, 300-pound nose guard John Green and 5-9, 192-pound tailback Jerry Davis.
Sparrow's top three receivers - Roe, Darius Blount and Marty Conner - return, as does tight end Ronald Boone, who missed almost all of last season after breaking an elbow in the opening quarter of the opening game.
That group, which paced the Spartans to a lofty average of 322 yards passing per game, hardly missed a beat in Monday's workouts.
Sparrow, last year's CIAA offensive player of the year, completed 216 of 361 attempts last season for a Norfolk State-record 3,212 yards. Roe, a Sporting News Division II preseason All-American, caught 77 passes for 1,454 yards and 17 touchdowns. Blount had 57 receptions for 800 yards last season while Conner caught 38 passes for 466 yards.
``Those guys were together in spring practice,'' Moore said. ``All they should be doing is knocking the rust off.''
If the Spartans' offensive skill players do that without any prodding, Moore will have more of an opportunity in the preseason to work with his new pups and refine their hunting habits.
And if there are no attack dogs in the bunch?
``Then we're in the same old boat we were in last year,'' Moore said. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Norfolk State quarterback Aaron Sparrow completed 216 of 361
attempts last year for a school-record 3,212 yards.
CIAA GLANCE
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB