Tribe finally launches Spring practice.

[Tribe4SF]

Delayed almost a week because of coaching changes, W&M took the field yesterday. Follow the Tribe Spring at the link. First feature group is a young, but very promising O-line.

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=25100&ATCLID=209438615

OL Coach Bob Solderitch.

“We have a very promising young group of linemen coming into this fall. You take the good with the bad, as we have a tremendous amount of potential, but we are also inexperienced. We will look good getting off the bus, as we are an athletic unit with good size, but we’ll also need to work really hard this spring and fall to build cohesiveness.”

[Tribe4SF]

Fan attention is focused on the QB position with open competition featuring rSr. Raphael Ortiz, Sophomore Steve Cluley, rFr. Jhalil Mosley, and Jr. Christian Brumbaugh. Ortiz and Mosley were out last Fall after surgeries.

The defense looks to be stellar again. Jr. Luke Rhodes (pictured below at Wednesday's practice) will anchor things from the MLB spot.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/Rhodesspring14_zps4aa84380.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

Linebackers featured today. With returning first team All-CAA players Luke Rhodes and Airek Green this unit looks strong again.

Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach Trevor Andrews (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=205065408&DB_OEM_ID=25100):
“With Luke Rhodes (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=205092283&DB_OEM_ID=25100) and Airek Green (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=205073841&DB_OEM_ID=25100) returning as all-conference level performers, our goal in the spring is going to be on identifying the third starter and in building depth. Overall, I want to see Luke and Airek assume leadership roles and bring the rest of the group along with them. I expect this unit to make an impact this fall.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=25100&ATCLID=209440867

Pictured at practice yesterday is So. LB Marcus Harvey, son of former All-Pro Ken Harvey.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/harveyspring14_zpse81a9ae1.jpg

[Tribal]

If I had arms like Luke Rhodes, I'd wear sleeveless suits at work.

[Tribe4SF]

Deep, and experienced group at Tailback for the Tribe.

Running backs coach DJ Mangas (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=209440386&DB_OEM_ID=25100):
“We have a deep and talented group of players returning at the tailback position. With it being my first year back to the program, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with this many experienced players. I expect there will be a lot of positive competition among the group to push each other, and themselves. When you have a good, competitive, situation, like we do at the moment, everything else takes care of itself.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_OEM_ID=25100&ATCLID= 209447310

Redshirt Freshman Jonathan Dunn in drills last week.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/Dunnspring14_zps30aff7ea.jpg

[WM2001]

What is the likelihood of Dunn starting?

[Tribe4SF]

What is the likelihood of Dunn starting?

He'll get his looks, but this is again a crowded field. Needs to show breakaway ability he's capable of. Our longest run from scrimmage by TB last year was 37 yards. Abdul-Saboor's longest was 17 yds. Only area that disappointed.

[Tribe4SF]

TE/FB group featured here. Working to add depth at TE.

Tight End and Fullbacks Coach Mario Acitelli (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=209440678&DB_OEM_ID=25100): “Overall, I’ve been impressed with the hard work our group has put in to this point in spring. They have handled the transition to a new position coach really well, and I look forward to seeing how far we can progress as a group during the remainder of practice. We have a varied group, in terms of playing experience. At fullback, we have two guys in Darnell [Laws] and Andrew [Weidinger] who have seen a significant amount of game action, but when you look at the tight end position, really only Bo [Revell] has significant game experience.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209448859&DB_OEM_ID=25100

New TE/FB coach Mario Acitelli at work last week.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/acitelli_zps11124a38.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

Today's feature is the Corner Back group led by Jr. Deandre Houston-Carson.

Defensive Backs Coach Tom Clark (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=205408905&DB_OEM_ID=25100)
“We have a skilled group of corners, led by returning all-conference performer and three-year starter, DeAndre Houston Carson. He is the guy with the most playing experience, and we’ll look for him to be a leader of our young group. We have a great deal of competition for the starting spot opposite of DeAndre.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_OEM_ID=25100&ATCLID=209451462

Sophomore Trey Reed the first day of Spring practice.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/reedspring2014_zpscda860e8.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

Today's feature is the Safety positions. Even with the loss of All-American Jerome Couplin this is a deep group.

Safeties Coach Trey Henderson (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=205060800&DB_OEM_ID=25100)
“We are looking to see the safeties develop their overall knowledge as a group and keep everyone on the same page. With the graduation of an All-American caliber player like [free safety] Jerome Couplin III (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=205073789&DB_OEM_ID=25100), we need to develop a leader at the position. Also, with last season’s starting strong safety (Jared Velasquez (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=205092286&DB_OEM_ID=25100)) missing camp due to an injury, we are essentially replacing two starters this spring. With this in mind, the big move to this point has been to move [senior] Ivan Tagoe (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=205073853&DB_OEM_ID=25100) from the nickel to the free safety position.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209452272&DB_OEM_ID=25100

Senior leader of the group Ivan Tagoe at practice last week.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/tagoesprig2014_zps6853aef3.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

Feature on the defensive line. Outstanding group that looks to play as many as ten guys.

Defensive line coach Kevin Lewis (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=209440677&DB_OEM_ID=25100):
“We have a good deal of experience with our first group, but our goal in the spring has been on finding and developing depth. We have a lot of young and talented players who have committed themselves to improving this spring, and we’ve had some outstanding competition in the group. As we wind down the spring, I want to see the progress continue and the gap between the one’s and two’s dwindle.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=25100&ATCLID=209457165

DTs Grey Congo, Jasper Coleman, and Tyler Claytor last week.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/colemanspring14_zps0be48a76.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

Wide receivers up today. Very good depth here.

Wide receivers coach Winston October (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=209440384&DB_OEM_ID=25100):
“I am really pleased with the veterans of our group, and they’ve really helped in making the transition to a new position coach a seamless one. Additionally, they have executed our offense and route concepts at a high level to this point in spring. Our focus has been on creating more yards after the catch. One of the sayings this group is drilled with everyday is “Great plays come from execution of basic plays.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209458764&DB_OEM_ID=25100

All-CAA WR Tre McBride with new WR Coach Winston October behind.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/mcbridespring14_zpse69fc532.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

Fittingly the last installment of Tribe spring profiles is the QB position as it is the only real question mark for the team. Injuries continue to plague the competition.

Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Kevin Rogers (http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&ATCLID=206837760&DB_OEM_ID=25100)
“We have a talented group at the quarterback position. I have been pleased to see the entire group taking steps forward in their individual development. We have been building their football knowledge, and now we have to see the work in the film room translate to more production on the playing field. That being said, we have had multiple setbacks with injuries at the position that have limited us from getting some players much needed reps.”

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_OEM_ID=25100&ATCLID=209461078

Talented RFR Jhalil Mosley missed most of spring, but figures to be in the mix come August.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/mosleyspring14_zps0d5b5543.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

Good article on Ivan Tagoe's move to Free Safety replacing All-American Jerome Couplin. Another Tribe DB likely headed to the league.

“Ivan has a high bar for himself,” Tribe defensive backs coach Tom Clark said. “His goal is to be the best safety in the country. He wants to be a player at the next level. He has the tools, there’s no doubt.”

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/colleges/dp-spt-wm-spring-football-advance-20140411,0,2707692.story

Live HD stream of the Spring Game today available here.

http://www.tribeathletics.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?&&DB_OEM_ID=25100

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r798/Tribe4SF/tagoe4_zps7201649f.jpg