Marshall Spring Practice Journal, Day Two

Day two of spring practice at Marshall University went off without a hitch. Even the fan favorite 'Hoot-n-Holler' drill managed to keep things exciting without getting dicey. The drill is exciting for both fans and players alike, but it has come back to haunt the Herd by causing injuries in the past.

There are still questions to be addressed this spring, but the situations on the offensive line seem to be under control. Sophomore John Bruhin will be stepping into the center position which was vacated by senior Brian Leggett. The Powell, TN, native has the size and the skill (6'5'' 303lbs) to fill the roll and now he has the knowledge too.

“Last year I really wanted to get in there, but I didn't know the offense that well, but I picked it up toward the end of the fall and now I know it really well,” said Bruhin. “This is a big opportunity. I'm ready to step up.”

Another issue that is not up for debate this spring is the fact that the Herd may have the best corps of tight ends in Conference USA, and perhaps one of the best in the nation. Led by senior All-American candidate Cody Slate, the group also includes Lee Smith, Maurice Graham, Jamie Hatten, Robert Henry and Zack Tenuta.

The question is not who will start here, or even who will be second on the depth chart, but the question is who will be the number three guy. The top dog in the hunt right now appears to be redshirt freshman Jamie Hatten, and last year's junior college transfer Maurice Graham.

I do not see Henry being in the hunt, and fully expect to see Tenuta given a redshirt as this is his freshman year. Henry's best bet is attempting to see playing time as a fullback, as the junior's time at Marshall is almost up.

Smith liked the group he is a part of and hinted that Offensive Coordinator John Shannon may have a few tricks up his sleeve this season.

“You can always count on him (Slate)," Smith said. "He's one of the best tight ends in the country. I'm obviously the bigger guy and then Jamie (Hatten) is the mix of both of us.”

“In my opinion, there's nothing we can't do at tight end. We can have three tight ends on the field and no one can possibly know what we're going to do.”

It is not questionable, but there is room for conversation at the running back position this spring. Darius Marshall will be attempting to win the starting job for the third year after coming off a 1,000 yard campaign last season.

Marshall's counter-part Terrell Edwards saw some action last season and is looking to get even more attempts in 2009. The two backs will also be joined in the hunt by redshirt freshmen Martin Ward and Jordan Taylor.

It is expected that Edwards (6'2'' 208lbs) and Taylor (6'1'' 205lbs) will fill more of a power, or third-down back role this season. Meanwhile Marshall (5'10'' 189lbs) and Ward (5'9'' 188lbs) will look to fulfill more of a speed role.

However, Edwards does not like the idea of being type cast into one roll over another for himself and the other running backs.

“Just like last year the running back room is filled with talent, just as it was when Chubb Small was here," said Edwards. “On the field we understand we're competing for a position but we all respect each other as athletes.

“I really don't want to categorize myself, because it's not just necessarily being a power back. There's so much more to it, being a running back, than power and slashing. There's also pass protection.

“I understand classifying running backs, but a running back needs to be an all-around back.”

Ward, who was considered by some to be an SEC caliber running back, also agreed that there was no reason to assign titles to the running backs. He said that Running Backs Coach, Jared Smith was giving them each equal opportunities.

“He's giving us all an opportunity,” Ward said. “It's not that 'Oh, you're the speed back, and we're going to fit you in here.' Everybody gets an opportunity. Everybody gets that chance.”

Thundering Herd players will still have plenty of time to get adjusted to each other and continue to compete for positions. Marshall has 13 of the 15 NCAA allowed practices remaining before the scheduled spring game on April 25.