/hinds%20eugene%20passcoverage350.JPG)
David Hinds (57) and Malik Eugene (21) rally to the ball during a passing drill at Tuesday's practice. (FAUOwlAccess.com photo)
New look at linebacker
With two starters sitting out Tuesday, linebacker Michael Lockley was back running with the first-team. And it may not be the last time
Originally published on
12/1/2009
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON - With two starters sitting out practice, FAU’s linebacking unit had a different look on Tuesday.
But it might be the look of the future.
With two starters from last week - senior linebacker Edward Bradwell and Yourhighness Morgan – sitting out Tuesday’s practice with injuries, Michael Lockley was back running with the ones at weak-side linebacker, with freshman David Hinds in the middle and Malik Eugne at the strong-side.
While Bradwell and Morgan are expected back by Saturday, Owls linebacker coach Kurt Van Valkenburgh liked the way Lockley, Hinds and Eugene practiced.
“I told the guys we need to get to the point where we play as a linebacking corps and have five or six guys who we can shuffle in and out ,” Van Valkenburgh said. “We are developing the guys so maybe by next spring we’ll have a whole bunch of guys who can play.”
Lockley and Hinds were nearly even in terms of playing time on Saturday at middle linebacker.
“It worked out well where Lockley and Hinds played about even,” Van Valkenburgh said. “That way we can flip guys around. Guys that play about 35 snaps a game are going to be fresher and hit harder than if they have to be in for 70 snaps.”
Heavy heart for Hinds: Hinds played Saturday’s game with a heavy heart after his father died of a stroke on Thanksgiving Day.
“It was kind of difficult, but every time something good happened I felt he was down on the field with me,” said Hinds, a true freshman who made his first start in FAU’s victory vs. Arkansas State three weeks ago.
Hinds got the news that his father, Jon Hinds, had died as he was going home to Miami. Hinds had the option of sitting out FAU’s game vs. Western Kentucky, but decided to play vs. the Hilltoppers.
“I tried to stay strong, ” Hinds said. “The rest of the linebacking corps and my teammates started sending me messages on the computer, text messaging me and calling me to see how I was doing. I had to do it for the guys. I wanted to play.”
FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger was glad Hinds decided to play in the game.
“I will always remember that,” Schnellenberger said. “Maybe playing football helped him and that’s good for all of us. I don’t know if that is considered putting team above self, but it does place a high value on the team.”
PracticeBrowser: A look at Tuesday's practice
Making plays: Defensive backs Erick McIntosh and Tony Rodriguez each had interceptions during team drills.
Stepping up: Brently Harstad, who had an interception vs. WKU, was running with the starting defense opposite Tavious Polo
Instant message: “We got them loosened up and they practiced pretty hard. …They must be starting to feel the season slipping away.”
- FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger on Tuesday’s practice, the third to last practice of the season,
Worth a Re-Tweet: CB Polo is back practicing with1s so his short exile is apparently over