April 18, 2008
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EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette football team has continued its schedule of alternating outside practices at Fisher Stadium with weightlifting and conditioning sessions in Bourger Varsity Field House in preparation for the spring game on April 26.
"Our kids are in great shape coming off a very good offseason working with [strength and conditioning coach] Brad Potts," head coach Frank Tavani said. "We've become a lot stronger and a lot more explosive."
The staff has seen offseason growth on both sides of the ball and Tavani is particularly happy with the progress senior Jerrell Robinson has made after switching from defense to offensive line.
"He was an all-state O-lineman in high school in New Jersey," Tavani said of Robinson. "We asked him to move over and I think he's having an excellent spring considering that he's playing offense for the first time in three years. He'll contribute to our depth at that position."
Tavani also noted that many defensive players are taking advantage of the opportunity to fill spots left by graduating seniors.
"At the corner spot there is a battle going on to replace Adrian Lawson between Carlos Lowe and freshman Donald Ellis, which is great," Tavani said. "At linebacker, Spencer Brown is stepping up and trying to replace Mark Plumby. And we are seeing great progress out of Eric McGovern at safety."
The Leopards held an intra-squad scrimmage on April 11, where they ran 48 situational plays. The scrimmage allowed coaches to evaluate players' progress all over the field. The team will not have any more live scrimmaging before the spring game.
The spring practices have also given new quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mickey Fein a chance to get comfortable in his new position. Fein came to Lafayette staff in early March from Murray State (Ky.) where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
"Mickey is high energy and very enthusiastic," Tavani said. "I think our quarterbacks and other players on the offense have responded well to him and he is enjoying himself. He is a very good addition to our staff."
Lafayette will hold three more practices before the spring game on April 26 at 11 a.m.
Notes:
* Coaches Joe Dougherty and Phil Hallahan have switched assignments for the 2008 season. Dougherty is now in charge of wide receivers while Hallahan will oversee the running backs. Both have previous experience coaching their new positions.
* Sophomore Will Braswell, who previously ran track at Lafayette, has been practicing with the wide receivers in an attempt to make the 2008 roster. Braswell underwent surgery for problems with his leg and it is unknown when he is expected to return.
