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April 2, 2008

URI spring football: The Rhody Shuffle

University of Rhode Island football coach Darren Rizzi, implementing a new scheme on offense and defense, is moving players like chess pieces as he nears the end of the first week of spring football practice.

"Everything is constant evaluation, every minute of practice. Even after four days we're switching the depth chart around. We're trying to create as much competition as we can," the new head coach said Wednesday.

Rhody fans will be thrilled to learn that Rizzi is installing a wide open attack that will feature a variety of formations, some with five receivers, others with two tight ends. He is looking at three quarterbacks on the current roster: senior Derek Cassidy, the incumbent starter; junior D.J. Stefkowich, a highly regarded high-school QB who has played in spots for the Rams, and Kurt Wicks, a redshirt sophomore. They worked on the short passing game during the first three practices and Wednesday started throwing the ball downfield. He plans to give incoming freshmen Kyle Elliot and Marc Lucarini ample opportunity in training camp because they ran Rizzi's offense in high school in New Jersey.

Rizzi shifted backup QB John Butler, a junior, to linebacker and redshirt-freshman Terry Glenn to cornerback with the comment that Glenn "is going to be outstanding."

Work on the offensive line is interesting because every returning lineman has to learn new blocking techniques based on the new offense. Rizzi wants his linemen to keep their feet, not to cut block as they did under the old scheme.

Rizzi plans a scrimmage on Saturday and hopes his lineup will begin to take shape. The spring game is scheduled for April 26.

Bryant University, preparing for its first season of Division I football, is also practicing. Its spring game will be April 12.

Brown will start spring practice on Friday and conclude with a spring game on April 26 on the new Berylson Family Fields, which will be dedicated at that time.

-- MIKE SZOSTAK

Posted by Mike Szostak  at 5:25 PM to College Sports | Permalink

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