Injury bug already hits the Flames

By Chris Lang
Sports writer
Published: August 6, 2008

Liberty football coach Danny Rocco could only shake his head as he ticked off the list of players who missed Monday’s practice at Williams Stadium.

“I’ve never had so many guys hurt in my life,” Rocco said.

In all, 12 players missed practice time, most with nagging muscle pulls and strains. Most were out again Tuesday. Three of the injuries were more serious, though. Pierre Tinsley, who was battling back from a knee injury throughout spring practice, was on the sidelines after suffering a second-degree sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Tinsley, an Amherst graduate and reserve inside linebacker, will be out four to six weeks.

Colin Dugan, LU’s starting nose tackle, suffered a sublexed shoulder and will be out for the next couple of days. Rocco said Dugan will probably have to wear a protective harness for the rest of the season.

Wide receiver Matt Lambros is out for at least four weeks with a broken finger and a pulled hamstring.

“It’s kind of discouraging, especially at the wide receiver position,” Rocco said. “We’re so thin there that it makes it kind of hard to conduct a practice. These guys can only do so much running in a day. We don’t have the depth. You almost have to change what you’re doing.”

Taking shape

The kicking game, which was a major concern after the graduation of punter Zac Kolegue and kicker Noah Greenbaum, is starting to take shape.

Mike Larsson, a freshman walk-on from Monroe, N.C., will likely handle punting duties, and the kicking duties will be split between freshman Matt Bevins and New Mexico State transfer Paul Young.

Larsson is a left-footed, two-step punter who can kick the ball deep. Bevins has “an NFL leg,” Rocco said, and will handle all long-range kicking and will likely handle kickoffs as well.

“We’ve really shored up those positions,” Rocco said. “We’ve at least addressed those needs.”

Playing right away?

Pat Bannon was the only true freshman to play for Liberty last season. Rocco generally likes to redshirt as many freshmen as possible, but if there is a need at a position and a freshman can help the team right away, he’ll get a shot at playing time.

Bevins and defensive tackle Asa Chapman are guaranteed to play this season. Four others will have a chance at immediate playing time, Rocco said.

Linebacker Jamal Giddens, wide receiver Jimmy Eden, and defensive backs Brandon Robinson and Reggie Matthews are four others who will likely compete for time this season.

“They’re kind of in the hunt,” Rocco said. “It’s all about having some depth.”

Extra points

Cornerback Kent Hicks, who was dealing with some academic issues, returned to the practice field Sunday and was working with the first-team defense in practice. … The practice schedule for the rest of the week: Today, 2:20-5 p.m.; Thursday, 9-10:55 a.m. and 3-4:55 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 2:20-5 p.m. All practices are held at Williams Stadium and are open to the public.