 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Brian Nowicki Linebackers Anthony Jordan and David Thomas were the heart of the Rocket defense in 2005. Jordan led the team with 107 tackles and David Thomas was 3rd with 86 tackles. They also combined for 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. There is no question that they leave a big void at the inside linebacker position. However, there is optimism in Rocket land. Even without Jordan and Thomas, and that is because everyone else at the inside and outside linebacker positions return in 2006.  Senior Mike Alston is one of the reasons for an optimistic approach. The 6-2 and 212 pound outside linebacker is a Lombardi Award candidate in 2006. He had 59 tackles in 2005, with 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks while playing in all 12 games. He also forced and recoved a fumble. He had 3 sacks in the 2005 GMAC Bowl against UTEP. "He's a returning all league player and a Lombardi candidate," said defensive coordinator Tim Rose. He continued, "he's been playing at a very high level this spring."At the other outside linebacker position will most likely be senior Mike Chamberlain, 6-2 and 208 pounds. Chamberlain had 59 tackles, with 6 tackles for loss and 2 sacks in 2005. He only played in 10 games due to injury, but when he played his presence was felt. Coach Rose expects Chamberlain and Alston to be leaders both on and off the field. Junior Greg Hay, 6-2 and 200 pounds, is #2 on the depth chart behind Chamberlain. He started two games last year while Chamberlain was injured, and played in all 12 games. He had 43 tackles with one tackle for loss. He has played very good this spring and returned an interception for a touchdown in the final spring scrimmage. Junior Shaun Fitzgibbons, 6-1 and 224 pounds, is listed #2 behind Mike Alston on the spring depth chart. He had 9 tackles, with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 8 games played in 2005. He will provide some experienced depth to the outside linebacker position in 2006. Junior Brandon Alexander, 6-1 and 215 pounds, also provides experienced depth at outside linebacker. He had 15 tackles in 12 games last season. In 2004 he played in 12 games as a backup safety and had 12 tackles. Junior Marcus Brooks, 5-9 and 197 pounds, is another outside linebacker with some experience. Brooks played junior college ball at Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls, IA. He had 74 tackles as a freshman and 93 tackles as a sophomore. In 2005 he redshirted for the Rockets, but he does have two years of junior college experience and he was a JC Grid Wire honorable mention All-American in 2004 at Ellsworth College. Sophomore David Fatula, 5-9 and 189 pounds, played on special teams last year for Toledo. He had 3 tackles in 7 games. Fatula will most likely play on special teams again this year. He missed a few games last season after suffering an injury, but he is 100% recovered now. Junior Joel Shreve, 5-10 and 211 pounds, is the final outside linebacker on the spring depth chart. If he plays any this fall, he will most likely see very limited action. Junior Steven Morrison, 6-2 and 220 pounds, has moved to inside linebacker this spring. Last year Morrison had 31 tackles, with 4 tackles for loss and 1 sack, in mostly a backup role. He played in all 12 games though and did gain a lot of experience. He is pencilled in as one starter at inside linebacker right now.  Sophomore Keith Forestal, 6-3 and 215 pounds, is currently pencilled in as the starter at the other inside linebacker position. Forestal had 8 tackles in 10 games last season. He did not play a lot, but received enough time to get his feet wet. He has looked pretty good in spring practices.Senior Marques McFarlin, 6-2 and 232 pounds, could overtake Forestal for the starting job. He had 9 tackles in 7 games last season for Toledo. He joined the Rockets in the Spring of 2004, but did not play any that fall. Redshirt freshman Eric Heller, 6-0 and 219 pounds, will also battle it out for a starting position and playing time. Heller had 56 tackles and 1 interception as a senior at Columbus Beechcroft in 2004. Redshirt freshman Beau Brudzinski, 6-1 and 204 pounds, is also listed at inside linebacker. He is a bit small for the position and probably won't see a lot of playing time, but after another year in the program he could be at a much better weight and physical stature in 2007. One more player listed at inside linebacker is senior Ted Rath, 6-0 and 232 pounds. Rath is a walk-on from Dundee high school in Monroe, MI. Coach Rose has mentioned Rath as playing very well this spring and he feels he will provide some good senior leadership. The Rockets have a few incoming recruits that will play linebacker. Derrick Summers, 6-2 and 235 pounds, is the brother of redshirt freshman QB Brandon Summers. Derrick is an inside linebacker from Southfield, MI. He had 102 tackles as a senior and was listed #40 on the Detroit Free Press' Fab 50 list. He has the size and ability to come in and play right away this fall. Joe Underwood is a 6-3 and 240 pound defensive end and linebacker. He could play both positions for Toledo. Toledorockets.com had this quote from Joe, "They will try me at Will linebacker or they'll use me as a blitzing defensive end. They like my speed on the edge." He received offers from Toledo, Miami, Akron, and Bowling Green. Alex Johnson, 6-2 and 230 pounds, is an inside linebacker from North Penn high school in Lansdale, PA. He was 2nd team All-State Class AAAA in Pennsylvania and he was named to the Big 33 All-Star Game. He could find his way on the field this fall. Archie Donald, 6-2 and 223 pounds, is an inside linebacker from Penn Hills high school in Pittsburgh, PA. Scout.com said that he may be the most physical linebacker in the WPIAL, which is known as a hotbed for talent in the state of Pennsylvania. Donald definitely has the physical stature to come in and play right away, even if it is just on special teams. As you can see there is a lot of talent at linebacker, but inside linebacker may be a concern. Moving Steven Morrison to the inside will help, but there is not a lot of size and experience at that position. A couple of the incoming freshman could play this fall. "All of the recruits are physically ready and capable of coming in and helping our football team," said head coach Tom Amstutz. I personally wouldn't be surprised to at least see Derrick Summers and Alex Johnson play some at ILB this fall, and I wouldn't count Archie Donald out of the picture either. Those three kids are coming into the program with a lot of recognition and they will be given the opportunity to show what they can do when they hit the campus this summer. 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