THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605300179
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 62 lines
ODELL JOYNER PACED the sidelines as he waited his turn at the 15-yard shuttle run.
The first event of a day-long session of athletic testing was, Joyner hoped, going to be a new beginning.
Once coveted as one of the top high school linebackers/safeties in the country, Joyner wanted another shot.
The Hampton Roads Sharks held the key and he had every intention of opening the door with it.
Joyner, a 25-year-old 1990 First Colonial High graduate, earned high school All-American status his senior season and went on to Hampton University. After getting red-shirted, he admitted losing interest.
``Then I started hanging around the wrong crowd and I got in trouble,'' said Joyner.
Joyner now works for Sturdy Construction in Chesapeake and as a part-time bouncer in the Bait Shack at Norfolk Waterside.
He has grown from a high school playing weight of 235 pounds to 285, but is carrying it well.
Sharks coach Billy O'Brien was impressed.
``I've heard about him,'' he said. ``He looks pretty good. We've got a lot of good-looking talent out here.''
While things possibly could have gone better, Joyner has no bitter feelings.
``And no regrets,'' he said. ``Actually, I'm kind of glad I went through the things I did. Now, when I see trouble coming, I'll know and get away from it.
``I know my chances of this turning out to be anything are very slim, but I don't want to look back several years from now and wonder. If I can make something out of this and get a shot with somebody - even a mini camp or tryout - I'll be satisfied.''
For now, the Sharks are glad to have him.
The team is well into practice sessions for a season that begins with an Aug. 3 Black and Blue scrimmage. The Sharks will have an exhibition on Aug. 10 and the Mason-Dixon Football League season begins Aug. 17 at home against the Washington Panthers.
First-year coach O'Brien has reason to believe his team will again battle for the league title.
``Everything we do in practice is what we'll do in a game,'' he said. ``If we run a pass pattern, there will be a defensive back covering. Quarterbacks will throw to receivers running patterns through coverage.
``I want them to be familiar with everything we're going to do. Everything will be simple.''
The Sharks had nearly 100 athletes at the first NFL-style combine. Many were players from last year's squad and some came from the Peninsula Poseidons - a team purchased during the off-season by Sharks owner T.J. Morgan.
Others - like Joyner - were totally new to the scene.
``I'm excited,'' Joyner said. ``These folks seem to know what they're doing. So far, I'm very impressed.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LEE TOLLIVER
Odell Joyner, a 25-year-old 1990 First Colonial High graduate, is
trying out for the Hampton Roads Sharks. by CNB