THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 22, 1996 TAG: 9608220560
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 53 lines
Big bodies, little experience. Norfolk State is hoping to turn its young and sizable offensive line into a swift and protective wall before the season-opener against Virginia State on Aug. 31.
Left guard Calvin Williams is the only returning starter from last year's offensive line. After Williams, the experience level hits rock bottom. The other four prospective starters are sophomores.
Cornelius Biagas was injured in last season's opener against Virginia State and missed the rest of the year; Michael Early and Lee Lewis are transfers; and David Fabrizius saw very little playing time. Lack of experience is not a particularly good mix since quarterback Robert Morris played only three games for the Spartans a year ago.
The big shoes to fill are those of All-American tackle Kenneth McDaniel, who was taken in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys in April's NFL draft.
As for the Spartans' potential line - with three players weighing more than 300 pounds - developing consistency is the goal.
``The line is the most important part of any offense,'' head coach Darnell Moore said. ``No one could accomplish anything without an offensive line. (Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan) Marino wouldn't be Marino if he didn't have people in front of him.''
CAMP UPDATE: The Spartans are halfway through their preseason camp and have not scrimmaged yet.
Instead, the defense and offense have worked on third-and-one, third-and-three, two-minute offense and blitz control drills.
``You get fewer people hurt by doing it like that,'' Moore said. ``You want to make sure you're ready before you do it because you're more likely to get someone hurt if . . . they don't know what to do.''
Moore said he plans a scrimmage ``soon.''
On Tuesday, senior linebacker Andre Nixon sustained partially torn ligaments in his left knee and could miss the first two games.
CIAA PICKS: Edd Hayes' Black College Sports magazine rates Norfolk State and four CIAA foes in its top 25 rankings.
Norfolk State is 13th, ahead of Elizabeth City State (18), Winston-Salem State (21) and Livingstone (22). Defending CIAA champion Virginia State, the preseason league favorite, is fifth behind top-ranked Jackson State, South Carolina State, Southern and Florida A&M.
In addition to their CIAA schedule, the Spartans play No. 7 Hampton, No. 9 Delaware State and No. 15 Bethune-Cookman.
North Carolina Central has four players named on the preseason All-American team: offensive lineman Kerry Harbor, kick returner Monte Southerland, linebacker James Grant and defensive back Bobby Crutchfield.
Virginia State has three players on the team: quarterback and Norcom graduate Rodney Granger, wide receiver Tony Lanier and defensive back Telley Priester. Winston-Salem State defensive lineman LaTori Workman, Howard defensive lineman Shawn Hall and running back Tyrone Mayer of Hampton were also named to the team. by CNB