2008 Woodie Awards
Edsall Feels Need For Speed
Football
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports
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After watching the quarterback Pat White literally run circles around Randy Edsall's normally stout defense, the UConn head coach met with his defensive coaches and decided to make some changes. Scott Lutrus was moved to the inside and former safety Dahna Deleston was inserted into Lutrus' old position of "Husky" linebacker. The coaching staff re-configured its defense with one thought in mind - speed.
"[Speed] is critical," said defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. "You guys know what our league is about. We're playing running quarterbacks, we're playing guys who are chuckin' and duckin', and running the ball with a perimeter run game. You just have to be fast nowadays."
Just over two weeks into spring practice, the linebackers are becoming more comfortable in their new positions everyday.
Deleston, who finished fourth on the team with 103 tackles last season, said he has come a long way since his first day at Husky, and is working overtime to master the position.
"I'm meeting with the coaches, my position coach, and when I'm not doing academics I'll come down here and watch film of our last practice," Deleston said. "I understand the scheme of our defense I just need to get the reps and learn it full speed."
Orlando has been pleased with Deleston's progression through spring, and is eager to see how his speed and nose for the ball will translate come fall.
"He's been good," Orlando said. "We've [moved him] for a reason, and he brings so much athleticism to the position, and it's just like anything else, it's just repetition."
Deleston has only been practicing as the 'Husky' linebacker since the beginning of spring practice on March 18, so there are moments when the lack of repetition has hurt him. For instance, Deleston noted that there are times where he and Lutrus struggle to figure out who should be where on a particular play.
"You get into situations where you want to communicate something but you don't really know what's going on because you don't fully understand the play," Deleston said.
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