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MARSHALL SPORTS
Defensive rotation plan gives safeties opportunity
Safety C.J. Spillman keeps his eye on the ball as he sprints down the field during Marhsall football practice on Aug. 13 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- Logistics are a large part of Shannon Morrison's preseason football camp routine.
Marshall University's safeties coach is charged with divvying practice reps among at least six real contenders for playing time. C.J. Spillman, Ashton Hall, Aaron Johnson, Omar Brown, John Saunders and Kevin Perry head a deep group that includes promising junior college transfer Brandon Burns.
The Thundering Herd's defensive philosophy is predicated on depth and rotating players in waves. Safety won't be an exception, stressing the importance of establishing reliable first and second team units.
Thus far, all involved are enjoying a fair share.
"When it comes to practice, coach Morrison has done a real good job of rotating us in," Hall said. "Everybody's getting a real good look. Everybody's getting a certain amount of plays, and everybody's getting to see how they're doing in certain situations."
Three-year starter C.J. Spillman is the lone given. The 6-foot, 192-pound senior free safety led Marshall with 131 tackles last season.
"Basically, they're trying to see who's going to compete, who wants to be the guy who wants to be the player who's always getting to the ball," Spillman said. "Who is picking up the defense well and makes those checks?
"I like the progress of our group right now but as we pursue further along through the season, I know our potential is way better than we're showing right now."
Hall's talent isn't questioned, but he's learning a new position. After ranking fourth on the team with 66 tackles in 2007, Hall switched to strong safety for spring practice.
The move appears natural for the physical, 5-10, 193-pound junior.
"I always kind of felt that I was more of a safety since I was in high school," said Hall, who started seven games last year. "And then we were in meetings and the opportunity presented itself and I went for it.
"I love it and coach Morrison has been doing a great job of making me feel right at home. He's a great coach."
Hall's transition admittedly is a gradual progress, but early returns from a knowing peer are favorable.
"I think it's probably the best move for Ashton," Spillman said. "It's getting him in a situation to make plays, where he's not just covering a man.
"I feel moving him to safety gets him into a role where he's part of our defense."
Spillman is well-suited for his role as anchor and leader of the Thundering Herd secondary. Prior to last season, Spillman repeatedly stressed in interviews that his tackling must improve; his 131 stops were 41 more than Marshall's second leading tackler, linebacker Maurice Kitchens.
Entering his final season, Spillman continues to set goals and self-motivate.
"Basically, ball skills are my main (priorities) that I need to work on during camp, focusing on the ball more so when the ball comes my way we can create turnovers," Spillman said.
Along the way, he's coaching up Hall and the half dozen safeties competing for playing time.
"C.J.'s been doing a real good job," Hall said. "Even when I've been struggling sometimes I know C.J.'s got my back.
"He's that guy that gets you out of many binds. I freeze on a play and he'll be right there to help me. He helps a lot when it comes to the leadership role."
Spillman and Hall very much fit the physical mentality of a secondary that includes promising underclassmen cornerbacks D.J. Wingate and T.J. Drakeford. Following their first off day of camp on Sunday, the group and their teammates return to work today with a pair of practices.
"Everybody's physical and that's what I like about our secondary," Hall said. "Nobody's scared to hit. I love that.
"And it's not just the names you named. On down, everybody's loving to hit. So that's been real good, and that's really going to work for us."
