Topic: Gazette: Herd moves Harris to weak-side linebacker

[ZackUSAF82]

By Doug Smock

HUNTINGTON - For two seasons, Tyson Gale and Kellen Harris have duked it out for playing time at middle linebacker. They'll keep battling through spring and summer, but probably not against each other.

Harris has been shifted to the weak-side "Will" spot, filling the considerable shoes of the departed Mario Harvey. At the "Sam" spot on the strong side, George Carpenter ran with the first unit in the latter stages of Friday's practice.

All are seniors, a fact not lost on Chris Rippon, the Thundering Herd's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

"I am very, very fortunate that I have three seniors that are very smart, very intense, that I want to be in our huddle, leading us as we go," Rippon said Friday. "They're very well aware the depth chart is written in sand, and there will be continually be an evaluation on how they're doing.

"But they deserve a chance to be the guys, and let somebody else chase them. If they can beat them out, then that makes us a better team. If they can't, that's good for us, too. It's a win-win."

Harris has started 17 games in his MU career, but Gale started eight of the 12 in 2010. Harris had slightly higher numbers - 68 tackles, five for loss, a half-sack, one pass breakup and four quarterback hurries. Gale had 48 tackles, three for loss, with a pass breakup and a hurry.

Link: http://wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/201104011437