PHILADELPHIA - Temple kicked off its eighth spring practice at Edberg Olson Hall on Tuesday.
Running backs coach Tony Lucas was made available to the media as Temple continues to introduce its new coaching staff.
Lucas will lose last year's starting running back Jahad Thomas to the NFL Draft, but he comes into a situation with a lot of depth and experience at the position with running backs Ryquell Armstead, Jager Gardner and David Hood.
Last year at the University of Delaware, as the running backs coach, Lucas had three backs rush for over 600 yards and combined for 20 touchdowns, and he plans to continue to use a running back committee at Temple.
1st Spring Practice Interviews:
Geoff Collins Addresses Media (1)
Geoff Collins Addresses Media (2)
Geoff Collins Addresses Media (3)
Brief view into practice
"Just the nature of the game now, I mean to make it through a 12 game season because were playing beyond the 11 regular season games, you got to have that flexibility," Lucas said. "The wear and tear on the backs from the pounding they'll get over the course of the year, just keep guys fresh for the second half of the year, backs by rotation is the way to go."
Armstead will be the main back, but has faced some injuries over the past two years.
Armstead suffered a nagging knee injury last season after the game against the University of Connecticut that forced him not play against Tulane University.
Gardner also missed some time last year early in the season with an injury, so splitting the carries might be vital to keeping Temple's running back core healthy.
"You definitely have to split carries to stay healthy all season and that's something I plan on doing," Armstead said. "So I don't mind the competition, I don't mind guys getting reps, we're all getting like 20 to 30 plus reps a day anyway so it's good competition."
System adjustment
Each aforementioned running back had experience in then-offensive coordinator Glen Thomas' or Marcus Satterfield's systems, so there has been an adjustment period of getting accustomed to offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude's system.
But, Lucas has been impressed with his group of backs so far throughout three weeks of spring practices.
"I've been thoroughly impressed with their knowledge of the game, their work ethic, and just the way they compete daily in practice," Lucas said.
One of the big changes being installed is more of an up-tempo, no-huddle offense.
Armstead said that he's lost a couple pounds to lighten up and keep up with the tempo.
But one thing you can still expect from the Owls' rushing attack is fullback Nick Sharga on the prowl for linebackers, and anybody else in his path when they're in two-back sets.
"I'm glad I'm not on the other side of any block that he's doing," Lucas said. "He gives everything he's got. He's a great, great team player, selfless and you know what he's put on tape is legendary."
With Thomas gone, he leaves behind the role of catching passes out of the backfield.
Thomas was third on the team last year in receptions with 33, including six receiving touchdowns. He also had 418 receiving yards. The closest running back to Thomas' numbers was Armstead with five catches for 41 yards.
Lucas admitted that his current group of backs should be hitting the jugs machine more after practice, and that the more complete group of running backs they have, the more they can do in this offense.
"I ran about 30 pass plays today," Armstead said. "I'm smoothly transitioning into it, getting my hands better. It's something people didn't see last year, as opposed to Jahad dealing with the pass plays, but it's going well."
Back with coach Patenaude
Lucas joined a new coaching staff when he joined head coach Geoff Collins' staff at Temple, but he reunited with a former colleague and coach.
Lucas coached alongside Patenaude from 2011-12 as the running backs coach at Georgetown University while he was the offensive coordinator. He was also coached by Patenaude when he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Colombia University in 2001.
Temple Football Spring Practice - Photos by Zamani Feelings
"It's been really exciting," Lucas said. "...So to be back with him on multiple levels is something I really looked forward to. It's been a smooth transition coaching this offense before, so just being able to spread it out a little bit and then get into some of the two-back stuff, I'm really excited about what we can do again this year."