Tuesday--March 11th, 2014

Dan Malone reports on the first day of the Minutemen's Spring practice.

Dan also has an excellent, detailed article on news from the first practice.

There is also a video report from the first practice.

Lots of stuff to talk about from Dan's report. Let's start with some of the personnel changes.

Returning to the UMass fold are:

• DL Al Leneus
• DL Leo Krizanovic
• LB Vondell Langston
• WR Marken Michel
• WR Iric Harris
• LB Mike McKenna

Also new are five early enrollees:

• DL Da'Sean Downey
• OL Anthony Fernandez
• TE Jordan Fiske
• QB Andrew Verboys
• WR Jalen Williams

If you don't remember, Whipple's offense is a Pro-set "heavy" meaning it uses a fullback. Dan reports that Daquan Mack (6-1 255) was working at the fullback position in the practice. Fullbacks in Whipple's offense rarely ran with the ball, but frequently caught the ball out of the backfield.

Also it looks like UMass' traditional colors have made a comeback.

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Former UMass offensive line coach Dave Johnson helped the Ohio Bobcats break in their new indoor practice center.

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Football Scoop reports Chris Malone, a former UMass coach under Mark Whipple has been hired at Tennessee- Chattanooga. Malone's bio here.

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Sports Illustrated looks at what it would take for one of the teams from the mid-major programs to make the four-game NCAA playoffs.

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How good an athlete is Victor Cruz? Watch this video.

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James Ihedigbo is listed in this review of  top AFC North free agents.

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