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Show TEE HERALD, Provo. Utili.' Thursday Page 62A . Aust 30, 1984 Linehacking Corps Rates High in WAC KNOELL Herald Sports Writer By DOROTHY Everyone knows about the quarterback BYU, tradition at . but not many have noticed that the Cougars have a similar tradition at linebacker. That is, the Cougars just seem to turn out one great linebacker after another. And this year looks to be no different. So, in the tradition of Todd Shell, Rod Wood, Glen Redd, Tom Enlow, Gary Kama, David Aupiu, Larry Carr, the Coogs will feature Leon White, Kurt Gouveia, Whittingham Cary and Marv Allen. If that isn't enough, add Jim McDade, Ladd Akeo, David Neff and John Becht-hol- d. Then add a lot of lost yardage, quarterback sacks, fumbles and pass interceptions to the totals of BYU s 1984 opponents. "I feel really good about our group this year.-- ' said outside linebacker coach Ken Schmidt. Jim Paronto, inside linebacker coach, added, "We have outstanding talent, size and experience at the inside spots." The consensus, then, is that the Cougar linebackers will be tough. Leading the way outside is White, a on 6-- the 218 pound junior who can "do it LSZbl dLZb d V edlJj Marv Allen Kurt Gouveia has some experience. Those two (White and Gouveia) will be very good." And Schmidt is also pleased with his backups. Akeo, a transfer from where he lettered as a freshman, is a "very to Schmidt. White is in his second year of starting after seeing a lot of playing time as a backup his freshman year. He is listed n on several lists. all," according pre-seaso- "Leon has size, speed, physical" 64, who "can really hit you plus has great speed and quick- quickness, pursuit ability, he can just do it all," Schmidt said. On the other side will be Gouveia, who will replace d NFL draftee Todd Shell. Gouveia, a junior, saw a lot of playing time last year behind Shell and was no slouch then. He looks to be even better this year. "Kurt has excellent feet and good quickness," observed Schmidt. "Plus, he ness." McDade was switched from fullback to linebacker after returning from a mis- first-roun- 6-- 1. sion. 202-pou- "Jim doesn't have much experience, but he has good size, good strength and good feet," Schmidt said. Inside, the Cougars feature two returning starters in the junior Whittingham and senior Allen. Don't Look for Change In San Diego Defense - The big (LTD plan this winter was to tinker with the San Diego Chargers' defense in an attempt to finally put together one of those balanced teams usually seen in the Super SAN DIEGO Bowl. The major shakeups, however, have been on offense. San Diego's starting defense is virtually identical to last year's. San Diego finished in iourth place with a disappointing record. It was the first time in five years the Chargers did not make the playoffs. "We have to prove something to ourselves," said Coach Don Coryell, "and the players have to prove something to us." 6-- Last year's clunker season stemmed from a combination of key injuries and a defense that once again could not keep the lid on the opposition. Recent San Diego teams always have had to g offense to rely on a run up the points by the bushel hoping for one more bushel than the porous defense allows. Several changes were planned but various during the monkey wrenches tossed into the works has left the new defense looking like a clone of the old one. "We'll be better than last year. It's practically the same team brck but they are a year older. I quick-scorin- n during his playing stints. "I think any of the four could be playing just about anywhere in the conference right now," Paronto said. "And with three seniors and a junior in the middle, we've got lots of experience to de- pend on." There are others who are just waiting for their chance, too. the likes of J.C. Steve Sanders, Richard Hobbs, Jay McDonald and Jeff Wadsworth plus incoming freshman Alema and Andy Katoa. "We've got some good young talent at linebacker.'' Paronto noted. "We may one or two of these other guys. We'll make that decision a little later." Von-Coll- n, red-shi- PROVO REAL ESTATE ERA TEAM Extend best wishes for the success of the g, w defensive line and Neil was traded "Marv is what I call a excellent diagnostician. That is. he reads the offensive blocking really well and always seems to be able to get to the ball." Paronto said. "And Cary has outstanding speed for an inside linebacker and has a real nose for the football." The experience factor inside continues right through the backups. Neff saw a lot of backup action last year (he recovered one fumble in the Holiday Bowl) at linebacker and was a mainstay on the special teams. Becht-holwho came to BYU from Ricks Junior College, saw action last year as a backup and is remembered for leveling several opposing players to San Francisco. Linebacker Billy Ray Smith had a rather unspectacular rookie season but he was playing the position for the first time. Coryell remains committed to him. Quarterback Dan Fouts, who missed six games last season due to a rotator cuff injury, appears healthy and ready to go again. He will have the usual group of capable receivers on hand. The Chargers led the AFC in passing and were fifth in scoring. Coryell has pulled the tarp off his air force and has them ready for another campaign. Receivers Wes Chandler, Charlie Joiner and Bobby Duckworth will be on the flight line along with tight ends Kellen Winslow, Pete Holohan and Eric Sievers. BEAT PITTSBURGH" and let's all meet at the HOLIDAY BOWL! The PROVO REAL ESTATE ERA TEAM John Andrews 785-466- 6 Jim Berntsen 225-529- 0 Dan Carly Bryan Dell Cox Cecile Gallenfine Jan Hall Hilton Hanyaoma LeRoy Johnson 756-330- 8 225-933- 7 226-283- 3 756-368- 4 224-276- 0 375-470- 0 Cheryl Leavitt Jim Marrott Brent Nordgren Nifa Park Skip Predmore Glenn Smith Carol Sommer Marja Workman J Leon White THE think they have more confidence in themselves," Coach Don Coryell said. San Diego's top two draft choices are not in the lineup. The No. 1 selection, Texas cornerback Mossy Cade, has yet to sign. Second-rounpick Mike Guen-dlina linebacker from Northwestern, went down with a knee injury during training camp and will be out for the season. Former New York Jets Kenny Neil and Abdul Salaam could not work their way into the starting d Cary Whittingham 4 756-412- 7 377-833- 375-700- 0 225-757- 6 489-797- 3 375-643- 6 225-520- 6 225-590- 7 rt |