Thursday, August 9, 2007

FAMU's Delancy likes pushing people around

Photo: Justin Delancy,Junior, Jensen Beach, FL, Martin County HS, 6-2/328

By: Heath A. Smith, Tallahassee Democrat Staff Writer

Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter calls them the unsung heroes of the game.

They never get their named called, but the offense would be nowhere without them.

They are the offensive linemen.

When Carter thinks about what embodies an offensive lineman, he thinks about FAMU senior Justin Delancy.

"Delancy is kind of a silent assassin," Carter said. "He goes out, hits guys and knocks them on the ground. He'll go over and help pick the guy off the ground and then go knock them down again. That's his personality and character. He has a lot of pride in what he does on the football field."

Delancy has been a fixture on FAMU's offensive line since he was a true freshman out of Martin County High School, but has mainly stayed out of the spotlight during his career.

Delancy, a 2007 All-MEAC preseason first-team selection, is expected to be the focal point of a revamped and young offensive line for the Rattlers this season.

Anchored by Lenard Black and Dan Parrish, FAMU's offensive line gave up the second-fewest sacks (17) in the MEAC in 2006.

Black and Parrish have graduated. Senior Richard Koonce, an off-and-on starter at right tackle, quit the team in the spring and junior Steve Brazzle, who started at center last season, is out with a shoulder injury.

That leaves Delancy and redshirt sophomore guard Anthony Collins as the most experienced linemen in preseason camp.

"We've gone through a little bit of a transition on our offensive line," Carter said. "We're looking for players to be able to come in and fill big shoes when you talk about a Dan Parrish along with Lenard Black.

"Having a senior in the group helps to ground that unit. Justin is developing into a leader for that group. He is letting his teammates know what the expectations are in terms of performance from game to game and week to week."

Delancy said he understands the losses from last year's unit will not be easily replaced, but he is confident that the returning players and newcomers will keep the unit from having a drop-off in production this season.

"We are getting better," Delancy said. "We have some aggressive guys on the line. We will be a pounding unit."

Carter said he is counting on Delancy's leadership to form the offensive line into a cohesive unit.

“It is going to be essential to the offense that they are connected and that there is some camaraderie there,” Carter said. “There is some pride that must be built there.”

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