Friday, August 21, 1998
Rainbow fullbacks
having a
block party
They know one of their main jobs
By Paul Arnett
is to pave the way for Charles Tharp
Star-BulletinIf you are looking for Avion Weaver, chances are fellow fullbacks Calvin Mims and Anthony DiIeso aren't far away.
The three fullbacks for the University of Hawaii are as tight as any family. DiIeso hails from New York, Mims is out of Chicago and Wea-ver calls Sa-cramento, Calif., home.
Together, they keep tailback Charles Tharp from taking too many direct hits, and at times get to carry the football or catch a pass just to keep the defense honest.
These days, Weaver has moved to the top of the depth chart. The sophomore wears No. 20 and sets the table for Tharp -- who has 21 stretched across his back -- with head-hunting intensity.
''I know my primary job is to block for Charles,'' Weaver said. ''But what I really like about this offense is you get to run and catch passes, too. You're not one-dimensional. You have to be a versatile back to play back here.''
Weaver took some tentative steps in that direction as a freshman last year, but spent most of the season watching Mims and DiIeso from the sidelines. Mims finished second to Tharp in rushing with 209 yards and one touchdown. He also had the best rushing average on the team at 5.0 per carry.
''Calvin is also an excellent receiver coming out of the backfield,'' UH running backs coach Don Dillon said. Mims finished with 19 catches for 175 yards, including a long of 58 on a middle screen. ''He is also a solid blocker, but doesn't quite have the speed of Avion, who has the ability to turn the corner and get it up field.''
DiIeso might not be up for that, but just watch this guy as a lead blocker downfield. He has an uncanny ability to pick out a key defender in a given coverage and take him out. Tharp gets the media attention, DiIeso, a pat on the butt.
''And that's OK, just as long as we win,'' said DiIeso, who missed several games last year with turf toe. ''This is a team game. If you throw the clearing block, it makes you feel good. I'm looking to take somebody down on every play.''
And this from a guy who was selected in the ninth round of the major league draft by the Atlanta Braves. The 24-year-old, who was born in Amityville, New York, isn't the only horror of the Rainbow backfield.
Tharp and freshman Robert Grant are the top two tailbacks entering the end of two-a-days. Tharp has been slowed somewhat with a muscle pull, giving Grant the much-needed repetitions in practice.
''When we run, our opponents are going to get a heavy dose of Charles,'' Dillon said. ''Robert will see some playing time, but we don't want to rush him. He's still a little bright-eyed.
''What I want people to watch are our fullbacks when we get up the field. These guys are just learning the nuances of this offense. They kind of weave in and out looking for somebody to knock down, and there's Charles right in there behind them, making a cut off their blocks.''
Tharp is still the featured act. He and his fellow running backs hung out together yesterday at the pool. UH head coach Fred vonAppen decided to give the team the afternoon off at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. Tharp made sure everyone stayed cool.
''These guys are like my family,'' Tharp said. ''If we're going to be successful this season, we've got to do it together. There will be times I'm going to be blocking for them. That's playing together.''
And that's the kind of thing UH offensive coordinator Don Lindsey likes to hear.
''We have some guys back there that we feel can get the job done,'' Lindsey said. ''We have to be able to run the ball better and to take care of it better in order to have a chance to win. I see some positive things out there, but we still have a long way to go in order to win some games.''
