SCOTT BRYANT/staff
    Running backs? Georgia Southern has a few of them.
    From senior Lamar Lewis to transfer Mike Hamilton to elusive Jayson Foster, the Eagle running game should be an offensive strength by the time Sept. 8 rolls around.
    “You gotta have a good running game,” said coach Chris Hatcher. “Every year we’ve been successful in this offense we’ve always had a guy that could run with the football.”
    Foster and Lewis look to be the frontrunners as guys who will get the majority of the carries for GSU in 2007. Foster, along with Marquice Maynard, with have split titles as runner/wide receiver.
    Lewis divided time with Chris Covington at tailback in 2006, running for 782 yards on 149 carries. Covington, who led the team in rushing, has since moved to safety. Hatcher said he’s looking to tailor his offense in the offseason once he see’s what he likes out of his running backs during the spring.
    “You have certain guys that do certain things better.  You just have to make sure you call the plays to suit their needs,” he said. “The biggest goal coming out of spring is to make sure we know what everyone can do and can’t do, so when we tailor the offense in the offseason, we’ll be ready come fall practice.”
    Hatcher added he’s been impressed with all of his backs, and included the 6-foot-1, 215 pound Hamilton and sophomore Ronnie Wiggins as two examples.
    “We got a lot of competition,” said Lewis. “Anyone of us can do the job — we just got to fight and work hard the whole spring.”
    Hamilton, who transferred to GSU from Oklahoma State after rushing for 1507 yards on 290 carries in two seasons, already has a taste of Hatcher’s spread offense.
    “It’s kind of like what we had at Oklahoma State,” he said. “A lot of passing and a fast-paced offense. We’re just out there competing because right now, there’s no depth chart.”
    Hatcher’s self-titled Hatch Attack doesn’t quite use the fullback as much as a traditional offense. Nonetheless, senior Dusty Reddick is pleased with what he’s seen so far.
      “I like it a lot, man, it’s a great offense,” said the Sylvania, Ga., native. “It’s a lot about speed just like the old triple (option) offense was about speed. You come out here and watch us in practice — everybody’s moving. I like it a lot. I got a chance to tote the rock a couple times in (Saturday’s) scrimmage, and that’s something I’ve never really got to do. It was fun.”

Getting defensive
    Monday’s practice was dominated by the play of the blue shirts, as the rowdy bunch of GSU defenders may have had their best practice yet.
    “The defense was challenged by the whole staff and they came out a lot more enthusiastic, a lot more fire in their eyes — which is good to see,” said Hatcher. “Overall I would have to give today to the defense which will make me sleep a little better tonight.”
    
Fightin’ Eagles
    A common occurrence on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek these days is a scuffle or two between teammates. Monday’s practice was no different, as two linemen went at it near the end of the day. The bout wasn’t impressive.
    “If you’re gonna fight, at least do it right,” a GSU coach yelled. There were no more incidents after that one.

Injury Front
    Last week redshirt-freshman tight end Michael Veal
suffered an ACL injury and will miss the 2007 season. Sophomore
linebacker Harland Bower tore his triceps muscle and could miss up to
six months. Junior defensive lineman Matt Wise suffered a foot injury
and will miss the rest of spring practice.

    Chad Bishop can be reached at (912) 489-9408.