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Rams trying new positions

• A pair of Albany State players have moved to new positions this season.

Scott Chancey

ALBANY — Albany State's Joshua Chapple switched from wide receiver to cornerback, and Jonathan Vital moved from defensive end to offensive lineman.

"I like to call it an even swap," Rams head coach Mike White said.

It's a move that not only benefits the Rams' schemes, it also benefits the players who were reserves at their positions last year.

This season, so far, they are starters.

Chapple's switch was necessary because the Rams needed a replacement for All-SIAC cornerback Demetrie McCray, and Vital was asked to switch because the Rams had two offensive line vacancies.

All-conference pick Ronald Simmons played out his eligibility, and Matthew Magwood was moved to wide receiver. Vital and Terrance Richard are rotating at Magwood's former position, and junior college transfer Clarence Bailey is playing in Simmons' slot.

Making the transition hasn't been much of a stretch because both Rams played their current positions in high school. At Mays, Chapple made his share of interceptions, including one that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown.

Vital played solely on the offensive line at Bradwell Institute.

"It's been a little bit of a change," said Chapple, who started a game last year and made five catches for 76 total yards. "You have to work on technique more in the secondary, because if you don't have it, the receiver can read you and beat you on the pattern. Backpedaling is real important in those situations."

Vital, who scored a touchdown on defense against Clark Atlanta last season by recovering a fumble in the end zone, already is familiar with the fundamentals of playing on the offensive line. He does, however, think some things will take time to learn.

"The biggest challenge is retaining the plays and being able to translate them to perfection on the field," Vital said.

In Chapple's case, Albany State hopes he can use his past experience as a wide receiver to help defend the pass.

"You can pick up on the little things," said Chapple, who injured his shoulder last season and has had surgery since. "Having played wide receiver, I can recognize when they're tipping off the route they're going to run."

Chapple joins a secondary that already has Marcus Jefferson, Roderick Whipple and Mike Pittman. During the 2005 season, the Rams made 17 interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns. Jefferson made five of those interceptions and led NCAA Division II in passes defended, and Whipple intercepted four passes. Dan Land, who coaches the Rams' secondary, likes what he has seen from Chapple during practice.

"He's an athlete," Land said. "He can do so many things. With his height (6-foot-2), we're looking for a lot of big things from him this year."

Like Chapple, Vital feels making the switch will help him. By knowing what the defensive end does, he can better protect quarterback Terrance Ransom.

"By looking at where they are lining up, I know exactly where they're going," Vital said.

The move may not only be an even swap, such as White said, it may be a perfect one.

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