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Monday, August 6, 2007

Jayhawks’ fiery Rivera will play, but where?

By Ryan Wood

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Wherever he goes - playing middle linebacker, outside linebacker or just talking to the media - Mike Rivera brings an intensity that makes him seem mad almost all the time.

He's not, but like a few of his peers among Kansas University's linebacker fleet, Rivera seems to play football with a nonstop chip on his shoulder. The question now is, where exactly is he going to play?

Rivera spent most of Sunday's open practice as an outside linebacker, while Joe Mortensen manned the middle, and James Holt was on the opposite side. It could be the most logical fit, after Rivera played middle and Mortensen outside a year ago with mixed results.

But there still are four weeks to go until Kansas and Central Michigan meet on Sept. 1 in the season opener. And, like many positions three practices into preseason camp, nothing is close to decided just yet.

"My role is just wherever I can be to help the team," Rivera said. "Wherever they put me, I'm going to play hard. Wherever they need me, I'm going to get the job done."

Mortensen moved to middle linebacker before spring practices, creating competition between him and his close friend Rivera. The battle culminated at the spring game, with Mortensen holding a slight advantage.

Rivera's size and speed, though, make it hard for KU's coaches simply to make him a backup. Heck, Rivera led the Jayhawks with 90 tackles a year ago.

"We've been jumping him around," KU coach Mark Mangino said. "You can see him inside, outside, you can see him and Joe on the field at the same time. It's different packages that we're utilizing and trying to play to the strengths of our linebackers."

KU football

Rivera worked outside for much of Sunday and exclusively when Mortensen was on the field with him. Mortensen and Rivera are KU's top two linebackers, though Holt, Arist Wright, Jake Schermer and Olaitan Oguntodu all figure prominently in KU's plans.

"We're just rotating around," Rivera said.

They worked well together Sunday. On one play while KU was practicing its two-minute offense, Oguntodu tipped a Kerry Meier pass, and Mortensen ended up making a dazzling interception while falling down, inciting hoots and hollers from the defensive sideline. Even Drew Dudley, a true freshmen who may not figure into KU's 2007 plans, had a sharp pass breakup on an underneath route.

'Hawks practice for first time this season in shoulder-pads

In the third practice in preparation for the upcoming football season, the Jayhawks hit the field in the early morning and used shoulder-pads for the first time this season.

But most eyes from the crowded public practice were on Rivera and his intriguing future.

"I'm learning it real quick," Rivera said. "I'm comfortable either way. I'm liking outside, I like middle - wherever.

"The most important thing," he added, "is making sure everyone knows what they're doing. Once we get that, it's just getting that mental edge, playing hard and making sure we're physical every day and doing it consistently."

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Comments

KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says...

Nice hat, Mangioplasty.

August 6, 2007 at 4:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

DSommersby (anonymous) says...

Memo to Defense:

Just make sure Rivera is always on the field.

I trust you Coach Bill Young.

August 6, 2007 at 9:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Cmill1221 (anonymous) says...

Thats great.... if he has learned to wrap up. he blew alot of stops in the backfield last year for that reason.

August 6, 2007 at 10:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

DSommersby (anonymous) says...

Cmill:

I will give that to you that Rivera and a lot of his fellow defenders need to always "wrap up" when making their tackles. There were a hand full of times when those guys just tried to make big hits and did not make the stop they needed. You can still make a big hit and make it even bigger by always "wrapping up".

We need Rivera on that wall though protecting that defense. He is a playmaker.

August 6, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

leikness (anonymous) says...

Must have borrowed the hat from Heminway.

August 6, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

takes a big hat to cover the Big Guy's head ...

When I was on the road following the team, a lot of opposing fans asked me if I was afraid Coach Mangino would get the program turned around and leave ...

my response was: no, I'm afraid of him having a heart attack on the sidelines and keeling over!

now I'm no skinny Minnie, but I do worry a lot about the Coach's health.

I've got a picture of him and I together, he's got a little on me, but not much!

Yes, we had to use the w-i-d-e angle lens ...

August 6, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CasperCorps (anonymous) says...

I'm pretty excited about this years team. There is no reason we shouldn't win the North.

August 6, 2007 at 2:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

God how great would it be to have an all-San Antonio/KU year: from spring '07 to spring '08, KU could have a hand in a Jacque/R.C. Buford NBA title w/the Spurs, a BXII Championship football game, and a Final Four. Wow. We would OWN that city

August 6, 2007 at 6:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

bmc ...

an All San Antonio year for the Hawks would kick ass!!!

I'll stand by my claim of eating my shorts if Coach Self delivers a national title, hell I'll eat 'em down by the Riverwalk!

August 6, 2007 at 8 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

Save some for me sevenyear-That is, if our football and basketball team, both play down there. Dont forget, there is also the Alamo Bowl on December 29th. I dont know where you need to finish to get that invite though.

August 6, 2007 at 9:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )