Alston is af2 rookie with much to offer

The defensive end made a tackle for loss of 11 yards against Milwaukee.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Michael Alston is No. 1 alphabetically on the Mahoning Valley Thunder roster, but he’s not far from the top on defense, either.

Granted, there are only three down linemen during a game, but Alston has started both games at defensive end and has done well as an af2 rookie out of the University of Toledo.

Alston (6-foot-2, 238 pounds) has three solo tackles and two assists through two games, including a tackle for loss of 11 yards against the Milwaukee Iron a week ago.

The play occurred only minutes after Mahoning Valley pulled within 24-21 early in the third quarter and gave the Thunder possession at Milwaukee’s 5-yard line. On the next play, Jamar Landrom intercepted at the 9 and Mahoning Valley appeared poised to score. However, the Thunder lost the ball on a fumble and the Iron proceeded to win 59-39.

Alston was playing with a defensive front that included noseguard Carlos Spinner and end Frashon McGee until Spinner broke his leg in the Iron game.

Although Wally Sonnie moved in to fill Spinner’s spot, the regular noseguard’s absence put a strain on the unit because Tim Cheatwood was inactive for the game.

After graduation from Toledo in 2007, Alston went through Cleveland Browns OTA’s (Organized Team Activities), but was then released.

The OTA’s are, basically, off-season training programs, such as weight lifting, conditioning, play installation and 7-on-7’s in shorts and helmets.

Alston sat out 2007 and worked out until another opportunity arose.

He got his feet wet in the af2 season opener against Albany.

“It’s new to me, but I’m getting acclimated and I have great coaches teaching me the game and helping me with technique,” he said.

Although Alston’s linemates weigh a heavier 260 (Tim Cheatwood) and 280 (McGee) and Spinner added 315 to the wall, there’s little speed lost.

“We’ve got some pretty good speed on the defensive line and Coach [Brennen] Booth makes sure we use it to our advantage.”

Alston said he was just getting accustomed to Spinner.

“He’s a great athlete, a very big guy and really strong at the nose, but sometimes people go down and you’ve got to be prepared to replace and keep going.”

Alston plays over an opponent’s guard or tight end. He described some of what he’s faced so far.

“They both have pretty good strengths and some weaknesses that we were able to take advantage of,” he said of offensive linemen on the Albany and Milwaukee teams. “Overall, they were both pretty strong with their hands and feet. We just have to go out and study film and see what I did wrong and get better.”

Milwaukee’s Tyre Young was a load for the Thunder as the 6-0, 305 running back had nine rushes for 46 yards and a TD.

“He was a big guy who ran hard and blocked well,” said Alston. “But if we continue to fly to the ball and make plays, then we’ll do pretty good.”

Alston said he learned that everything happens a lot faster in af2.

“Because the field is much smaller, you’ve got to be able to react and know what you’re going to do.”

Despite its problems, coach Mike Hold painted a decent picture of his defensive front.

“In the first game, we had a great pass rush, but last game, we were without a noseguard [Spinner] and without Tim Cheatwood [inactive] and, basically, with Taz [Wallace] who was playing with a [shoulder] stinger, so it was tough on Mike,” said Hold.

“This is a group effort and it takes everyone doing his part to create opportunities. Mike’s doing a good job, learning the game and he’s making a few rookie mistakes, but he’s coming and we like a lot what he brings to the table.”

bassetti@vindy.com