AFA opens football practice with new faces up front

Air Force began construction on a new offensive line Thursday when the Falcons opened spring practice in the winter cold at Falcon Stadium.

The Falcons will have five new starters on the offensive line in 2010, as all five from last season’s squad were seniors. Only sophomore guard A.J. Wallerstein saw significant time as a reserve, but sophomore center Michael Hester said he’s confident in the potential of the returning linemen.

“We’ve got a good group of guys,” Hester said. “We’re lacking the experience, that’s the main thing. But if we put the work in, we know we can be just as good as (last season’s starters) were. We’ve got plenty of talent ourselves. We’ve just got to come to work every day, and I think we’ll get there.”

On Thursday, the five linemen who ran plays with the first-team offense were, from left to right, freshman tackle Jason Kons, junior guard Tyler Schonsheck, Hester, Wallerstein and junior tackle Chase Darden.

But coach Troy Calhoun said those five players were by no means entrenched as starters. And he added he’s looking for more than just a set of five linemen to play on Saturdays in the fall.

“I think really what you want, you want eight,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun is hoping he can establish a rotation that includes two centers, three guard and three tackles – something the Falcons did in 2007.

“I’ve always thought in a perfect world what you’d like to do is if there are 140 snaps between the two tackles, you’d like to have three guys get 45 to 50,” Calhoun said.

Jefferson update

Sophomore quarterback Tim Jefferson, who is recovering from a minor procedure on his right knee, worked with strength and conditioning coach Matt McGettigan during Thursday’s session. Sophomore quarterback Connor Dietz worked with the first-team offense.

Among the other players who worked with McGettigan were freshman receiver Drew Coleman (shoulder) and freshman outside linebacker Alex Means (foot).

Etc.

Receivers coach Mike Thiessen was not at practice. He and his wife, Kristen, are in Ghana doing missionary work, Calhoun said. Thiessen will be back with the team next Friday. … Former Denver Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist, an academy graduate, attended practice.