Freshman may be fix to tight end problems

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman tight end Brandon Manumaleuna looks for someone to block during last night's football practice. Manumaleuna, who played for the injured Joe Salave'a against WSU, is expected to see more time at tight end.

Although Lucky has been consistent in his blocking, the position has produced only 104 yards of total offense on less than 10 receptions with not a single visit to the end zone.

At this point last season, the Lucky-Metzler duo combined for 27 catches and nearly 400 yards while scoring three touchdowns.

True freshman Brandon Manumaleuna, who has spent time at several spots, may now get a chance to build upon those statistics.

"I think Brandon has done a really nice job since moving over there (tight end)," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "He played both ways in the last game, as everybody knows. He will be there for the rest of the season."

Against Washington State, Manumaleuna filled in for the injured defensive tackle Joe Salave'a and also saw time at tight end.

One reason to get Manumaleuna more playing time is so the quarterbacks become familiar with him. In the failed overtime two-point conversion against WSU, Manumaleuna was wide open as he crossed the back of the end zone, but without a single catch under his belt, it is understandable that quarterback Ortege Jenkins didn't recognize him.

For Manumaleuna, it does not matter which side of the ball he is on.

"I really don't have a preference," he said. "I played a lot of defense last week because of injuries."

Although Manumaleuna expects to block first and receive second when on the offensive line, Tomey has a lot of confidence in the freshman's hands.

"I think Brandon Manumaleuna has really emerged as someone that can play the position," Tomey said. "We moved him up this week (on the depth chart). He has been our most consistent player in practice."

As far as making an impact on offense, Manumaleuna thinks that it is just a matter of getting comfortable with the plays and learning to read defenses.

"Once I start noticing blitzes and once I start picking them up, I will be able to go out for the pass," Manumaleuna said. "I have to learn the defensive schemes."

Until then, Manumaleuna knows what his main job is.

"I would rather block for the quarterback so he doesn't get hit than release for a pass," he said.

Having played in six of the eight games this year, Manumaleuna has seen a significant amount of playing time for a freshman. He has recorded only one tackle and has yet to receive a pass, but it is his play in practice that is catching the coaches' eyes.

"I wasn't sure what to expect (my freshman year)," Manumaleuna said. "I have just gone out and worked hard in practice. We'll see what happens."