Robinson heaping praise on Guerra

Steve Guiremand

Monday, April 14, 2003 | 9:40 a.m.

Marco Guerra did score any touchdowns in UNLV's spring game Saturday afternoon at Rebel Park.

He didn't make any highlight-reel blocks or lead the team in tackles. In fact, most of the thousand or so fans in attendance probably noticed him more as he walked off the field following the one-hour scrimmage than when he was on it.

At 6-foot-5 and 343 pounds, it's hard to miss Guerra, a redshirt freshman offensive guard from Fremont High School in Los Angeles.

But no Rebel received a better compliment from coach John Robinson than Guerra.

"He probably is as physically gifted as any freshman offensive lineman I've coached," Robinson told the crowd.

Whoa!

Let's see. During his USC days, Robinson coached Anthony Munoz, perhaps the greatest offensive tackle in NFL history, veteran Pro Bowlers such as Bruce Matthews and Don Mosebar as well as current Atlanta Falcons starter Travis Claridge, to name a few.

Guerra, who sat out last season after having minor knee surgery, is battling JC All-American Joe Critchfield and sophomore Zach Gorham for the starting strong guard spot and likely will be a backup in the fall.

Asked about his comment afterward, Robinson didn't back off.

"He has some gifts that are just outstanding," Robinson said. "He has so much size and he moves so well.

"I don't think he's quite as confident or sees himself at that place yet, but I think there's a chance that in time that he's really going to become something special. He'll play this year. There's no question about that."

Guerra is an inch shorter but about 40 pounds heavier than Munoz was as a freshman at USC.

"Of course, he's Hispanic, so he reminds you of Anthony Munoz," Robinson said. "That was a long time ago but he does some of the same things that remind me of Anthony in that his balance and his quickness for a 350-pound man is all there."

Guerra's reaction to Robinson's comments?

"I don't know," he said. "I just go out there and do what I'm able to do. I'm not real fast in the 40 but I am pretty quick for my size and that's what helps me."

Arciaga has the more impressive arm but completed just 2-of-5 passes for 8 yards in the Saturday's scrimmage. Turner, the son of former Redskins head coach and current Dolphins offensive coordinator Norv Turner, was 3-of-4 for 14 yards.

UNLV quarterbacks coach Vince Alcalde said he'd like to identify a backup by the end of spring practice Friday afternoon.

"We want to give the kids a chance to get out of here and get home for Easter," Robinson said.

UNLV will also practice on Tuesday and Thursday starting at 4:15 p.m.