Days 1 & 2: Birth of the Ambrose-ism

"This isn't f-ing tennis, this isn't last year! If you don't like it, take off your helmet and walk!"
"You already know how to lose!"
After being asked any question about personnel or strategy: "You'll have to by season tickets to find out"

The upside to hiring a head coach who was an English major: he's very eloquent. There isn't a question in the world you could ask him without getting a grade-A quote. He's a journalist's dream.

The downside is, by the end of the day, his voice is too hoarse to give you a good sound bite.

The night-and-day difference between a Rob Ambrose football camp and a Gordy Combs football camp is the intensity. Everything is louder. The coaches are shouting, the players are shouting, the primary medium of communication on the field has become screaming at the top of your lungs.

The first practice of Rob Ambrose's camp was more intense than the last practice of Gordy Combs'.

Along with the volume is the hustle. Even with the all-day rain over Saturday's practice, every snap was played at full speed. When the starters finished a drill, a whistle blew and the next string was already on the sideline getting the next play from their coaches. One squad's on, and in seconds, the next play is already starting with the next line in.

The overall conditioning of players seems to be average for the first weekend of practice. With the regime change this offseason, and the loss of strength and conditioning coach Terrence Brooks, it COULD be a lot better. But, the intensity of practice seems to compensate for the loss.

"We would rather be out here in helmets than running at 5am," Coach Ambrose said. "These guys are learning to play faster, longer."

The faces are somewhat similar. With the absence of Ambrose's recruits, the roster is still primarily of the Combs era, but every day of the offseason remains an open competition for every spot.

The standout from the opening weekend is defensive end Brady Smith. If defensive coordinator Matt Hachman is smart, he will base his pass rush packages around the 6-2, 285 lb transfer from Boston College. Smith was in the backfield almost every snap and will make an immediate impact on the defense. In 2007, Smith's last season at BC, he registered 29 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.

"Brady Smith will eat my children one day," a team staff member commented after practice.

Overall, the new coaching staff wasted no time in putting their stamp on this program. It's still too early to tell if this team can contend in the stacked CAA, but it's easier now to be optimistic with the changes already seen.