Thursday, April 16, 2009
WMJF-TV: Simon A-H and Daniel Abraham discuss the beginning of spring football
"DA" Daniel Abraham and Simon A-H discuss the beginning of Towson University Spring football practices on WMJF's Towson Sports Weekly.
Offday thoughts: Coaching staff- Head Coach
Taking some time out from discussing the players, it's time to evaluate the coaching staff. I can't name any starters per se, but going down the roster unit by unit will give an idea of how this team will mold.
To start, let's try the head honcho. Rob Ambrose was introduced as the fourth head coach of Towson's program in January of 2009. Since he has been on campus, he has made it clear that this program will and must change for the better.
His point was heard loudly and has been since March 27, when the team took to the practice field for the first time this spring. Most of the campus heard it, as the intensity and volume were turned up higher than ever before. Coaches and players were screaming throughout their drills, and the tempo was the fastest it's ever been for a Towson practice.
Ambrose has started a great deal of new drills and plays in the relatively short time being here, and one of his greatest accomplishments was putting together a staff of assistants and position coaches that buy into his vision of the program's future.
"You better hire a bunch of people that are smarter than you, and listen," was the advice Ambrose received from his father, a long time football coach as well.
Can Ambrose's philosophy translate into wins on the gridiron? It's too early to tell - that's why they play the games. One thing is for certain, things will be different.
To start, let's try the head honcho. Rob Ambrose was introduced as the fourth head coach of Towson's program in January of 2009. Since he has been on campus, he has made it clear that this program will and must change for the better.
His point was heard loudly and has been since March 27, when the team took to the practice field for the first time this spring. Most of the campus heard it, as the intensity and volume were turned up higher than ever before. Coaches and players were screaming throughout their drills, and the tempo was the fastest it's ever been for a Towson practice.
Ambrose has started a great deal of new drills and plays in the relatively short time being here, and one of his greatest accomplishments was putting together a staff of assistants and position coaches that buy into his vision of the program's future.
"You better hire a bunch of people that are smarter than you, and listen," was the advice Ambrose received from his father, a long time football coach as well.
Can Ambrose's philosophy translate into wins on the gridiron? It's too early to tell - that's why they play the games. One thing is for certain, things will be different.
Coach Ambrose meets the campus
There's a little over a week until the annual Black and Gold game that wraps up the spring football season. Head Coach Rob Ambrose took the time this past week to meet and eat with the students of Towson University at various campus locations.
Thursday afternoon, Ambrose, his son Ryan, members of the Athletic Department and Dr. Terri Hall of Student Life were present at Newell dining hall as Towson students shared a meal and football talk with the new head coach. Even Doc, the tiger mascot, made an appearance.
About a dozen students sat with the coach and his 5 year-old son. Various students who passed by would stop to say hi and share a few words. The entire volleyball team came up to introduce themselves. Ambrose was particularly taken by 6 foot 5 middle blocker Susan Gansor. After she introduced herself, Ambrose had to stand up next to her to compare his height and immediately sat down.
The topics of questions ranged from football tailgates to a hopeful rise of in interest regarding the current lack of attendance at games. When a student asked Ambrose how he plans to put fans in the seats of Johnny Unitas Stadium, his response was simple.
"Win," Ambrose said. "Or at least play a hell of a lot harder."
Thursday afternoon, Ambrose, his son Ryan, members of the Athletic Department and Dr. Terri Hall of Student Life were present at Newell dining hall as Towson students shared a meal and football talk with the new head coach. Even Doc, the tiger mascot, made an appearance.
About a dozen students sat with the coach and his 5 year-old son. Various students who passed by would stop to say hi and share a few words. The entire volleyball team came up to introduce themselves. Ambrose was particularly taken by 6 foot 5 middle blocker Susan Gansor. After she introduced herself, Ambrose had to stand up next to her to compare his height and immediately sat down.
The topics of questions ranged from football tailgates to a hopeful rise of in interest regarding the current lack of attendance at games. When a student asked Ambrose how he plans to put fans in the seats of Johnny Unitas Stadium, his response was simple.
"Win," Ambrose said. "Or at least play a hell of a lot harder."
Offday Thoughts: Linebackers
With a beefier defensive line in front of them, the linebacker corp will be freed up to maneuver on the field. This very athletic unit could produce in 2009.
Centered around senior middle linebacker Alex Butt, the linebackers carry less of the load than they did in 2008. Instead of molding the system to fit the personnel, new Defensive Coordinator Matt Hachmann is installing his system into his players.
"I'm not concerned with the past," Hachmann said. "I'm more concerned with what these kids can do from here on out."
Along those lines, Hachmann is planning on moving Donte Blakey to strong side linebacker. This leaves the weak side to up-and-coming linebacker Frank Beltre, who has had a sensational spring, truly earning his spot on the roster.
The weak point in this unit is the lack of depth. Paul Stefanik has been sidelined most of the spring with lingering injuries, but will likely produce later in the spring. Besides Stefanik, there's not much outside of the starters to look forward to.
Simon's starters - Frank Beltre, Alex Butt, Donte Blakely
Centered around senior middle linebacker Alex Butt, the linebackers carry less of the load than they did in 2008. Instead of molding the system to fit the personnel, new Defensive Coordinator Matt Hachmann is installing his system into his players.
"I'm not concerned with the past," Hachmann said. "I'm more concerned with what these kids can do from here on out."
Along those lines, Hachmann is planning on moving Donte Blakey to strong side linebacker. This leaves the weak side to up-and-coming linebacker Frank Beltre, who has had a sensational spring, truly earning his spot on the roster.
The weak point in this unit is the lack of depth. Paul Stefanik has been sidelined most of the spring with lingering injuries, but will likely produce later in the spring. Besides Stefanik, there's not much outside of the starters to look forward to.
Simon's starters - Frank Beltre, Alex Butt, Donte Blakely
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Day 6: Family
April 7
Coach Rob Ambrose is a well-known family man. One of the first reasons he gave for taking the head coaching job was to be with his 8 year-old daughter on birthdays. He hired his younger brother onto his coaching staff. And he reminds his players everyday that they are a family. Every huddle is broken on the word family.
"We're trying to get them to play hard, fast," Defensive Coordinator Matt Hachmann said. "Coach Ambrose does a good job managing the culture around here."
Day 6 of practice once again raised the intensity of the atmosphere. The coaching staff, seeking to eliminate all mental errors, has enforced a stricter discipline procedure for players.
When players were caught walking in between drills, everyman on the field would do up-downs until the coaching staff told them to stop. If any player would commit a procedural.
On the brighter side, the constant yelling seems to finally be heard by the players. Especially seen on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers look to be in mid-season form compared to last spring.
The offense has had the hustle, but as a unit there's still some rough edges that need smoothing. There are a few concerns right now as far as chemistry is concerned.
The first is to solid five quality starters on the offense, establishing one strong unit. This squad has been plagued with injuries the past few years, and has seen several guys get quality start time. For returning offensive line Coach John Donatelli, this presents a good problem. He has an abundance of experience, and has the task of forming a strong front for this offense.
The second is quarterback to receiver chemistry. Sean Schaefer will be hard to replace. There's a great deal of talent to step up to the unit, in Blair Peterson and Brian Potts. Both have great arm strength and good vision. However, with only a few weeks of time to gel with the receivers, there's been some difficulty connecting on certain routs.
During the pride drill Tuesday, every interception thrown was a ball tipped by a receiver. Often because the receivers was not in position to make the catches where the quarterbacks placed them.
The talent is there, and there's more hustle than ever before. All they need is chemistry. To win, they MUST be a family.
"The most important thing is these kids need to learn how to play football and making a winning commitment to one another," Hachmann said.
Coach Rob Ambrose is a well-known family man. One of the first reasons he gave for taking the head coaching job was to be with his 8 year-old daughter on birthdays. He hired his younger brother onto his coaching staff. And he reminds his players everyday that they are a family. Every huddle is broken on the word family.
"We're trying to get them to play hard, fast," Defensive Coordinator Matt Hachmann said. "Coach Ambrose does a good job managing the culture around here."
Day 6 of practice once again raised the intensity of the atmosphere. The coaching staff, seeking to eliminate all mental errors, has enforced a stricter discipline procedure for players.
When players were caught walking in between drills, everyman on the field would do up-downs until the coaching staff told them to stop. If any player would commit a procedural.
On the brighter side, the constant yelling seems to finally be heard by the players. Especially seen on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers look to be in mid-season form compared to last spring.
The offense has had the hustle, but as a unit there's still some rough edges that need smoothing. There are a few concerns right now as far as chemistry is concerned.
The first is to solid five quality starters on the offense, establishing one strong unit. This squad has been plagued with injuries the past few years, and has seen several guys get quality start time. For returning offensive line Coach John Donatelli, this presents a good problem. He has an abundance of experience, and has the task of forming a strong front for this offense.
The second is quarterback to receiver chemistry. Sean Schaefer will be hard to replace. There's a great deal of talent to step up to the unit, in Blair Peterson and Brian Potts. Both have great arm strength and good vision. However, with only a few weeks of time to gel with the receivers, there's been some difficulty connecting on certain routs.
During the pride drill Tuesday, every interception thrown was a ball tipped by a receiver. Often because the receivers was not in position to make the catches where the quarterbacks placed them.
The talent is there, and there's more hustle than ever before. All they need is chemistry. To win, they MUST be a family.
"The most important thing is these kids need to learn how to play football and making a winning commitment to one another," Hachmann said.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Offday thoughts: Wide Receivers
In what has been a rich passing team for quite some time now, Towson's offense can usually be judged on the wide receiver corp. In the time of Sean Schaefer, with Phil Albert at offensive coordinator, 4 and 5 wide receiver sets were quite common.
With the regime change this past offseason,the one unit that doesn't seem to have changed much has been the wide receiver corp. This unit returns 4 of their 5 most productive receivers. Only two of them, Casey Cegles and Tamba Tongu, enters this season as seniors. With so much youth around them, this season could be a breakout season for Tongu and a leadership opportunity for Ceagles
"I've always considered myself a leader," Cegles said. "Now that I realized I'm the oldest one, I knew it was my turn to take over."
The depth and speed in Towson's receiver corp will be their strength. The development of the run game this offseason will help take the pressure off the corp to put up the numbers they have in the past. To be quite frank, they probably won't match those numbers with the loss of Schaefer, and having only one year of chemistry with both Blair Peterson and Brian Potts who are likely to take over at QB.
"Sean is tough to replace, he's one of the best QB's to ever come through the state of Maryland," Ceagles said. "[Peterson and Potts], they're all good. We're not on the same page yet."
The formula is there for a productive air attack, two strong arm QB's competing for the starting job with a corps of WR's who are very hard to out throw. The only question is who will stretch the field on this unit. David Newsom, Hakeem Moore and Cegles are all reliable slots, and all brought down at least 30 receptions last season. The Tigers will likely look to Steve Holmes and Tongu to be deep threats.
Once again, for a unit with a good amount of depth, naming starters now doesn't mean much, but here it is...
Simon's Starters - Casey Cegles, Hakeem Moore, David Newsom, Tamba Tongu.
With the regime change this past offseason,the one unit that doesn't seem to have changed much has been the wide receiver corp. This unit returns 4 of their 5 most productive receivers. Only two of them, Casey Cegles and Tamba Tongu, enters this season as seniors. With so much youth around them, this season could be a breakout season for Tongu and a leadership opportunity for Ceagles
"I've always considered myself a leader," Cegles said. "Now that I realized I'm the oldest one, I knew it was my turn to take over."
The depth and speed in Towson's receiver corp will be their strength. The development of the run game this offseason will help take the pressure off the corp to put up the numbers they have in the past. To be quite frank, they probably won't match those numbers with the loss of Schaefer, and having only one year of chemistry with both Blair Peterson and Brian Potts who are likely to take over at QB.
"Sean is tough to replace, he's one of the best QB's to ever come through the state of Maryland," Ceagles said. "[Peterson and Potts], they're all good. We're not on the same page yet."
The formula is there for a productive air attack, two strong arm QB's competing for the starting job with a corps of WR's who are very hard to out throw. The only question is who will stretch the field on this unit. David Newsom, Hakeem Moore and Cegles are all reliable slots, and all brought down at least 30 receptions last season. The Tigers will likely look to Steve Holmes and Tongu to be deep threats.
Once again, for a unit with a good amount of depth, naming starters now doesn't mean much, but here it is...
Simon's Starters - Casey Cegles, Hakeem Moore, David Newsom, Tamba Tongu.
Day 4: Pride
Sorry to keep you waiting, it was a busy weekend, stay tuned for a lot posts coming up...
Thursday April 2
Day 4 of practice was all about pride. For each player, pride in themselves meant earning their spot on the depth chart. For each coach, pride meant pushing their players to perform at and/or beyond the level expected of them. For the team as a whole, pride means entering the upcoming season prepared to shake off a 3-9 season.
Thursday was the first practice of the year in full pads. This day is often cliched as the day that "separates the men from the boys." For Head Coach Rob Ambrose's perspective, this separates the men from the better men, as the majority of practice was some sort of competition. Besides position drills, a good amount of practice consisted of 7 v 7 drills, offensive line v defensive line drills, etc. Ambrose rotated through drills throughout practice, observing position battles, carrying his clipboard and jotting notes.
"The depth chart is fluid," Ambrose reminded his players continuously.
Day 4 also revealed a new drill in the Rob Ambrose practice arsenal, the Pride Drill. Offense vs defense in a situational scrimmage. The defense was the clear winner for the day. In the offense's first possession they failed to convert on several 3rd and short scenarios.
In the second round of the drill, the offense struck quick and scored a touchdown on their second play from scrimmage. After they got hot, the defense put out the flame and forced fumbles on back-to-back third down scenarios.
Now that full pads are on, things will only get more intense to what has already been an intense spring.
Thursday April 2
Day 4 of practice was all about pride. For each player, pride in themselves meant earning their spot on the depth chart. For each coach, pride meant pushing their players to perform at and/or beyond the level expected of them. For the team as a whole, pride means entering the upcoming season prepared to shake off a 3-9 season.
Thursday was the first practice of the year in full pads. This day is often cliched as the day that "separates the men from the boys." For Head Coach Rob Ambrose's perspective, this separates the men from the better men, as the majority of practice was some sort of competition. Besides position drills, a good amount of practice consisted of 7 v 7 drills, offensive line v defensive line drills, etc. Ambrose rotated through drills throughout practice, observing position battles, carrying his clipboard and jotting notes.
"The depth chart is fluid," Ambrose reminded his players continuously.
Day 4 also revealed a new drill in the Rob Ambrose practice arsenal, the Pride Drill. Offense vs defense in a situational scrimmage. The defense was the clear winner for the day. In the offense's first possession they failed to convert on several 3rd and short scenarios.
In the second round of the drill, the offense struck quick and scored a touchdown on their second play from scrimmage. After they got hot, the defense put out the flame and forced fumbles on back-to-back third down scenarios.
Now that full pads are on, things will only get more intense to what has already been an intense spring.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Offday thoughts: Defensive Line
Now on to the defense. One of the more impressive units in the early days of practice has been the defensive line.
This unit suffered a big loss this offseason when defensive end and redshirt junior Richard Lee was told by doctors his playing days were over after a nagging neck injury was retriggered last season and sidelined him for good. Lee was a physical force in the trenches and unquestioned emotional leader and still paces the sidelines during practice pumping his teammates up.
Two things make this squad improved from last year are experience and depth. On the interior returns Yaky Ibia and Rob Osbourne. The two tackles both played as true freshman, Ibia in 2007, and Osbourne in 2008. Both big men made immediate impacts in their respective freshman years, Osbourne even took a few snaps on the offensive side of the ball as a rumbling fullback.
However, the first few days of camp have seen both players in limited duty, Osbourne has regularly been taking ice on the sidelines.
Defensive line coach Canute Curtis intends on cycling in his defensive tackles as Armen Melikian, Alex Avolio and Marcus Valentine have seen a good amount of time, Valentine has even played a few snaps at end.
"Enter text here. You gotta always have depth on the defensive line," Curtis said. "We do have a lot of guys, a lot of young guys and a lot of guys who have played, but we have to develop some toughness and some depth."
The highlight on the defensive line has been Boston College transfer Brady Smith. The 6-2, 260lbs defensive end has experience at the FBS level and posesses a lot of talent. Even being such a high profile transfer, the coaches don't show him an special favor.
"You coach [Smith] like you coach anybody else," Curtis said. "You coach him even harder, the point is to get him better."
If Smith does get any better than he already is, that spells bad news for opposing QB's in the CAA.
With so much depth and rotation, the starting 4 defensive linemen really don't mean much more than the back ups, but for continuity sake...
Simon's starters: DE- Brady Smith, Marcus Valentine; DT- Rob Osbourne, Armen Melikian
This unit suffered a big loss this offseason when defensive end and redshirt junior Richard Lee was told by doctors his playing days were over after a nagging neck injury was retriggered last season and sidelined him for good. Lee was a physical force in the trenches and unquestioned emotional leader and still paces the sidelines during practice pumping his teammates up.
Two things make this squad improved from last year are experience and depth. On the interior returns Yaky Ibia and Rob Osbourne. The two tackles both played as true freshman, Ibia in 2007, and Osbourne in 2008. Both big men made immediate impacts in their respective freshman years, Osbourne even took a few snaps on the offensive side of the ball as a rumbling fullback.
However, the first few days of camp have seen both players in limited duty, Osbourne has regularly been taking ice on the sidelines.
Defensive line coach Canute Curtis intends on cycling in his defensive tackles as Armen Melikian, Alex Avolio and Marcus Valentine have seen a good amount of time, Valentine has even played a few snaps at end.
"
The highlight on the defensive line has been Boston College transfer Brady Smith. The 6-2, 260lbs defensive end has experience at the FBS level and posesses a lot of talent. Even being such a high profile transfer, the coaches don't show him an special favor.
"You coach [Smith] like you coach anybody else," Curtis said. "You coach him even harder, the point is to get him better."
If Smith does get any better than he already is, that spells bad news for opposing QB's in the CAA.
With so much depth and rotation, the starting 4 defensive linemen really don't mean much more than the back ups, but for continuity sake...
Simon's starters: DE- Brady Smith, Marcus Valentine; DT- Rob Osbourne, Armen Melikian
Day 3: Junction boys
"I don't want my players to be like other students. I want special people," Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant-circa 1960's
"Normal people can not do what you are being asked to do out here," Coach Rob Ambrose-2009
If day 1 of practice brought a new level of intensity to the Towson Football program, day 3 brought reality. Ambrose taught his players the level of intensity where he expects them to perform, and he did not feel it had been met. The way he ran a camp was very reminiscent of a legendary Bear Bryant camp.
Ambrose has raised the bar on his players in every way. Every drill is timed and the team runs on a very strict schedule during practice.
Day 3 was the first practice in shells, shoulder pads and shorts, which meant A LOT more contact. This meant receivers and db's ran at each other faster, and harder. Linebackers and running backs were popping each other every snap. Things got down and dirty in the trenches, as offensive and defensive lines ran one-on-one's most of practice.
These drills were the definition of intensity, especially after a fight broke out Armen Melikian and Tim Farley that turned into a melee between the players of both units. After they got the brawl out of their systems, the coaches yelled to break things up, and everybody got back into their squads as if nothing happened!
After a 2 hour and 40 minute practice from hell, Coach Ambrose ended things the only way you could end the most difficult practice possible: 100-yard sprints. 14 of them at that...running just over 3/4 of a mile at top speed to END the day. While the players breathed heavily and were in obvious pain, they knew what that practice meant.
"We really needed it," wide receiver Casey Ceagles said.
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