Football Camp Heats Up Entering Second Week

August 18, 2008

PACE AND HEAT PICKING UP AS SEASON OPENER NEARS

The sun and heat, often the norm at most football preseason practice sessions, made its return to the Bryant University campus where the Bulldog football team conducted the 13th practice of the preseason Monday afternoon.  With temperatures rising throughout the day, the Bulldogs took to the field at 3:15 p.m.  Opening with normal individual and unit stations, and punt coverage reps, one thing was certainly noticeable this afternoon: the level of intensity. 

After a cool evening practice Sunday under the lights, the sounds of pad and helmet hitting echoed through the practice fields, Coach Marty Fine made sure the tempo was up a notch, even through all of the individual drills.

"We're starting to come together but we're a bit knicked up right now," said Fine.  "But we're able to see what some others can do in certain situations and we've had a few bright spots, but we have to get better with each practice and work harder every day."

The Bulldogs continued to work on everything from quarterback hand-offs, blocking by the fullbacks, and an intense blocking drill between the offense and defensive line. 

The last double-session practice will take place Tuesday with media / photo day scheduled for Wednesday morning at Bulldog Stadium. 

OFFENSIVE LINE TAKING SHAPE   

Veteran Ben Lyons anchors the right tackle spot.

A key area to watch this season will be how the offensive line comes together following the graduation of two all-conference standouts in Ralph Squitieri and Barrington Little.  The Bulldogs will have veterans Ben Lyons (Westfield, MA), Jacob Meyers (Brooks, GA), center John Tashjian (Paramus, NJ) and Pete Krafka (Milford, MA) back, but will also welcome several newcomers expected to contribute right away. 

First-year offensive line coach Joel Rodriguez is pleased with the way the group has come together in a little less than two weeks so far.  Rodriguez was a former standout lineman at the University of Miami and played professionally in the N.F.L. While the season-opener is still a week away, the offensive line has added size and strength, looking to open holes for Bryant's speedy tailbacks and provide enough protection for the Bulldog signal caller. 

Tashjian started every game last year at center and is solid up front.  Lyons, at 6-foot-7, 320-pounds, gives the team excellent protection at the right tackle spot. 

Sophomores Brian Kelly (Westwood, MA),  Randall Angel (Emmaus, PA), Jon Lewis (Sayville, NY) and Bryan Brady (Floral Park, NY) are all expected to provide excellent backup along with senior Jordan Levesque (Fall River, MA). 

But so far this , freshmen Robert Edwards (Desmascus, MD), Royce "Bubba" Brunson (Hamden, CT), Robert Molinari (Bluepoint, NY), Jack Barons (Lexington, MA), and Sean Elmore (Billerica, MA) have made some noise.