Photo Gallery Bronx, N.Y. – As fall camp comes to a close, we continue our position-by-position breakdown of the 2015 Rams by espying the linebackers.
The lone returning starter on defense is a linebacker as junior
George Dawson is back after having a breakout season in 2014. The good news for Ram fans is that he will be joined by Patriot League preseason defensive player of the year,
Stephen Hodge, who missed all of last year with an injury after being named the 2013 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.
Last year, Dawson started all 14 games in place of the injured Hodge, recording 68 total tackles, 44 solo, including 5.5 for loss. He was sixth on the team in tackles and also had two interceptions, one quarterback hurry, once forced fumble and one blocked kick.
In 2013, Hodge earned All-America honors, finishing the season with a team-high 124 tackles, 94 solo, including 16 tackles for loss, five sacks, five forced fumbles, four quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries and an interception. He led the nation in solo tackles/game (6.7) and led the Patriot League and was eighth in the country with five forced fumbles.
Other returning players with experience include seniors
David Barletta, who recovered from an injury to play in three games last fall;
Andrew Erenberg, who saw action in eight games as a junior after moving to linebacker from running back, recording six total tackles, five solo, including one for loss; and
Nick Zawisha, who appeared in three games as a junior.
Junior
Brett Lambert, who saw action in five games in 2014, and sophomores
Niko Thorpe, who appeared in ten games last year and made eight tackles, and
Vincent Sansone, who played in a pair of games as a rookie, also bring experience to the position.
Newcomers looking to break into the rotation include
Noah Fitzgerald, a First Team Maryland All-State selection in 2014,
Chris Geissler, an All-County selection at Saint Peter's Prep last fall, and
JM Nocket, an All-Conference performer at Archmere Academy in Delaware last fall.
Here are some notes from camp today:
The practice was the final two-a-day and the final practice of the 2015 camp. Tomorrow will be the final scrimmage of camp on Jack Coffey Field at 7:00 p.m.
To celebrate the end of camp, the Fordham coaching staff had an ice cream truck appear at the end of the afternoon practice as a special treat for the Rams.
The day also marked the last weight-in for the Fordham coaches weight loss challenge, who by tight ends coach
Ian Pace who lost over 33 pounds from the beginning of camp, with running backs coach
Shane Fogarty also shedding over 30 pounds to lead their team to the title.
The morning session started with a dance off between the offense and defense but was overshadowed by a special performance from assistant coached
Jon Wholley and
Tim Cary.
The Winning Edge point in the morning was a field goal kicking contest that had to go to extra kicks before
Alejandro Cardenas won it for the defense.
Coach Moorhead's quote of the day:
"You have to earn the right to be a championship football team."
