(April 1, 2004) - The 2004 Fordham University football Rams will open their spring practice schedule on Friday, April 2nd under the guidance of new head coach Ed Foley. Foley, who had served as the Offensive Coordinator at Fordham the past five years, replaces Dave Clawson who took the head coaching position at the University of Richmond. The Rams will participate in 15 practices over the next month, culminating with the Spring Game which is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st at 10:30 a.m. on Murphy Field. Foley will welcome over 60 players to the first day of spring practice with hopes of finding replacements for seven offensive and three defensive starters from 2003. The priority for Foley will be to fill the holes left by the graduation of the big three, wide receiver Javarus Dudley, running back Kirwin and quarterback Kevin Eakin. All three were named First Team All-Patriot League last year with Dudley being named a consensus First Team All-American and Watson also earning All-America honors. Jamaal Hunte, who backed up Watson at running back last year, will look to fill the void in the offensive backfield along with fullback Seann Farrell, who has recovered from a shoulder injury suffered last year. The Rams return four receivers who saw action last year in Steve Porco, Erik Conroy, Rashawn Haynes, Aaron Dennis and Donovan Boyd. At tight end, James Cafferello returns after filling in as a starter for the injured Travis Johnson last year, along with Tim Horan. Who will throw the ball to the receivers is a big question. Entering spring practice Derrick Daniels, who missed all of last season with an injury, and Patrick Mitchell, who played for the junior varsity team in 2003, will get a chance to show their skills. The offensive line returns two starters: Jared Amatuzzo at center and Sam Weatherford at tackle, after losing three starters to graduation (Prince Poitier, a First Team All-Patriot League lineman, Kevin Oefelein, a Second Team All-League pick last year, and Ray Cole). Michael Sabatini, who started in place of an injured Weatherford for two games last year, and Michael Bottiglieri, who started two games in place of an injured Oefelein, look to plug the holes in the line along with Zlatko Sator, Ricky Bencivenni and Kevin Strahle. Defensively, the Rams, who suffered numerous injuries to the defense in 2003, should be stronger in 2004 as they return eight starters and seven other players who saw extensive action in 2003. Leading the defensive returnees are Tad Kornegay and Aki Jones, the only two returning defensive players in the league who where named First Team All-Patriot League last fall. On the defensive line, the Rams lost two starters (Colby Khuns, a First Team All-League pick in 2003, and Adam Foley) to graduation but return starting tackles Aki Jones and Ed Gordon as well as Mario Rossi and Jay Edwards who saw plenty of action last year. The linebacking contingent, hit hard by injuries last year, should be back to full strength with the return of Marcus Taylor to the line-up after missing last year with a knee injury. Returning starters at linebacker include NaQuinton Gainous, a Second Team All-Patriot League pick last year, Patrick Orah, and Tyrone Thorne along with Alex Hunter and Josh Jenrette who saw playing time last year due to injuries. Holy Cross transfer Adam Ackerman will also figure into the mix. Kornegay will lead the deep secondary from his cornerback slot along with safeties Greg Whelan and Tommie Stephens. The other corner is up for grabs after the graduation of two-time Second Team All-Patriot League pick Will Davis. Chris Anzano and Reshard Hicks will look to put their experience to use at this position. The placekicking chores will fall on the able foot of Micah Clukey, the 2003 Patriot League Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-League selection. For a complete Spring roster please see ??2004 Spring Roster?? under the ??Files Available for Download?? section on the main football page. 2004 Fordham Football Spring Practice Schedule April 2 ?C Practice 1 ?C 3:30 p.m. April 3 ?C Practice 2 ?C 9:30 a.m. April 6 ?C Practice 3 ?C 3:30 p.m. April 7 ?C Practice 4 ?C 2:30 p.m. April 13 ?C Practice 5 ?C 3:30 p.m. April 14 ?C Practice 6 ?C 2:30 p.m. April 16 ?C Practice 7 ?C 3:30 p.m. April 17 ?C Practice 8 ?C 9:30 a.m. (Scrimmage #1) April 20 ?C Practice 9 ?C 3:30 p.m. April 21 ?C Practice 10 ?C 2:30 p.m. April 23 ?C Practice 11 ?C 3:30 p.m. April 24 ?C Practice 12 ?C 9:30 a.m. (Scrimmage #2) April 27 ?C Practice 13 ?C 3:30 p.m. April 28 ?C Practice 14 ?C 2:30 p.m. May 1 ?C Practice 15 ?C 10:30 a.m. (Spring Game)