(March 27, 2006) ?C After being hired as the new head football coach at Fordham University over three months ago, Tom Masella finally got a look at his new team as the Rams opened their spring practice schedule today on Murphy Field. ??It was a good first day,?? said Masella after practice. ??We are in the process of evaluating what we have and what we need to do to get better. It??s a process that will be ongoing all spring so that we know who will be lining up for us against Monmouth in September.?? The Rams will hold 13 other practices as they work their way to the annual Spring Game which will be held on Saturday, April 29th at noon on Murphy Field. For a complete spring practice schedule please click ??2006 Spring Practice Schedule?? under files available for download on the football home page. With the graduation of eleven starters from last year, Masella has his work cut out for him as he looks to fill the holes. But the good news for the new mentor is that four All-Patriot League selections return for the Rams in running back James Prydatko, linebacker Marcus Taylor, defensive lineman Jay Edwards and placekicker Micah Clukey. Prydatko, Taylor and Edwards, who were all Second Team All-Patriot League selections last year, are all returning fifth-year seniors who will bring experience to the squad. Prydatko rushed for 1,022 yards, second best in the league, becoming just the second Fordham running back on the I-AA level to rush for more than 1,000 yards. Taylor led the Rams and was second in the Patriot League with 120 total tackles last fall while Edwards led the league with eight sacks. Clukey, a First Team All-Patriot League pick in 2005 for the second straight year, gives the Rams a presence on special teams after connecting on seven of his 11 field goal attempts and all 18 of his PATs. Joining Prydatko in the offensive backfield are Jonte Coven, Henry Kirlew and Jason Figura while Craig Stevens, Kenny Jones and Bo Marchand look to lead the rushing attack from the fullback position. The good news for Masella is that the offensive line should be healthier than last year when only three starters saw action in every game. The three starters who return are right tackle Ricky Bencivenni, right guard Justin Sarabaez and left guard Mike Breznicky while Ryan Buzzelli and Joe Welton, who each missed time with injuries last fall, are also back with Mike Andrews, Alex Brown, Peter Jannen and Ian Pace. At wide out, 2005 leading receiver Mike Melvin returns after catching 24 passes for 372 yards and three scores last year. Returning receivers with experience joining Melvin will be Sylvester Clarke, Richard Rayborn, Donovan Boyd and Anthony Myres. Adrian Castro, who stepped in to start at tight end when senior James Caffarello was injured last year, returns as does Ty Hogan, who missed the entire 2005 season with an injury, along with Matthew Graham and Cody Kritzer. Defensively, the linebacking corps returns all three starters in Taylor, Louis Woodland and Josh Jenrette, who was the third leading tackler on the team last year with 64 total tackles. The Rams also return Jeb Bent, Fonzie Culver, Ryan Kleve and Dominique Owens who all gained valuable experience last year. The defensive backfield lost three starters to graduation but return free safety Carl Garritano, the second leading tackler on the squad last fall with 82 stops. Other players returning to the defensive backfield who saw action in 2005 include Kenny Thompson, Sam Orah, Matt Loucks and Bruce Lee. Edwards will lead the defensive line this fall while Eduardo Boza, who started all eleven games last year while recording four sacks, also returns. Cory Terzis, Marques Brown, Chad Brooks, Bu Ogunsanya, Hamilton Durandisse and Dan Scillieri, who all saw extensive playing time last year, will all fight for playing time on the line. The special teams unit will be in the capable hands, or feet, of Clukey. The Rams will need to find a new punter with the graduation of First Team All-Patriot League punter Anthony DiFino. Ben Dato, who handles kickoffs for the Rams, and Adam Danko will compete for the punting position. The Rams open the 2006 season on Saturday, September 2nd as they host Monmouth University on Jack Coffey Field at 6:00 p.m.