(August 10, 2005) ?C Fordham University head football coach Tom Masella opened his first summer camp in the Bronx yesterday by welcoming the Rams to their first full day of practice on Murphy Field.
The student-athletes reported to Fordham on Sunday, took care of administrative details on Monday and Tuesday (physicals, equipment issue, etc.) and were on the field on Wednesday as a full team for the first time. Per NCAA regulations, Wednesday was one of five acclimatization days during which the Rams will have just one practice per day. Fordham will have its first practice in full pads on Saturday, August 12th beginning at 2:00 p.m.
The Rams will then have their first two-a-day practice this Sunday, August 13th with a morning session at 9:00 a.m. and an evening session at 8:45 p.m. Fordham will alternate single practices with two-a-days through Thursday, August 24th. Fordham will hold its first scrimmage on Tuesday, August 15th at 7:45 p.m.
With the graduation of eleven starters from last year, Masella has his work cut out for him as he looks to fill the holes in the lineup. But the good news for the new mentor is that three All-Patriot League selections return for the Rams in running back James Prydatko, linebacker Marcus Taylor, and placekicker Micah Clukey.
Prydatko and Taylor, who were Second Team All-Patriot League selections last year, are returning fifth-year seniors who will bring experience to the squad while Clukey was named First Team All-League last fall for the second straight year.
Offensively, the Rams look for quarterback Derric Daniels to return to his sophomore season form in which his threw for 1,876 yards and 23 touchdowns, setting Fordham records for a first year player (he missed his freshman year with an injury). That task should be made easier with the return of two starters to the offensive line who both sat out the entire 2005 season, Anthony Silvestro and Mike Nardone.
Defensively, the Rams, who will utilize a 3-4 set this season, will again be led by Taylor, who was second in the Patriot League and eighth in the NCAA I-AA in total tackle with 120 last year, while the line will be led by fifth-year senior Jay Edwards, who led the league in sack in 2005.
For more camp photos, please click the pictures link at the top of the football home page.
Fordham will open its 2006 season on Saturday, September 2nd when the Rams play host to the Monmouth University Hawks on Jack Coffey Field at 6:00 p.m. For ticket information contact the Fordham Ticket Office at 718-817-4300 or you can purchase tickets online at www.fordhamsports.com.
