Nov. 9, 2009
PHOTO GALLERY
Bronx, N.Y. - The seventh Monday Night Quarterback Coaches Show was held tonight in The Marketplace in the McGinley Center with appearances by Fordham head coach Tom Masella, defensive line coach/special teams coordinator Malik Hall, senior quarterback John Skelton and senior defensive back Isiejah Allen.
WFUV announcers Brian Clark and Alex Middlesworth led off the show with audio highlights of last Saturday's 21-7 Patriot League win over Bucknell on Jack Coffey Field and then went into an interview with Masella on the game. Here are some quotes from the questions:
On the game:
"We spoke last week about the Bucknell team showing two offenses and the option offense showed up on Saturday. Our kids played extremely well and did a great job defending the option. The defense also forced turnovers and got the ball back to the offense, sometimes very quickly."
On offense's play on Saturday:
"Bucknell didn't do anything different on defense that we hadn't seen before. We just didn't get into a rhythm on offense in the first half and didn't have our feet underneath us. But the kids stayed with it and John Skelton stayed with it and we were able to move the ball in the second half."
On the turnovers forced by the defense:
"The biggest turnover I thought was the one in the third quarter when Ryan Darcey made a big play and Patrick McGee jumped on the loose ball. It helped us not get behind Bucknell because those guys are hard to play when you're behind."
On the play of senior linebacker David Mendez:
"David is a hard-working guy who got better and better for us each year. That's a credit to David and his work ethic. It's great to see someone like him have so much success after he was injured most of last year."
On the play of John Skelton, who was suffering from turf toe:
"The turf toe didn't seem to bother him too much on Saturday. He didn't move around as well as he can but what more can we ask of a quarterback? He completed 28 of 33 passes for over 300 yards and didn't throw an interception."
On the play of the offensive line:
"Bucknell did a good job up front moving around and that caused some problems on the offensive line. We didn't stay on our blocks as long as we would like to but the young guys are trying hard and we like what they're doing."
On the problem with fumbles this year:
"When you try to make a big play sometimes you don't hold on to the ball. That has hurt us in some games this year but luckily it didn't hurt us on Saturday. It's frustrating but you have to overcome it and keep reinforcing to the players to keep it high and tight."
On the play of the special teams:
"The PAT and field goal units are both young and they're gaining confidence. Patrick Murray has done a terrific job punting this year. He's first in the Patriot League and he's up there in the nation."
Next up was an interview with Allen:
On the win over Bucknell:
"We haven't beaten them since I got here so it was a big game for us. It also keeps our chances for a winning season alive."
On the improved play of the defense:
"We haven't really changed anything since the beginning of the season. We're still playing hard on every play and trying to be more consistent and more aggressive. The defensive line has gotten healthier and that has helped make things easier for us in the backfield."
On playing with two skilled corner backs:
"Having Kelvin Colbert and Isa Abdul El-Quddus at the corners makes my job easier when I call the plays. I know they will be where they're supposed to be which allows me to take some chances, knowing they will be there to back me up."
On playing his final home game on Saturday:
"I don't really know how I'm going to feel. It will be emotional, win or lose, but I want to do everything I can to help us go out on top. Even though we haven't accomplished our goals this year, the seniors hope to support our teammates and help them in the future."
John Skelton, who leads the NCAA FCS in passing yards/game, followed Allen:
On his injury:
"I think the coaching staff was more concerned about it than I was. I didn't practice on Thursday to rest it and Vinny and his training staff did a great job getting me ready for the game."
On staying in the pocket more on Saturday:
"I never really want to scramble so it didn't affect me that much. If the plays breaks down I will run but I'd prefer to stay in the pocket."
On his preference between the short passing game and airing it out:
"We just try to take what they give us. With receivers like Jason Caldwell, a short pass can turn into a 35-yard gain. Jason is such a playmaker who runs good routes and can pick up the big play. That said, I still like to throw it deep every once in a while."
On the offensive line:
"Losing a senior leader like Robby Reis early in the year really hurt. But the young guys stepped up and have come a long way this year."
On his final appearance on Jack Coffey Field this Saturday:
"I don't know how I'm going to feel playing my last game in front of the home crowd. I'm sure it will be emotional and hopefully we'll get the win. My family will be here. It'll be nice to have them all here."
Hall followed Skelton, talking about the defensive line and special teams:
On the play of the defensive line:
"Unfortunately we haven't really been healthy as a unit this year. Darzell Wright got hurt in the Colgate game and when he came back, Jordan Bledsoe got banged up. So we've been playing some freshmen but I think defensive line is the hardest position for a freshman to play. Between the strength and speed needed it's a big jump for the guys. Luckily for us, our freshman have some size and have been doing a good job contributing."
On the play of Jordan Bledsoe, who moved over to the defensive line from the offensive line this year:
"Jordan is a really good offensive lineman who is just as good on the defensive line. He was named preseason all-conference on the offensive line and we didn't know what to expect with the move but he has been dynamic on the defensive line in his first year. I don't have to tell him much as he is a quick learner. When Darzell Wright was injured in the Colgate game, Jordan really stepped up and made some big plays for us."
On the play of Thomas Lloyd:
"Thomas was similar to Darzell Wright as a freshman. In high school he was the strongest one on the line and he could move everyone. But in college that's not the case. Thomas went through a lot as a freshman and he is getting better and better. Plus he brings energy to the team and makes everyone else better."
On the special teams unit:
"You deal with a lot of different positional players on special teams and they have to adjust to special teams. On the return game, we've been hit by injuries and took Isiejah Allen off punt returns to keep him healthy for the defense. Asa Lucas has come on and now has a good grasp of punt returning. He's been doing a great job."
Masella then returned to the headset and wrapped things up with some questions from Clark and Middlesworth on the upcoming Lehigh game.
"The first thing about Lehigh is they have an outstanding defense. They're big and fast and move around pretty well. They're also very good on special teams, especially on the punt and kickoff returns. On offense they're very similar to the Lehigh team we played last year. They want to run the ball to set up the play-action pass over the middle. They're 2-7 but like us they have some very tough losses."
"We have to get the running game going on Saturday and avoid the negative plays. We had too many of those last week."
On the senior day with his first recruiting class:
"The one thing you realize is that it goes by quickly. What I would like most is for these guys to leave Jack Coffey Field for the final time on Saturday with a win. These seniors have done a great job over the past four years and they deserve it."
If you couldn't make it to the show you can listen to the archived shows at wfuv.org. And remember to come out to Jack Coffey Field on Saturday to watch the Senior Day match-up between the Rams and Lehigh at 1:00 PM.
