Aug. 11, 2009
PHOTO GALLERY
Bronx, N.Y. - As if temperatures hovering around 90 degrees wasn't enough heat, head coach Tom Masella turned the heat up on the 2009 Fordham University football squad as the Rams opened their 2009 summer camp on Murphy Field on Monday.
"I think it was a great first day," said Masella. "We worked hard and these guys realize that camp is going to be a grind but the important thing is that they have to keep improving every day and at every practice."
The players reported on Sunday and Monday was a day of administrative tasks, such as physicals, strength testing, head shots and equipment issue before having unit meetings and then hitting Murphy Field for the first of five NCAA required acclimation days on Monday night. The players are allowed to wear only helmets for the first three days of acclimation before donning shoulder pads for the fourth day and full pads for day five.
On Monday afternoon, the freshmen attended academic orientation before the entire squad met up on Murphy Field for run testing and the first practice of the season.
The focus of practice on Tuesday, as it will be for the entire camp, was conditioning. The Fordham coaching staff instituted new drills during practice that will work on getting the Rams in top shape they strive to become, in Coach Masella's words, "the best conditioned team in the Patriot League."
With eight starters returning on offense and seven more on defense, the Rams are hoping to put the disappointment of last year behind then as they look to return to 2007 form, a year in which the Rams won their second Patriot League title.
"It's not easy to win a championship and we found that out last year," said Masella. "I think we learned a valuable lesson last fall and we will be ready to compete for another title this year."
Fordham will be led by four captains, seniors James Crockett, Robby Reis, John Skelton and Darzell Wright.
"It makes a big difference that we have so many players back with experience," said Crockett. "But more importantly, we're all healthy and that makes it even better."
Skelton, an Honorable Mention Preseason All-American by the Consensus Draft Services who will lead the offense, enters the 2009 season just two passes shy of tying Kevin Eakin's career record for career touchdown passes (45) and his first completion of the season will move him into first place on the Fordham all-time completions list, ahead of Joe Moorhead's mark of 518. Skelton already holds the school career mark for passing yards with 6,215.
Last fall, Skelton completed 228 of 372 passes for 2,605 yards and 15 touchdowns, bringing his career totals to 518 completions for 6,215 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Skelton has throw at least one touchdown pass in 20 of the 23 games over the past two years while recording 14 200-plus yard passing games, including three 300-plus yard games.
His 228 completions last fall rank Skelton fourth on the Fordham single season list while his 2,605 passing yards is the sixth best total, just behind the 2,650 yard he threw for in 2007.
Among the returning receivers are six of the top eight pass catchers from 2008, led by senior Asa Lucas and juniors Stephen Skelton, James Caldwell, David Moore and Jon Arnold.
"It's great that we have so many experienced receivers back," said Skelton. We've been working together for the past three years and that makes things easier on the field."
Skelton won't be the only offensive force for the Rams as junior running back Xavier Martin returns, coming off a season in which he became the sixth Ram to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. He carried 274 times for 1,237 yards, the fourth best total in school history, and seven touchdowns last fall, ranking second in the Patriot League and 17th in the NCAA FCS in rushing yards/game (112.5). He also caught nine passes for 92 yards and returned seven kickoffs for 126 yards (18.0 yards/return).
"I spent a lot of time in the weight room this spring, trying to get stronger," said Martin. "I need to be able to break tackles which I didn't do all that much last year. But I'm also working on my pass catching skills in order to be a well-rounded offensive weapon."
Defensively, Crockett and Wright led a unit that ranked first in passing defense and second in total defense first in the Patriot League in 2008. Crockett, a Second Team All-Patriot League pick last fall, will move from linebacker to defensive back this year while Wright, who notched seven tackles for loss and two sacks last fall, will guide the defensive line this year. Junior Andre Delaire, who led the Rams in tackles last fall with 71 total tackles, including five for loss and 2.5 sacks, will direct the linebackers.
The Rams will have their first intrasquad scrimmage on Monday, August 17th, at 8:00 p.m. Fordham opens the 2009 regular season on Saturday, September 5th, as they travel to Kingston, R.I., to face the University of Rhode Island at 1:00 p.m. Season tickets are now available on the Fordham Athletic Website at www.fordhamsports.com.
