Aug. 26, 2010

Photo Gallery

Bronx, N.Y. - Today was the final double session practice for the Rams, who took to Murphy Field at 9:00 a.m. this morning and were back on the practice field for an afternoon workout at 3:00 p.m. Both session consisted of uppers only as the Rams donned helmets and shoulder pads for both practices. Fordham is up to its 21st practice session of camp as the Rams prepare for their season opening on Saturday, September 4th at Bryant University.

Here are some observations from today's practice:

Murray the Hero: The afternoon practice ended with a proposal from head coach Tom Masella. If Patrick Murray could kick a 52-yard field goal, the team would get out of running sprints. As the offense and defense lined up for the attempt the ball was errantly snapped but Murray was able to collect the snap and rolled to his right, getting off a drop kick from about the 40-yard line that snuck inside the right goal post. Despite the fact that Masella was asking for a defensive time out when the ball was snapped, he wasn't about to spoil the mood for the Rams who were swarming Murray in excitement. The team even got the night off from meetings.

Kicking It Around: Speaking of Murray, he seems to be taking on a majority of the kicking chores for the Rams this year, placekicking, punting and handling the kick offs. He was booming kickoffs into the end zone at this morning's practice.

Final Day: Tomorrow will be the final practice of camp as the players will have Saturday off. On Sunday, the Rams will assist the freshmen with move-in, doing some heavy lifting before gathering for a practice on Sunday night.

Normal Practice: Friday's practice will be a normal Thursday practice during the season. The team will meet and left in the early morning and then take to the field at about 9:30 a.m. for practice.

Offensive Line: One of the keys to Fordham's success this year will be the play of the offensive line. The line returns three starters: juniors Jonathan Sheridan and Lloyd Morrison and freshman Robert Kubacki. Kubacki filled in the final six games of the year for senior Adnan Vandyck, who was injured in practice prior to the Cornell game and missed the rest of the season. Sheridan started the first game of 2009 at left guard and then moved to center, starting the final ten games there after Robby Reis was lost for the year due to an injury. Morrison started all eleven games at right guard.

Matt Stolte

The big question for offensive line coach Patrick Moore, who moves over to the offensive side of the ball after coaching the defensive unit the past three years, will be who will replace graduated senior Andrew Tyshovnytsky, who signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts shortly after the draft.

Moore has a roster of senior Wendell Joly, juniors John Smalec, Connor Hartigan, Cahill Hooker and Daniel Kessler, sophomores John Hohlt, Andrew Milmore, William DeLuca, Chris Watkins, Anthony Perrone and freshmen Matt Stolte, Kai Brusch and Steven Tapia to work into the lineup.