Aug. 11, 2011
Photo Gallery
Bronx, N.Y. -
Stopped out at football practice on Wednesday night and came away with a few tidbits:
My What Big Shoulders You Have: Last night was the second day that the players could wear shoulder pads and you could hear the cracking of pad-on-pad as the night went on. Yes, football season has started. Thursday will mark the first day that players can don full pads for practice.
Never Mind the Bus, Here's Comes the Truck: Jerome Bettis has nothing on the Fordham offensive linemen. Listed at 5'11 and 252 pounds Bettis was nicknamed "The Bus" in his playing days due to his ability to carry multiple defenders on his back. On Wednesday night the Fordham offensive linemen seemed more like trucks as they enjoyed a special drill that is not commonly associated with the position. Carrying the football. The linemen took turns running through an apparatus that is designed to ensure ball security. The piece is comprised of numerous "arms" that hit the player running with the ball. The linemen seemed to enjoy motoring through the contraption, letting out huge grunts as they powered through the machine while holding tight to a weighted football.
Move It: A main point of emphasis in practice so far has been tempo. The Fordham coaches have designed drills to keep the players moving and running from period to period. When the offense and defense battled each other, a new ball is put in play as soon as the play is whistled dead and the team must sprint to the new line of scrimmage and ready themselves for the next play.
Double-Up: Friday will mark the first double session practice. The Rams will practice from 10-11:45 in the morning and then be back in action from 7-9:15 in the evening. It will be the first of six two-a-days for the Rams this camp.
Rams on TV: The Rams are scheduled to be on television twice in 2011. The first is the season opener at UConn which will be televised live on ESPN3. Fordham will also appear on the national stage on October 29th when they travel to West Point to face Army at 3:30 PM as that game will be carried live on the CBS Sports Network .
First Scrimmage on Saturday: The Rams will compete in their first intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. The scrimmage will start at 7:00 PM.
