***For reports and interviews from previous spring football practices, please scroll down***

March 26th, 2008-Practice # 2 (Brian Seltzer, 11:45 PM)

Interviews:

Quarterbacks Coach Larry Woods discusses the status of the position with last year's starter Robert Irvin recovering from shoulder surgery:

Abbreviated Video Interview / Extended Audio Interview

Kicking Off With These Thoughts:

For this practice, I’m focusing on the Quaker quarterback corps. The position, by virtue of its effect on the execution of offensive schemes, is always an interesting one to examine on any football team. But, for the Red and Blue specifically, the storylines surrounding signal caller entering this season adds to the intrigue. Robert Irvin(standing to the left), the rising senior, had his 2007 campaign cut short after two contests with a shoulder injury. Since surgery, he’s been enduring the rigors of rehab. Right now, he’s limited to on-field drills that don’t involve throwing. The timetable for his return is still uncertain.

So what if Rob’s not unable to start the season under center? Unlike 2007, the team does not have a veteran (Bryan Walker) to turn to to fill the void. The next option now is Brendan McNally(pictured below with Offensive Line Coach Jon McLaughlin), a sophomore product from Penn Charter who received the treasured Geis Trophy to the MVP of the school’s contest with archrival Germantown Academy. Brendan appeared in five games last fall, threw 12 times, and completed nine of those attempts. The only problem was that three were to the opposing squad. Still, he gained invaluable game experience, which QB coach Larry Woods believes will pay off.

To provide a little bit more info on the two freshmen behind McNally, there’s Cal Farley and Keiffer Garton. Farley hails from Keller, TX, and to be rated among the top 15 quarterbacks in a state widely considered the hotbed for football talent isn’t too bad. He, like Garton, earned a Wendy’s High School Heisman nomination. Garton comes out of Castle Rock, CO, and gained a nice reputation as a two-time all-state honorable mention by leading his club to a state championship in 2005 and league title in 2006. Both have adequate size at around 6’3, 210 lbs. Going back to Robert Irvin real quick, one of his real assets is his height at 6’5. If all the above isn't enough fodder for you, the Red and Blue will bring in three more potential quarterbacks this fall as a part of its soon-to-be-announced incoming class.
Hopefully you have the time to check out either the video or audio interview with QB coach Larry Woods. Obviously I know who writes my paycheck, but in all seriousness, the Penn coaching staff features some great gridiron minds, and Larry’s is one of the sharpest. He’s extremely insightful about the position he oversees, and has had outstanding success in developing signal callers: Mark DeRosa (4th all-time passing yards), Gavin Hoffman (2000 Ivy MVP), Mike Mitchell (2003 Ivy MVP). There’s a reason Al Bagnoli has entrusted him with teaching such a significant position his entire tenure with the Quakers. After learning my lesson the hard way last night of the consequences that come along with being underdressed for Philadelphia’s unpredictable March temperatures, I made sure to deck my self out in warm-wear this evening. I actually was hoping it would be cold. To my disappointment, it was a pleasant 52 degrees during practice. Thus, I was a little overheated in thick socks, turtleneck, sweatshirt, fleece jacket, etc. One of these days, I will get it right.

Practice News and Notes:

Now if Michael DiMaggio had proclaimed tonight was a “great night for football” as he did yesterday, I would have agreed. Very manageable conditions with temperatures in the mid 50’s, not much of a breeze. No pads, the helmets and shorts remained on, as they will for two more workouts. Tonight's practice again started at 8:15 PM under the lights at Franklin Field. The first portion of the workout, after some informal positional warm ups, was extremely heavy on calisthenics, even more so than yesterday. The squad spent a good 20+ minutes until about 8:40 PM working on speed and agility, two areas they are committing to improving for 2008. As evidence, the Quakers added Jamie Cook and Cody Schovitz to their staff in the off-season to serve as a speed coaches. Cody actually ran track and field here at Penn, earning letters in 2004 and 2005. He, with the vocal encouragement of Coach Bagnoli, really had the guys going through grueling exercises that ranged from running leg kicks to side-shuffle jumping jacks to full-blown sprints. The entire team took part, not just the more nimble skill positions players, but linemen as well. Expect a quicker Quaker club come the fall.

Although there's still much to be decided before Penn kicks off its 2008 season September 20th against Villanova, a really intriguing position to monitor early on has been punter. The Quakers will lose the dependable Anthony Melillo to graduation in May. Melillo was perhaps one of the more underrated members of the program, methodically going about his business of pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line 22 times on 59 punts. Among those vying for the starting spot are Mark Dziemranowicz and Raiam Santos, two names that roll right off the tongue. The two freshmen, however, share a very neat storyline in that each competed for Bill Wagner's sprint football team this past fall. Let's see if one wins himself a promotion. Another special teams note, rising sophomore Andrew Sampson acted as place kicker a year ago, and converted 7-15 field goal opportunities. He connected consistently through the uprights tonight, as did his classmate Dave Kuncio, who worked solely on kick-offs in 2007. Kuncio seemed very sharp, and he booted the ball with confidence, accuracy, and distance.
The defense reviewed pass rushing for two periods this evening, with the interior linemen and ends working with one another in drills. Quakers' defensive coordinator Ray Priore prefers his defensive ends to stand up rather than put their hands on the ground, acting more like linebackers. The Red and Blue ran through skeleton (7-on-7) exercises again at tonight's practice, as well as two periods of 11-on-11 instruction.

The Depth Chart Daily:

With full contact practices not beginning until Sunday, and this session also being the first of 12, the Quakers were sorted not so much by first team, second team, etc., but by unit(offense, defense, or special teams) and position. Once the drills become more team-oriented, this chart will start to come together.

Offense		Defense
QB		DE
RB		DT
FB		NG
WR		DT
WR		DE
TE		LB
LT		LB
LG		CB
C		CB
RG		SS
RT		FS
Special Teams
PK
K
P
LS
Hold
KR
PR

Injury Updates:

Trevor Charlston, Fr. PK: Received medical hardship for 2007-2008 academic year after arriving on campus with quad problem; now kicking again
Robert Irvin, Jr. QB: Shoulder injury restricted throwing; occasionally put on helmet and handed off ball during drills, participated in drop-back exercises
Kevin Dooley, Jr. OL: Foot injury will hold him out of spring practices, but serving as student-assistant coach while sidelined

Quote of the Practice:

"If you are able to do that during a game, I'll give you my house"- Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator Ray Priore

Coach Priore offered this praise during individual defensive drills revolving around dropping back in coverage. The defense wasn't even lined up across from the offense, there was no live pigskin involved, the group was just simply getting a feel for footwork. With his voice full of intensity and approval, Coach P's comment captured the essence of spring football's purpose: these sessions, as written before, are about firming up the minutia, the little details that lay the foundations for a championship-caliber club.

Next Practice:

Friday, March 28th; 7:00 PM-9:00 PM (Helmets/Shorts)

I'll speak with assistant coach Steve Downs, and focus on the running back position that he oversees.

March 25th, 2008-Practice # 1 (Brian Seltzer, 11:30 PM)

Interviews:

George A. Munger Head Coach Al Bagnoli discusses the outlook of the Quakers entering spring football:

Abbreviated Video Interview / Extended Audio Interview

Kicking Off With These Thoughts:

Practice News and Notes:

With this being the first workout of the spring, Al Bagnoli and his staff appeared to set a tone of mental, rather than physical, intensity. From the outset, they made sure to tighten the team's technique. That's critical at this point of the year, so that when practices resume in the fall, a greater amount of time can be dedicated to the installation of the squad's schemes. A good deal of time was devoted to passing instruction and passing skeleton drills. Overall energy was very upbeat, picking up right where last season left off with an emphatic crushing of Cornell. Coaches and players alike looked genuinely excited to be in one another's company again.

The Depth Chart Daily:

With full contact practices not beginning until Sunday, and this session also being the first of 12, the Quakers were sorted not so much by first team, second team, etc., but by unit(offense, defense, or special teams) and position. Once the drills become more team-oriented, this chart will start to come together.

Offense		Defense
QB		DE
RB		DT
FB		NG
WR		DT
WR		DE
TE		LB
LT		LB
LG		CB
C		CB
RG		SS
RT		FS
Special Teams
PK
K
P
LS
Hold
KR
PR

Injury Updates:

Robert Irvin, Jr. QB: Shoulder injury restricted throwing; cautiously integrated into select exercises focusing on technique Kevin Dooley, Jr. OL: Foot injury will hold him out of spring practices, but serving as student-assistant coach while sidelined

Quote of the Practice:

"It's a great night for football"- Fr. RB Michael DiMaggio

Could also receive votes for Overstatement of the Night, considering the weather conditions, but this exclamation by the running back right as practice began captured the energy present at the workout. Not even chilly temperatures could dampen the Red and Blue's enthusiasm to initiate preparations for the 2008 season.

Coming Tomorrow:

I'll profile the Quakers' quarterback corps in a conversation with Penn's assistant coach for the position, Larry Woods.

Practice will be held in helmets/shorts from 8:15-10:15