mat1992

I'm cautiously optimistic. RA was as excited about the newcomers as I've ever seen him. Just think that most of these impact players on the offensive line (Zane V, Francis), at wide receiver (the three transfers, Richardson, Jabari Allen), running back, secondary, linebacker (Parker, Konate), etc are unknown to the media. The new defensive scheme and new DC is a big addition. But it goes back to Mahalak. With him as starting quarterback, we're 4-1 last season (ok, he didn't finish the STF game). Most of those seven losses were close ones (Dartmouth, Stony Brook, Richmond) or we were at least competitive (Delaware, UNH). With Morgan, we probably win those close games. Now Ellis is a 260-pound tight end. Our offensive line is going to average around 315 pounds. Back to smash mouth football.

Ambrose opening statement This is the time of year where every football player in America, looks as it like it's Christmas Eve. It's been a long year but a great offseason. Probably one of the best offseasons we've ever had. To say our guys are excited about this fall is a massive understatement. We had a large graduating group last season. When those guys graduate, they were 4-7. What's left doesn't like 4-7. Those players don't like the fact that we haven't been in the playoffs. In 2011, we had a team meeting before the season. Thekids were confident and worked hard and they put it together. The kids are hungry now and are together. It's similar to 2011. Offensive line This is one of the tightest groups we've ever had. And they are having fun. When you are having fun, it tends to show signs of something special. From the spring We're taking those guys that graduated and we had to fill in those spots. We needed to find an identity as a team and we're not there yet, but we made greater strides than I anticipated. We were beat up on defense in the spring. We're deeper, healthier and stronger than we've been in five years. There are some spots that are relatively solidified. That (WR) group is so talented and deep. I think from where we were a year ago, I probably vote for us the same way (10th). I got a chance to see us in the offseason and I feel better about it. On Morgan Mahalak He's talented and getting better. We weren't breaking redshirts last season at qb. Ellis was standing out there on an island. Morgan with a year in the program and have two freshmen behind him...we're smart, athletic, we can throw the ball and have depth that can play. I plan on sleeping better. To have a chance to win a national title, you have to be able to run the ball. To have those guys returning, that should bode well. On transfers They bring positional experience from another school. They can play at a Division I level. What can they do? You have to find out in a couple of weeks. On Monty Fenner I get the opportunity to coach young men. Eventually they grow up. Monty used to look like a 12-year old boy. Now he looks like a man. He's a grown up and is responsible. He wants to stand up and take the mantle on defense. Instead of looking at it like a job, he's excited about it. He's working hard on catching but as talented as he is, he should not have just two interceptions in his career. On turnover ratio A lot of that was on offense. Ellis might have set records for giving up pick-sixes. We've been bad on takeaways and on third downs (defense). That's what we are working on. On long snapper Will Hayes There's a reason Will is here. He's the number one long snapper in this league and the best I've ever coached. Cory Kirby should be in the NFL. Will works so hard at his craft, he has a chance to play at the next level. This is not just media day speak. He's as accurate and fast as I've ever seen and big enough to tackle any return guy. Stats don't win games, teams win games. On offensive line Garnett had a decent spring and we'll find out where Francis can play. He has quick feet. At center, Rusollilo, Zane or Carnesale. They can also play right guard. Antonio Harris could start at guard but played some tackle in the spring. Many of these guys are great students, who can play multiple positions. Running back Sherrod Hawkes claims he played at Northwestern and is better than Terrance West. Shane is there and he's multiple. He can play wideout too. All those guys are going to play. We've always needed more than one running back. WR John Tsimis, from all reports, knows how to practice and play. He's the prototypical receiver. Situation at Rutgers was not the best. RB C.J. Williams is good if he's healthy. Take the stress off being the full-time guy and we'll have more of a RB by committee. He's a physical specimen. Greenwood (KY receiver) was recruited out of Washington D.C. He brings height and great leaping ability. He's like a bigger version of Jabari Allen. He goes and gets the ball. The two of those transfers will raise the level of play at receiver. If you want to play wideout this year, you better come to work. If you don't come prepared, you won't play. Leatherbury was recruited out of HS. Everybody thought he was too short, hands not good enough. Just a track guy. Nobody in this room knows who he is. DLine Was beat up in the spring. There will be two players not 100% on the 30th of August. Myles Wright (knee) is out for the year. Kanyia Anderson tweaked a hamstring running a 4.6 40 at 275 pounds. Should be ready to go. Indicative of our offseasons. Clifton Jones ran a 4.9 40 at 270? Cox is back and is healthy. Nose guard Reece Burnett and depending on how we mix things around. Malik Tyne ran a 4.6. He was a running back in HS. Bryce Carter ran a 4.7 and he's strong as an ox. AT LB Keon Paye (now 220 pounds) looks great. We recruited him as a wideout. We moved the distractions. Every single linebacker is under 4.8 40. Competition at middle linebacker. They want to play and they want to win. Chris Tedder is the one I've seen the least this summer. At WLB, Hayward and Tedder are battling. Paye will play strongside. At DB Boles ran a disgusting number. He's a freak athlete. JPD can play boundary corner and the safety spot. We're big and Lyrics is healthy. Both shoulders are good. He wasted half his freshman season and was injured last year. Jamal Watson started out at safety and can play corner. He's a heady player. Tyron McDade is focused and into it. He can play nickel, boundary, etc. TE Joe Green, Zach Herron, Metice Moore, Ellis Knudson. Each one of those guys ran under 4.7 and are over 250 pounds. Ellis is over 260 right now. Wright is 240 and will have the year to get his knee right. On surprises after the spring Brandon Sheppard can play both safety spots and had a strong spring. Mitchell Boles is super athletic. I don't know who is going to line up at fullback but I like who I have. Dorsey and Greaves are really fast but I don't know until they put the pads on. Good kids and smart kids. Desperately want to see us succeed. We're going to be alright for a couple of years. Seagraves, Buckner and McCants look like players. One of those three has a chance to play this year. There's a whole bunch of unknowns, but you don't know what cards I have but I have some good cards. Monty Fenner on I started out as a strong safety, but we know both positions. I might have to play free or strong depending on schemes. Boles and Sheppard are trying out for the other position. Shep is picking up the defense quickly. He's very vocal and is not scared to tackle. It's the game experience. Some people get caught up in the moment. Most people listen to me first because of my experience. On new DC More man-blitz concept, which I like. It really tests our skills. We were more of a zone team with our old DC. This will showcase our skills. We're good enough to play man. We have a lot of speed. Lyrics (Klugh) runs a 4.3 and JPD is a pretty aggressive at the line. On last season's issues on D Too much cover 2. Teams can call that before we even called it. It was a play here and play there. We changed up the concept and we have the talent and the ability to rush the passer. I trust coach Johnson. Coach Ambrose trusts him. They worked together at UConn. He gets his point across every well and is a bit laid back. Coach Tric is going to treat everybody the same. I love coach Tric(ario). We need to be healthy. We had a lot of guys down last season. Our quarterback went down and it hurt our season. We weren't getting blown out. It was a play here and a play there that hurt us. We need to be more consistent on defense. Extra studying on film. On first two games Playing Morgan is going to be their Super Bowl and Maryland is going to be our Super Bowl. We have 4-5 new DBs coming in. Here, you have a chance to play early. If you can play, you can play. Rankings They don't really mean much. They always have it out for us. We have one of the toughest schedules every year. Teams always have it out for us. Playoffs After the 15 year, we went 7-4. We were tied with New Hampshire, the year we lost to Elon in the rain. You never know what happened. If we beat Elon, we would have been in the playoffs. We were picked to finish very low that year. It definitely gives kids some motivation. Definitely feel confident. We have a tough schedule, even though we don't play JMU this year. We need to be healthy and need to be focused.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bs-sp-towson-football-caa-preseason-ranking-20170725-story.html

Ky transfer WR Jabari Greenwood is on there. Also JUCO transfer running back Sherrod Hawkes. Rutgers transfer WR John Tsimis also there and Jesus Barrio moved to TE. Bucknell grad transfer RB C.J. Williams is also a very good get if he is healthy. http://www.bucknellbison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209045472 https://www.hudl.com/profile/4047704/sherrod-hawkes http://towsontigers.com/roster.aspx?path=football

You never know how transfers are going to adjust, but it's good to get two grad transfers. They have just one year left to prove they can stay healthy and succeed. Hawkes is a local speedster who is going to push fo the backup running back spot along with Williams. Greenwood never really played in KY so who knows. Again, I preferred a DL transfer.

Izaiiah Brockington can fly http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/07/philly_hoops_recruiting_izaiah.html

http://towsontigers.com/news/2017/7/19/womens-lacrosse-sachs-joins-tigers-for-the-2018-lacrosse-season.aspx

Any other questions about the roster, I'll address them next Tuesday with RA at the CAA Football press conference.

I'm sure they'll bring in another punter to compete with Toomey. He was serviceable in the spring but it would have been nice to have Finnegan.

It's not going to happen but it's a nice PR thing to say. Both programs need to improve their teams and attendance first. Then Towson needs to market the program better. The entire program, not just football.

http://towsontigers.com/news/2017/7/18/football-towson-morgan-state-hold-battle-for-greater-baltimore-press-conference.aspx http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bs-sp-towson-morgan-state-football-series-0719-story.html

I should have put Scott there because they will probably list him as a No. 2 back to start. However, I think there will be another option (hint). As for Reece, yeah, weight issues probably will either keep him a run-only nose guard and they might use Zain and Clifton or Cummings up front but I think that whole line is up for grabs. There's really not one guy that deserves to start based off last year's performance.

There's always a player or two that RA tries to hide (so I try to not expose it unless it's on the net). No experience and a lot of potential so who knows where and how he will fit.

Not a lot of major changes. I'd think Gallahan might start in the slot and I'd have the Rutgers transfer or even Richardson (move Leatherbury to outside). But again, things may change during summer camp so the depth chart at the beginning (which they won't release), won't mean a lot. I'd like to see them give some of the true freshmen a chance to play if they are ready, like Myles Wright at tight end. There should be a handful of true freshmen that can play right away.

Ok, I did this on the previous site after the spring, but that info is now gone. Also added WR John Tsimis, a transfer from Rutgers. RB DeShaun Wethington not on the roster but could return next season. This is not my preferred depth chart, but who I think will line up at the start of camp. Totally guessed about the fullback position. That appears to be really up in the air. *redshirt freshman, #true freshman, $ transfer QB Morgan Mahalak, *Ryan Stover, *Tristan Harris RB Shane Simpson, David Bryant, James Scott, #Adrian Platt WR Trey Kilgore, #Jabari Allen, Ryan Rutkowski WR Brent Richardson, $Shane Leatherbury, Ryan Broyles WR Sam Gallahan, John Tsimis, Morgan Scroggins TE Joe Green, Zach Herron, Ellis Knudson FB Jordan Waite, $Sal Jeppi C *Nico Russolillo (6-1, 303), Nick Carnesale (6-1, 285), RG $Zane Ventimiglia (6-3, 310), Carnesale LG Antonio Harris (6-4, 315), $D'Mitri Francis (6-4, 330), Brendan Cassels (6-3, 285) LT *Andrew Garnett (6-5, 315), Harris, Francis RT Matt Kauffman (6-5, 310), Francis, Harris Defense DE Malik Tyne (6-2, 240), *Bryce Carter (6-3, 235) NG Reese Burnett, *Tommy Dangogo (6-2, 300) DT Zain Harps Upshur (6-1, 290), Clifton Jones (6-2, 280) DE Kanyia Anderson (6-2, 260), D'Sean Cummings (6-2, 260) OLB Chris Tedder (6-0, 220), #Abdoulaye Konate (5-11, 220) OLB Keon Paye (6-0, 215), #Dymelle Parker (6-2, 220) MLB Diondre Wallace (6-0, 250), Robert Heyward (5-10, 215) SS $Mitch Boals (5-11, 185), $Troy Vincent (5-10, 200) FS Monte Fenner (6-0, 190), *Christian Johnson (6-2, 200) CB Lyrics Klugh, *Jamal Watson CB Justus Pettus-Dixon, Tyron McDade P Pat Toomey K Aidan O'Neill KR Shane Simpson, Lyrics Klugh PR Simpson, Klugh

Most practices are closed to the public. As for McNeill, he's a little bigger but he's kind of the same player he was last season. Streaky, pretty good defensively and even-keeled. This is his fourth season so he know what's to expect. I don't expect him to change his role this season. If he's making shots, he deserves more time, especially if Morsell is struggling. If they press more, he will certainly play a pivotal role.

Checked out a two-hour+ practice at the old Towson Center. It really doesn't matter if they practice in Burdick, where there still is a lot of construction, the TC or SECU, basketball is basketball. But when it's at the Towson Center, nostalgia goes through my mind. I remember sitting in the bleachers upstairs watching Kurk Lee and Devin Boyd in 1989. I was coming from a junior college setting, watching guys like Jay Bias and Terrence Jacobs (who would come in 1990-91) play for a great Allegany Community College team to checking out legit D1 basketball. Pat Skerry is the fifth coach I've covered after Terry Truax, Mike Jaskulski, Michael Hunt and Pat Kennedy. That's a lot considering coaches like Dick Filbert, Phil Albert, Gordy Combs, Mike Gottlieb, Roger Erricker, Frank O., and others have lasted 20+ years. Towson has not really gone through a lot of coaching changes in most sports since I arrived in the fall of 1989-except in men's basketball. Skerry is about to enter his seventh season, which should make him third after Truax and Vince Angotti in terms of longevity, at least in the modern era and that would make him the second-longest tenured coach in D1. Enough of the nostalgia. Let's get to the team. They are gearing up for another Canada trip (Skerry's second) in about two and a half weeks. Deshaun Moreman (hip) will sit it out though he's close to being ready and was shooting on the side. We spoke after practice, though my app only caught a few minutes, so most of the talk I'll have to paraphrase. https://goravens.ca/events/2017-18-mbb-vs-towson-aug-717ncaa-can-shootout/ Here's one Skerry quote "We still want to spend time on skill work and strength and conditioning. We'd like to turn the ball over less and have less fouling. There are three ways to score: 1)Free throws. 2)Layups/Off rebounds. 3)Shooting. We did two very well. One of them we didn't (shooting). We're playing a little bit differently (more pressing)." Everybody wants to know about the freshmen and I'll just say be patient. Last year, I had no idea if Justin Gorham was going to contribute and it took him time, but he finally started playing more at the end of the season. He also started at 205 pounds and lost his father in pre-season. Ended up at 220 and is now 234. Confidence is a lot higher and if he gets to around 240, I can see him fill in at center and power forward. He could even start but Eddie Keith (now at 237) is likely to start at the 4 this season as the team will go smaller and quicker. Another guy who I thought would have an impact was Zane Martin. It also took him some time but he's arguably the team's best scorer, up there with Morsell. Just needs to continue to work on his handle and shot, which isn't bad. He can also play some point guard if needed. The freshmen all have their attributes. Travis Ingram is very fast with the ball and super athletic. He's also very thin. Ok shooter. Could thrive in the press but with all the pick and rolls in today's game, a thin guard often gets eaten up by bigs. Because he's not really a point guard, he's a candidate to redshirt but it's way too early for that. Let's see how he plays in practice and Canada. I like Jeff Prophete, though he had some issues defensively in the scrimmage and has a weird-looking shot. He definitely can get in the lane and we need a backup point guard (though Van Rolle is much-improved. The walk-on might play some this season). It will be interesting to see how he progresses because he definitely has the size (6-2, 190) I like Quentin Drayton, the 6-5 wing from Bowie. He has a nice soft shot and pretty good size at 6-5, 190 (has added 10+ pounds already). Needs work on his handle and defense. But with Morsell and McNeill, there's not a lot of room at the 3. With an emphasis on better shooting, I could certainly see him getting some PT this season. Starr looks a little better and leaner at the point. He needs to be a little more aggressive because let's face it, the team will need to replace the scoring (and rebounding) of Moto and John Davis. I don't know who the backup is going to be. Could be Prophete, Martin or Rolle. That's what Canada is there for along with preseason practice in September. Alex Thomas is a big key. They need him to be more aggressive this season. More rebounds, more points and more tenacity. Also needs to stay on the floor and not foul. This is why it's going to be very important that Dennis Tunstall and Gorham play a lot of key minutes this season. I see Thomas as a guy who faces the basket better and can shoot the 3 (a bit). His back to the basket moves need to be more polished and done with more authority. Tunstall is still thin at 213 and he just doesn't seem to have the frame to get more than 220. I think he'll have to play some center but that's only in certain matchups. He's better suited for power forward and being used during the press. But he's so athletic and long, they have to find at least 15mpg for him. We also chatted about recruiting and with four ships left, Skerry expects to sign another point guard as well as a possible juco and grad transfer for next season. With four seniors leaving, he'd like two more players that can start along with Duquesne trasnfer Nakeye Sanders and then Martin, McNeill, or one of the three freshmen to come on. Plus I think Gorham is going to be a legit starter either this season or next. Still waiting on one more team to fill the schedule. Looks like they'll host Frostburg St. as part of one of the tournaments (assume it's the one in Florida).

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/07/17/former-towson-baseball-coach-mike-gottlieb-leaves-lasting-legacy

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/family-is-your-first-team-towson-s-staff-approach-creates-consistent-success/50091

I just think that with Josh Miller graduating after 2018, they just wanted another option. But Milller and Shane Brennan will likely battle it out in the fall. Maybe Canto is the wild card.

http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_29669660/6-foot-5-250-pound-canto-giant-goal

http://towsontigers.com/news/2017/6/5/football-announces-home-and-home-series-with-the-citadel.aspx

Maybe there's a connection with Mahalak. Also, Ambrose has been out there a lot lately. We have two juco guards, who either went to HS in Cali (Ventemiglia) or played JUCO there (D'Mitri Francis - San Jose City College).

I wouldn't playing those schools either but I would play them at home. Howard might be really good in a few years under Mike London so you better get them now.

Maybe they also like Brendan Sunday and.Drew Laundry