Eight friggin' days away, and I very nearly can't stand it.We are currently in that uncomfortable time when the team is just about to be unveiled, yet there's just so much that we don't... know. Will senior DT Royce Morgan work through his "personal and academic" issues? Who's going to step up on the "O" line? Who's returning kicks? So many questions, and I just don't have the answers just yet.
As we hit the last preseason two-a-days, we get this intriguing final report from Lehighsports.com showing some new faces to watch. Beleive you me when I say that my eyebrows were raised after reading the names.
One of those wide receivers Coen was speaking of is sophomore Mike Fitzgerald, who caught three touchdown passes in the scrimmage. “Mike is really ready to take off. He had been out a few days with an injury (prior) to the scrimmage, but he came back in a big way. He’s very shifty with his moves and we’re looking forward to what he can do for us this season.”
Following the scrimmage, he singled out sophomore Brian Jackson as a player to watch. “Brian has been making plays; it’s as simple as that. He’s been given an opportunity here in the preseason and I think he’s made the most of it.”
Another defensive player Coen spoke of is freshman linebacker Matt Cohen, who has quickly made a name for himself. “Matt’s another guy that due to injuries has been given a chance to play here in camp and has just gotten a ton of reps. He’s hung in there and really done a nice job. He’s had a nice first few weeks of practice.”
The backfield figures to be one of Lehigh’s strengths in 2006, and Coen was quick to point out that that group of seniors Marques Thompson and Greg Fay, junior John Piascik, and sophomores Matt McGowan, Josh Pastore and Adam Watson has been the most impressive of camp thus far. “We knew going in that this position would be strong, and these guys have lived up to that. With so much quality there, it makes for strong competition and should only help us during the season.”
First of all, that was not a typo. That was TWO sophomores and one FRESHMAN on the faces to watch. One, soph DL Brian Jackson, was nowhere near my radar, further causing me to cover my two-deep with even more black magic marker.
The frosh, LB Matt Cohen out of Allentown Catholic, is 6"1 and 200 lbs and was dominant at that level, but it has to be said it's a major surprise that he's in the mix.
Also, did anybody notice on the Lehigh roster that TE Pete Morelli is now an OL? (More black magic marker...)
With the conclusion of camp, my I-AA.org fan preview piece (part I) coming out very soon, and my vacation occurring now until next Wednesday when my preview of Lehigh/Albany gets posted), I thought I'd post my take on this year's two deep just so that the debate doesn't stop while I'm on vacation. Eight short days away.
QB: Sedale Threatt, Kevin Marshall
RB: Marques Thompson *or* Matt McGowan *or* Josh Pastore (rotated)
FB: Greg Fay, John Piascik
TE: Landon Maggs, Joe Sutherland
LT: Jimmy Kehs, Patrick Casey
LG: Jim Petrucelli, Colin Hewko
C: John Reese, Pete Morelli
RG: Kevin Bayani, Colin Hewko
RT: Jason Russell, Pete Morelli
WR1: Lee Thomas, Frank Trovato
WR2: Pete Donchez, Sekou Yansane
WR3: Mike Fitzgerald, Kevin Ackler
DE: Paul Fabre, Brian Jackson
DT: Royce Morgan, Paul Bode
NT: Erik Rakus, Ted Smith
LOLB: Bradley Thomas, Matt Cohen
MLB: Travis Stinson, Justin Weaver
MLB: Rusty Campion, Micah Greene
ROLB: Matt Mohler, Al Pierce
LCB: Brannan Thomas, Daynin Blake
SS: Courtney Elder, Brendan VanAckeren
FS: Julian Austin, Laquan Gasaway
RCB: Julian Ahye, Aaron Gilliard
P/K: John Leo
PR: Aaron Gilliard
KR: Richard Forman, Brian Tucker
See you Wednesday. Eight friggin' days.
Comments
DT- Brian Jackson 6'1 250
Kyle Adams 6'3 260
NT- Eric Rakus 6'0 250
John Warren 6'1 260
DT- John Fabre 6'2 260
Keith Johnson 6'4 240
It's not a bad starting line, just very little depth. One Bode and Morgan return it'll be a very good DL with great depth. They just got to survive the first 3 games hopefully.
Go Engineers!!!!!!!!!!!