TOWSON, Md. - Coach Rob Ambrose and the Tiger football team will start preparations for the 2010 season when the Tigers open their pre-season practice sessions on Thursday, August 5.
In preparation for his second season as the Tigers' coach, Coach Ambrose welcomes more than 80 candidates to pre-season camp. The Tigers are scheduled to practice 23 times over the next three weeks leading up to the start of classes. They are also scheduled to hold several scrimmages.
The Tigers' pre-season practice sessions are not open to the public.
Towson opens its season on Thursday, September 2 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.
"We are very excited to get going," says Coach Ambrose. "We have been working towards this since our season ended last November."
The Tiger coach is confident that the 2010 Tigers will be a much different team that suffered a myriad of injuries last season.
"Mentally, we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year at this time," says Coach Ambrose. "We are getting better. Last season was a learning experience. Our players understand the kind of effort it takes to be competitive on a consistent basis against great competition.
"I told our team that this is a 'good news, bad news' situation," he added. "The good news is that we are getting better. The bad news is that we still have a way to go."
In his first season as the coach, the Tigers were making significant progress at the halfway mark of the year. After five games, the Tigers had a 2-3 record and were coming off a dramatic 36-28 win at Rhode Island.
Then, a rash of injuries halted the progress. For the most part, the Tiger coaching staff spent each week trying to field a competitive team.
"It was unbelievable," recalls the coach. "None of our coaches had ever seen anything like it. In the final five games, we were scrambling just to put an offensive line out there. I think we started ten different offensive linemen and one of those linemen was a defensive tackle who switched to offense midway through the season."
One of the Tigers' most significant injuries happened to quarterback Peter Athens, The starter in the Tigers' first six games, Athens suffered a season-ending knee injury against Delaware.
With Athens directing the offense in the first five games, the Tigers averaged 17.4 points and 277.6 yards of total offense per game. In the final six games, the Tigers were held to 10.2 points and 229.0 yards per game. He completed 59 of 112 passes for 691 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 132 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown.
"Pete was really coming along at the time of his injury," Ambrose says. "We were all excited at the progress he was making. When he got hurt, it really hindered our growth."
As a result of Athens' injury, the Tigers go into the pre-season with a quarterback competition.
Athens will be competing with junior transfer Chris Hart, sophomore Brian Potts and senior Jeremy Jayne for playing time at quarterback.
"We are a better football team," Ambrose says. "Most of our players did very well in the off-season workouts and we had a good Spring. Our level of talent has improved and we have more depth. We now have quality, intelligent depth."
Part of the reason for the improved depth is the addition of 14 "red shirt" freshmen. Of the 14 "red shirt" freshmen, six are offensive linemen and three are defensive linemen.
"We have a lot of options on the offensive line," says Ambrose. "We are excited about our new guys and we are pleased with the progress that our veterans have made. There will be tremendous competition for playing time and that will make everybody better."
Senior offensive center Steve Jordan is the Tigers' most experienced offensive lineman. He started 20 games in a row until he was injured last season. Coach Ambrose is hopeful that he can fully recover from the injuries that sidelined him for the final six games of the 2009 season and the entire Spring.
Unlike last season, the Tigers have some depth at center behind Jordan. A pair of "red-shirt" freshmen, Anthony Davis and Doug Shaw will be competing for playing time, along with sophomore Colin Bass (6-6, 265), a versatile lineman who can also play guard.
At left guard, junior Dan Hurley has the inside track on the starting position. A starter in six games last year, Hurley was clearly one of the team's most improved players in the Spring. Senior Chuck Taylor, who started seven games last season, and Charles Johnson, a "red shirt" freshman, will also compete for playing time.
At right guard, junior John Esposito is battling Chris Ritter for the starting position. One of the Tigers' most experienced linemen, Ritter appeared in all 11 games and started six times last season. In his career, he has played in 33 games and made 19 starts. Jamie Caldwell, a "red shirt" freshman, will also compete for time at right guard.
Junior Henry Glackin, a two-year starter at left tackle, will move to right tackle this season, taking the place of the graduated Dan Bridges, a four-year starter. A very strong lineman, Glackin started for most of his freshman season. He missed the final seven games of the 2009 season due to an injury. Junior Derek Cardaci, who transferred from Middle Tennessee prior to last season, will also play left tackle. Junior Ben Hunolt , a converted defensive lineman, provides additional depth.
A very talented "red shirt" freshman, Eric Pike, is the leading candidate to start at left tackle. Honored as the Tigers' Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 2009, Pike was very impressive in the Spring. Cardaci and Hunolt will back up Pike at the left tackle position.
Coach Ambrose says, "Our offensive line is much stronger than last year. We have improved the quality of our depth considerably."
One of the Tigers' gaping holes is the tight end position. Graduation claimed three-year starter John Godlasky and the Tigers are still searching for a replacement.
Versatile senior Ryan Hanley played well in the Spring and could claim the starting position. He has also played offensive guard and fullback in his college career. Sophomore Mike Evans and first-year freshman Daniel Vaughan will also be vying for playing time.
The Tigers' corps of wide receivers was also depleted by graduation as two of the top three receivers left.
Senior Hakeem Moore returns as the Tigers' most experienced receiver. Last year, he led the team with 28 receptions for 286 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 33 kickoffs for a 22.5 average. With 1,046 all-purpose yards, he was third in the Colonial Athletic Association. In his career, Moore has 77 receptions for 838 yards and two touchdowns. He also has 2,069 all-purpose yards in his career.
Sophomores Erron Banks, Alex Blake and Tom Ryan will be expected to make larger contributions this season.
Last year, Banks caught six passes for 111 yards while Blake had six receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown.
Ryan emerged as a very tough receiver last year. A very physical player with great hands, he caught 18 passes for 190 yards. Ryan did a great job catching the ball in traffic.
Coach Ambrose likes the Tigers' collection of tailbacks. "We are young and deep in the backfield," he says.
Sophomores Tremayne Dameron and Dominique Booker were the Tigers' top rushers last year and they both return. Dameron led the Tigers by rushing for 588 yards on 177 carries. He also scored a team-leading eight touchdowns. Booker, who averaged 4.0 yards per carry, was second on the team. He ran for 218 yards on 55 carries with one TD.
The presence of "red shirt" freshmen B.J. Greening and Nygee Carmichael adds more depth to the Tiger backfield. A talented running back with excellent field vision, Greening should see plenty of action in the backfield. Carmichael gives the Tigers plenty of quickness and a breakaway threat.
Juniors Tyler Wharton and Paul Stefanik are battling for the starting position at fullback while sophomore Billy Stup will also see action.
Sophomore Tommy Chroniger, the Tigers' backup quarterback last season, is held in such high regard by the Tiger coaching staff that he has his own unique position - athlete.
"Tommy is such a versatile athlete that we are going to use him in a number of different roles," says Coach Ambrose. "He could see action at wide receiver, tailback, fullback, H-back, quarterback and tight end. We might also use him as a defensive back at times. He gives us a tremendous amount of flexibility."
Last season, Chroniger ran for 154 yards on 59 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also threw for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
While the Tigers have some vacancies to fill on the offensive unit, they have eight starters returning on the defense.
"We are very pleased with the progress of our defensive line," says Coach Ambrose. "We have a good amount of talent and depth. That could be the strength of our defense."
The Tigers return three starters on the defensive line, including senior tackle Yaky Ibia, a pre-season All-CAA selection. As a junior, Ibia was seventh on the team with 52 tackles in ten games. He led the team and ranked among the CAA leaders with 11.5 tackles for lost yardage. Ibia also had 2.5 quarterback sacks.
Junior Marcus Valentine is coming off an outstanding sophomore year and returns as the starter at the other defensive tackle spot.
A starter in all 11 games last season, he made 35 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for lost yardage. Valentine also had 1.5 sacks.
Juniors Rob Osborne and Armen Melikian will provide depth behind Ibia.
A talented "red shirt" freshman, Arnold Farmer (will serve as Valentine's backup while sophomore Mike Hurley provides additional depth.
Sophomore Frank Beltre returns at one of the defensive end positions after starting seven times in 2009. Named as the Tigers' Special Teams Player of the Year last season, he made 40 tackles. He also had six tackles for lost yardage and two sacks.
A starter in eight games at outside linebacker last year, sophomore Romale Tucker has been moved to defensive end this year. A transfer from Syracuse University, Tucker was sixth on the team with 54 tackles last year. He also made six tackles for lost yardage and had 2.5 sacks. Tucker also forced a pair of fumbles.
Sophomore Matt Morgan also returns at defensive end. He showed plenty of potential last season by making 14 tackles in 11 games. The brother of Tommy Chroniger, "red shirt" freshman Ben Chroniger will also contribute at defensive end, along with sophomore Brian Boateng-Botwe.
The Tigers' linebacking crew will have a much different look. All three of the Tigers' regular starters in 2009 are elsewhere.
Middle linebacker Alex Butt graduated and outside linebacker Danzel White is taking a year off from football. In addition, Tucker has been switched to defensive end.
Junior Chris Patterson is competing with senior Jalan Dudley for the starting role at middle linebacker.
Patterson, who made 38 tackles in 2008, played sparingly last season. However, he did very well in the Spring and should contend for the starting role.
Junior Danny Collins, a two-year starter at safety, has been moved to an outside linebacker position. A starter in all 11 games in 2009, Collins made 66 tackles, second on the team. He also broke up two passes, recovered two fumbles and broke up three passes.
"Danny is a smart player who is very physical and mentally tough," says Coach Ambrose. "He worked very hard in the off-season and made a smooth transition to linebacker in the Spring."
Collins will be backed up by junior Jamie Smith.
Another converted defensive back, junior Josh McCants is competing for the starting role at the outside linebacker position. McCants appeared in ten games last season, mostly as an extra defensive back in long-yardage situations. McCants made 19 tackles and had three sacks with one forced fumble.
Senior Donte Blakey is also vying for playing time. A starter in all 12 games as a sophomore, he started the first four contests last year. He made 17 tackles and recovered a fumble before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He could be an asset to the Tiger defense if he can make a full recovery.
In the secondary, the Tigers are fortunate to have two senior cornerbacks who have been starters since they were freshmen.
Both Jeremy Gardner and Ollie Thomas are smart players who have an abundance of experience.
A starter in all 11 games last season, Gardner was third on the team with 64 tackles. He also broke up four passes, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble. Although he has missed five games in his career due to injuries, Gardner has made 124 tackles. A starter in 28 of 29 career contests, Gardner has two interceptions and he has broken up 11 passes.
"We are expecting a big season from Jeremy," says Ambrose. "He is incredibly talented and he has the size, strength and speed to play professionally."
Sophomore Dwayne Price will back up Gardner at one of the cornerback spots. A first-year freshman in 2009, Price appeared in ten games. He made 15 tackles and broke up three passes.
Thomas, who has started 23 consecutive games, made 47 tackles as a junior. He also broke up three passes and recovered a fumble. In his career, Thomas has played in 34 games and made 27 starts. Over the last three years, he has made 135 tackles with 13 pass breakups and one interception.
"Ollie is a veteran defensive back who has tremendous field vision," says Ambrose. "His experience will be very important to our defensive unit."
Price will also serve as the back-up cornerback behind Thomas.
A talented newcomer, sophomore Jordan Dangerfield is the likely starter at strong safety. A transfer from Hofstra, he played in eight games with one start. Dangerfield made 15 tackles and led the Pride with two interceptions for 54 yards.
A native of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., he transferred to Towson when Hofstra discontinued its football program.
Senior Ray White, who started all 11 games for the Tigers last season, will see action at both safety positions this year. White led the Tigers with three interceptions last year and he made 48 tackles.
Junior Nick Oates, who missed nine games last season with an ankle injury, did well in the Spring and could be the Tigers' starter at weak safety. Senior Chris Sheahin and junior Rob Thomas will provide additional depth.
The Tiger coaching staff did a good job improving the kicking game during the off-season. Senior Nick Wallace transferred to Towson from the University of Maryland and he should be the Tigers' place kicker. Wallace, who played at Indiana (Pa.) in 2006, was the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. He also earned first team All-PSAC honors and was named first team All-Region.
Wallace did an outstanding job at IUP. He made 11 of 13 field goal attempts and converted 30 of 33 extra point tries. After he transferred to Maryland, he never got a chance to kick in a game.
A "red shirt" freshman, Eric Hart is the lone kicker returning from last year. He could handle the punting duties. In addition, the Tigers added freshman place kickers D.J. Soven and Bryce Thompson. Soven joined the Tigers' program from Weston, Fla. while Thompson is a native of Matthews, N.C.
The Tigers' special teams will be working on improving their kickoff coverage this season. Last year, the Tigers allowed 24.4 yards per kickoff return and gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
With the presence of Moore, the Tigers have one of the top kick returners in the CAA. Last season, he tied a school record with 33 kickoff returns and accumulated 744 yards. Moore, who ranked third in the CAA with a 22.5 kickoff return average, was also third in the CAA with 1,064 all-purpose yards.
Moore will probably handle the punt return duties this season although he could share the chores with Gardner.
Banks and Thomas could also return kickoffs this season.
Sheahin is slated to be the Tigers' long snapper again this year while Greening could be the holder on all placements.
"We are very excited about this season," says Ambrose. "The players we have on our team are proud to be Tiger football players and they are willing to do whatever it takes to make this program a winner."
