Thursday links

July 30, 2008

By Drew Champlin

Looks like I’ve got two football stories for you today. Wasn’t sure when the second one would run.

First, your practice report, leading with Troy motivated from last season’s late loss.

Also, a little off-the-field story on Troy’s new way to scoot around campus.

It’s really a hoot seeing all those scooters chained to the gate in the walkway of the fieldhouse. If I can get a picture next week when I go back, I’ll post it. If anyone else has one, please e-mail it to as a JPG and I’ll try to get it posted here.

First day practice quick hits

By Drew Champlin

Alright, was at practice but was also working upstairs on a story during practice, so I didn’t see everything. Maybe Taylor Bryan of the TroyTrojans.com blogosphere did. (Side note: my favorite blog from the Troy official web site is this one.

It’s funny, wideout Mykeal Terry suffered the first injury of camp and he was quick to let everyone know. Don’t worry, it was just a cut of the hand.

From what I could gather, the QBs looked decent early, but faltered late. On some 11-on-11 work I saw late, offensive coordinator Neal Brown had pulled backup Levi Brown (no relation) out. Starter Jamie Hampton was intercepted on back-to-back plays by Terence Moore and Chris Bowens. Good for the CBs, as Bowens made a pretty good play on a ball that wasn’t very well thrown, outjumping Fred Turner.

Dan Parker came in with the 3s and looked every bit like a freshman, but he showed some flashes.

“Dan Parker’s a fast joker,“ one onlooker said.

Now, I’m hoping the numbers I’m listing are right, because some defensive guys have the same numbers during practice. Parker led the 3s, and Brandon Boudreaux bulled past freshman Jacob Creech for a “sack” On the next play, Jacoby Thomas intercepted Parker and would have had a score. Bear in mind this was the third group.

Blakeney singled out, from what I can remember, corners Trevor Ford, Chris Bowens and Jorrick Calvin, punter Will Goggans, nickelback Terence Moore, both safeties Sherrod Martin and Tavares Williams. Of the freshmen, he had some good stuff to say about wideout Chip Reeves. Reeves is very fast and once he gets his technique down, he’s got a chance to be very good.

Wish I could be here for every practice, but I should be back for a full-padder next week.

What’s going on at practice right now?

By Drew Champlin

From my view from up above, a bunch of passing drills. Hard to tell who looks great and who’s struggling, since all these practices are a marathon, but I think a guy that could have a big year is junior wideout Cornelius Williams. He made a couple of nice catches. He and Austin Silvoy will catch a lot of balls from the Y-receiver spot this year.

I talked to wideout Mykeal Terry, who gave some great quotes that will run in a Thursday story on the focus of practice after last year’s disappointing end to a great season. I’ll be sure to link that when it comes online.

I’m about to head down to the field again. Practice is open to the public and I saw a few fans sitting in the stands.

Opening day of practice

By Drew Champlin

I’ll be in attendance at Troy’s practice tonight. Since it’s not until Sunday that they can go full pads, there’s really not a lot you can tell from the fi rst couple of practices. For instance, no one knows how good the new running backs like Maurice Greer, TJ Mitchell and Chris Anderson will be from what happens today and tomorrow. But, there are still storylines and stuff to write about.

Here’s a few that I’m looking at. Let me know what you might be interested in.

How many newcomers will play significant roles?

I would say around 5. I keep hearing good things from players about cornerback Jorrick Calvin, and I predict he ends up a starter. With the cornerback situation in limbo, even JUCO transfer Kedric Manning could wrap up a starting spot. Freshman Bryan Willis will get a look. Safeties Michael Ricks (if he gets eligible) and Daniel Sheffield probably won’t start, but would see time since three seniors depart after this year. At running back, you’ll see Greer play for sure. Anderson and Mitchell it depends on how well they pick things up, since they’re freshmen. I expect WRs Chip Reeves and Tebiarus Gill to play. Defensive end Mario Addison is an interesting question - he was pretty good last year in JUCO, but could he redshirt if the three top guys coming back (Lang, Sheffield, Mainor) are healthy? Defensive tackles Anthony Shaw and Tim Lamb will get looks.

What about the kicking game?

Head coach Larry Blakeney just wants someone who can kick it through the uprights. Redshirt freshman Michael Taylor is the likely guy, but Sam Glusman is back with the team and is known for his accuracy on shorter kicks. The biggest problem is at punter, where redshirt freshman Will Goggans has to prove he can be the man with a regular kicking scheme. If not, they’ll have to rugby it again.

Will Jamie Hampton get pushed?

Hampton has grown an inch and gained about 25 pounds of muscle last year. From talking to him this summer, he definitely looks the part, and guys are praising his leadership skills. How will that translate onto the field, and will guys like Levi Brown and Tanner Jones make a run for his spot? Freshman Dan Parker will get a look because of his athleticism. It will be interesting to see how he throws the ball.

Keep coming back for more Troy football discussion.

Of note, Troy lost out on a couple of recruits when DT Tim McGee said he’d go to Memphis after not being able to get into Minnesota. He visited Troy last week and is eligible this fall. WR Conner Vernon (Miami, Fla.) committed to Duke and Troy was a real possibility with him (source: rivals.com)

Wednesday link

July 29, 2008

By Drew Champlin

Troy starts practice Wednesday, though with a big chance of rain, I’m not sure how much they will get done.

Here is my feature on Maurice Greer, one of Troy’s newest players. If you know, he overcame testicular cancer.

Greer and I did talk a little football, and some of that didn’t quite make the story. Here’s some additional quotes from the 20-minute interview.

Do you think you can get back to where you were pre-cancer?
“Sometimes, I think about if I’m ever going to be what I used to be. I was in top shape before. I was weighin 210, a weight I was comfortable playing at. I was working toward that, and I know Troy’s the best place for me to do that.“

What kind of running back are you?
“A lot of people like to think that because I’m big now that I’m a power back. I don’t look at it like that. I look at it as an all-purpose back. I’m physical, I’m a good blocking back, I can catch and I can tote it about 20-something times a game. I’m not just a goal line back. I’m pretty much a playmaker.“

How much are you looking forward to practice?
“I’m just looking forward to coming in and contributing. I think coach made the right decision by offering me a scholarship to come here and play for him. It’s an honor.“
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Also, the Wiregrass, especially the Midland City community, was rocked by the sad news of Dale County head football coach Todd Horne’s passing. He was in a wreck with four other coaches. Three are fine, a fourth, Chad McKnight, is still in the hospital so keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

I post this because there’s not many more quality people you’ll meet than Horne and McKnight, from my dealings with them. Our sports department took it pretty hard too because we all liked Horne. Horne is also a Troy University graduate, though he didn’t play football.

We covered the situation, as bad as it was, pretty good. Here’s a story on the community’s reaction. Also, Jon Johnson talked with one of Horne’s best friends for a story. and told us how Horne was remembered for more than as a coach.