Some Blakeney quotes from Monday

August 25, 2008

By Drew Champlin

Not sure if they’ll make it into tomorrow’s story, but didn’t want them to go to waste.

Needless to say, he’s not happy about opening up with a conference foe, especially when the Trojans can only dress 66 players (according to what he was saying).

“I’m bothered about that,“ Blakeney said. “Normally, we play (a conference team) in the fifth game. It’s easier to have it to 66 in October than we can in October. I’m not real fond of it, but we’ll try to deal with it and eke out a win.“

Big concern?

“The kicking game. They’ve got all their guys back. We don’t have our guy back,“ Blakeney said.

His guy from last year is Greg Whibbs, MTSU’s best kicker I believe is junior David Defatta. Replacing Whibbs is Michael Taylor in kickoffs, Sam Glusman with field goals and extra points and Will Goggans at punter. Jorrick Calvin will return punts. DuJuan Harris and Jerrel Jernigan will return kicks.

“The element of advantage for them is the kicking game with the guys they’ve got coming back,“ Blakeney said. “We’re very green there. No matter who we put out there, they are first-timers in college football. You’ve got to kick it in a game before anybody knows if you can kick.“

On the offense.

“Jamie (Hampton) has demonstrated that he’s the top guy (at QB),“ Blakeney said. “He separated himself with his accuracy and his run ability. We need to be able to hang our hat on the offensive line.“

On the Palladium trophy, which Troy has held since 2006.

“I’m sure it means a lot to these guys,“ Blakeney said. “It never leaves my offense when we are in possession of the trophy.“

A couple of Monday notes

By Drew Champlin

Was talking to coaches and players here at Troy for the weekly media day and here’s a few things that I know.

As of right now, freshman RB Chris Anderson isn’t making the trip. He still hasn’t been cleared by the NCAA and they may know something Tuesday, but the plan is for DuJuan Harris and Maurice Greer to get most, if not all, of the RB reps. Fernandus Edwards is the No. 3 guy and if all three go down, they’ll keep someone like Nate Nolin in the backfield at all times, but he’ll get to play some anyway.

Also, tight end Donnie Crosby won’t play this season. He, like linebacker Kanorris Davis, apparently didn’t finish all their required classwork and Troy officials found that out late in fall camp. They were allowed to practice for a certain number of days. Crosby was a talk early in camp because he brought physicalness to the position, but if he hangs around, he’ll likely have just one year to play. Josh Jarboe, obviously, is still ineligible and as of 2 p.m., Blakeney said they hadn’t heard back, though an espn.com report said he will sit out (it did not list a source). Nothing different than what I’ve been telling you. I doubt he plays this year, though, so the report could be right.

Remember that defensive end commitment rivals.com was telling you guys about? His name is Jonathan Massaquoi, from Butler Co. CC in Kansas. Turns out, he’ll be at Troy, but not next year. He’s slated to enroll in 2010, since this is his freshman year of JUCO. Very minimal chance he could bust it in the classroom and get here next year, but that’s not likely. So, right now, we’ll leave Troy’s commitment class at 4, not including grayshirts.

Starter at RG could be junior Steven Adams, who is first string right now ahead of Wes Potter, but that’s a gametime decision. Both will play.

Working on a notebook for tomorrow on Troy’s youth at skill positions. You’ll also read about Jorrick Calvin‘s thoughts on MTSU, which he said cooled on him then tried to pick their recruitment of him back up when they found out Troy was involved. Also, Wes Potter answers questions on his Heisman campaign.

Don’t forget Dothan Eagle Trojan Chat Tuesday at 8 p.m. CST after you’ve had a nice dose of Trojan Talk hosted by Barry McKnight.

I’m on the radio at 8:35 a.m. CST with John Longshore and Barry McKnight on Sportsline in Montgomery Tuesday morning. That link should enable you to listen live.

Time to get in gear, plus a couple of notes

August 24, 2008

By Drew Champlin

Thanks to Tropical Storm Fay, I chose not to brave the waters and make the 3.5-hour trip northwest to visit family, but I tried to get away from the mentality of work for brief span, though that never happens for news reporters.

Was checking the game notes, and then clarified this through Ricky Hazel. True freshman linebacker Kanorris Davis is not eligible to play this year. He was pretty highly-rated coming out of high school among most of the Troy recruits, but there was a question with his classwork and he can’t even practice. He’s in school, but basically a Prop student, meaning he can’t practice or play. Davis was there during the summer and he looks the part physically, but had yet to pass some other youngsters on the linebacker depth chart.

Still nothing has changed with true freshman running back Chris Anderson’s situation, but I imagine it will end up being something similar if he is not cleared. Tight end Donnie Crosby is awaiting clearance as well, and waiting for a JUCO grade. He’s way back on the tight end depth chart, but could have been used in blocking situations. Not sure about Michael Ricks, but you’d figure if you haven’t heard by now, he won’t be playing. Josh Jarboe’s status is still the same - awaiting appeal to play this year.

Checking around the internet, rivals.com lists defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi of Butler County CC in Kansas as a commitment. He was a sign and place back in 2007 and since rivals.com doesn’t like getting scooped in commitments, I’ll trust that they’re right, but I haven’t checked on recruits in a couple of weeks. He would make five known verbal commitments for the 2009 class (OT Nate Newland, DT Eugene Kinlaw from JUCOs, OT Jay Stansberry and DT Montavious Williams from high schools).

Look at Troy’s defensive starters and I could see a lot of JUCO signees on defense for the next class.

Also, let’s have our Dothan Eagle Trojan Chat TUESDAY at 8 p.m CST. I’d like to do it every Thursday, but since the game is on Thursday and I’ll be traveling Wednesday night, Tuesday will be the best chance this week and I assume Trojan Talk will be over then. We’ll chat for an hour or so.

On the pro side, some bad news for Osi, who suffered a bad knee injury in a preseason game. We should hear on former Trojan standouts’ pro chances this week and next as rosters start to get cut down.

Friday links and update

August 21, 2008

By Drew Champlin

I wrote a feature on Danny Franks, Troy’s junior center.

From the Tampa Tribune, a Media General publication, a very good feature on Elbert Mack. It should be on our newsbank and maybe it can run in Sunday’s print edition of the Dothan Eagle.

Also, I’ll be taking the next three days off before football season really kicks into high gear. I’ll be back Monday to get started with the weekly media luncheons, and have several things planned for the blog, as well as daily coverage in the newspaper and online.

Whenever possible, I’ll have Monday tidbits, if anything newsworthy comes out. We’ll have weekly chats (see below), but times will be TBD due to Troy’s weird schedule. Usually, the time will be 8 p.m. CST, but next week will likely be on Tuesday. Also, a Know Your Coach (getting to know assistant coaches), some Trojan trivia based on games I’ve been covering over the last three years, and weekly Q and As with beat writers of Troy opponents.

Tuesday mornings around 8:35 p.m. CST, I chat about Troy on the radio with John and Barry on Sportsline. That link enables you to listen live.

Thursday night chat link

August 20, 2008

By Drew Champlin

We had a nice 1-hour chat Thursday night. Thanks to all who stopped by, participated, or just viewed. Chat replay is available below in case you weren’t able to join us.