MU football for Sunday April 1/spring practice begins
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
WEST LONG BRANCH … The wait could be over for Monmouth University quarterback Brett Burke.
The redshirt junior, a Wall High School graduate, heads the list of Monmouth hopefuls to be under center when the Hawks launch their 2007 season 6 p.m. Sept. 1 at the University of Maine.
""You have to wait your turn,'' said Burke, a back up the last two years behind Brick Memorial product Brian Boland who ended a spectacular four year career as Monmouth's all-time leader in numerous categories.
""Coming out this spring nothing is set in stone,'' said Burke Saturday after the Hawks concluded their first of 15 spring practices at cool, windy Kessler Field.
""You've got to come out every day and compete, we're all trying to get better, that's the main goal,'' he said.
Other quarterback candidates include Fordham University transfer Matt Fullam, a junior, sophomore Anew Mandeville (Raritan), redshirt freshman Ryan Folsam, and junior Kyle Brando (Red Bank Catholic).
Burke was usually listed as No. 2 on the team's quarterback depth chart the past two seasons. He is the only one of the candidates to have thrown a collegiate pass completing 14 of 22 passes for 122 yards in mop up roles.
He said he had a good relationship with Boland on and off the field. ""You learned more from him by watching him, he's not really a big talker,'' said Burke. ""He just leads by example. That's what he did and it was great to be able to watch him my first three years, see the way he handles himself and plays the game.''
Burke believes his experience will serve him well. ""I remember my first days - Ryan and some of the younger guys are going through it now - you've got to think about the play and then you screw up a simple throw,'' said Burke. ""Being here a longer time it's good to have a good grasp of the offense and be able to come out and play.''
Returning leading receiver Adam San Miguel said Burke has more arm strength than you'd expect from someone 5-11, 175 pounds. ""When he slings that ball it usually comes out like a million miles an hour, you've really got to be ready for it,'' said San Miguel.
San Miguel said Boland's poise in the pocket reminds him of Boland. ""He's good leader,''said Miguel. ""He keeps his poise about him. I think that's his best asset.''
Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan said Burke, ""is obviously at the front of the (quarterback) group.
""He has the most experience, he has the lead going in,'' said Callahan. ""It'll be interesting to see how it sorts itself out.''
NOTES...Practice resumes 12 p.m. today at Kessler Field. The spring drills will include full scrimmages with officials on Sept. 15 and Sept. 22...Monmouth will have to replace nine starters on a defensive unit that was No. 2 or 3 in total defense in the Northeast Conference over the last three years and No. 1 in scoring defense twice...Monmouth incoming freshmen from Manasquan, center Jim Sullivan and tackle Alex Iachetta, attended the practice along with Sullivan's father, Barry, a Manasquan assistant coach.
More comments that I did not have room for in the story -
More Burke: ""All anyone can ask for is a chance. That's what we're all doing, the five of us (q back candidates). We're out here competing. Whoever starts at quarterback next year is going to do good job I think.''
Burke on San Miguel's return: ""That's definitely a boost for us. Adam had a great year last year. He's working hard and I think he's even going to have better year next year.''
San Miguel on Burke's arm strength: ""Sometimes it catches you off guard, you've got to get your head around.''
San Miguel on breaking passing catching records of yardage and receptions set by Miles Austin: "I want those. The W comes first. Whatever after that is all icing on the cake.''
Callahan in general: "I think we have a lot of good players at all postions and I think threre's going to be a lot of competition. I think we're a very talented team but in terms of experience a very young team.
Callahan on the defense: ""Fron an experience stand point we're very young.''
Callahan on offense "Much more experience with three or four All-Conference players returning and guys who've played a lot of football. There are still some positions we need to replace people.
Callahan: "I'm excited about this spring, I'm excited about this fall being that there could be so many new faces in the lineup.''
Injury updates: from Callahan and or trainer Doug Padron -
PK Fred Weingart (ACL) - expected to resume full kicking this summer
PK: Mike Pizzulli (knee surgery) - should be resume full practice soon.
QB Mandeville (shoulder surgery) - will be doing more and more throwing during spring practice .
WR Steve Downs (ankle sprain): did not practice Saturday.
WR Nick Romeo (stitches in head from accident during basketball intra murals) - should return to practice shortly
Also: Junior Andrew Musick is the only experienced center in camp so red-shirt frosh Shawn Wright..who played a little center and guard last year before being hurt, and guard Bob Skellinger , ""will be doing some snapping (in the spring),'' Callahan said.
My take: with the position being so thin, especially in true centers, Sullivan may have a shot to play as a freshman.
Also: Iachetta told me he would like to red shirt.
And also: Redfshirt frosh John Daniels appears to be the leading candidate at punter. He and Ken Amsel are the only punters in camp I believe.
My take on the QB position:
It's Burke's to lose - No. 2 between Fullam and Folsom.
RBs: Dave Sinisi is No. 1. Ryan Skorupka and Bobby Giles will see action.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com.
STAFF WRITER
WEST LONG BRANCH … The wait could be over for Monmouth University quarterback Brett Burke.
The redshirt junior, a Wall High School graduate, heads the list of Monmouth hopefuls to be under center when the Hawks launch their 2007 season 6 p.m. Sept. 1 at the University of Maine.
""You have to wait your turn,'' said Burke, a back up the last two years behind Brick Memorial product Brian Boland who ended a spectacular four year career as Monmouth's all-time leader in numerous categories.
""Coming out this spring nothing is set in stone,'' said Burke Saturday after the Hawks concluded their first of 15 spring practices at cool, windy Kessler Field.
""You've got to come out every day and compete, we're all trying to get better, that's the main goal,'' he said.
Other quarterback candidates include Fordham University transfer Matt Fullam, a junior, sophomore Anew Mandeville (Raritan), redshirt freshman Ryan Folsam, and junior Kyle Brando (Red Bank Catholic).
Burke was usually listed as No. 2 on the team's quarterback depth chart the past two seasons. He is the only one of the candidates to have thrown a collegiate pass completing 14 of 22 passes for 122 yards in mop up roles.
He said he had a good relationship with Boland on and off the field. ""You learned more from him by watching him, he's not really a big talker,'' said Burke. ""He just leads by example. That's what he did and it was great to be able to watch him my first three years, see the way he handles himself and plays the game.''
Burke believes his experience will serve him well. ""I remember my first days - Ryan and some of the younger guys are going through it now - you've got to think about the play and then you screw up a simple throw,'' said Burke. ""Being here a longer time it's good to have a good grasp of the offense and be able to come out and play.''
Returning leading receiver Adam San Miguel said Burke has more arm strength than you'd expect from someone 5-11, 175 pounds. ""When he slings that ball it usually comes out like a million miles an hour, you've really got to be ready for it,'' said San Miguel.
San Miguel said Boland's poise in the pocket reminds him of Boland. ""He's good leader,''said Miguel. ""He keeps his poise about him. I think that's his best asset.''
Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan said Burke, ""is obviously at the front of the (quarterback) group.
""He has the most experience, he has the lead going in,'' said Callahan. ""It'll be interesting to see how it sorts itself out.''
NOTES...Practice resumes 12 p.m. today at Kessler Field. The spring drills will include full scrimmages with officials on Sept. 15 and Sept. 22...Monmouth will have to replace nine starters on a defensive unit that was No. 2 or 3 in total defense in the Northeast Conference over the last three years and No. 1 in scoring defense twice...Monmouth incoming freshmen from Manasquan, center Jim Sullivan and tackle Alex Iachetta, attended the practice along with Sullivan's father, Barry, a Manasquan assistant coach.
More comments that I did not have room for in the story -
More Burke: ""All anyone can ask for is a chance. That's what we're all doing, the five of us (q back candidates). We're out here competing. Whoever starts at quarterback next year is going to do good job I think.''
Burke on San Miguel's return: ""That's definitely a boost for us. Adam had a great year last year. He's working hard and I think he's even going to have better year next year.''
San Miguel on Burke's arm strength: ""Sometimes it catches you off guard, you've got to get your head around.''
San Miguel on breaking passing catching records of yardage and receptions set by Miles Austin: "I want those. The W comes first. Whatever after that is all icing on the cake.''
Callahan in general: "I think we have a lot of good players at all postions and I think threre's going to be a lot of competition. I think we're a very talented team but in terms of experience a very young team.
Callahan on the defense: ""Fron an experience stand point we're very young.''
Callahan on offense "Much more experience with three or four All-Conference players returning and guys who've played a lot of football. There are still some positions we need to replace people.
Callahan: "I'm excited about this spring, I'm excited about this fall being that there could be so many new faces in the lineup.''
Injury updates: from Callahan and or trainer Doug Padron -
PK Fred Weingart (ACL) - expected to resume full kicking this summer
PK: Mike Pizzulli (knee surgery) - should be resume full practice soon.
QB Mandeville (shoulder surgery) - will be doing more and more throwing during spring practice .
WR Steve Downs (ankle sprain): did not practice Saturday.
WR Nick Romeo (stitches in head from accident during basketball intra murals) - should return to practice shortly
Also: Junior Andrew Musick is the only experienced center in camp so red-shirt frosh Shawn Wright..who played a little center and guard last year before being hurt, and guard Bob Skellinger , ""will be doing some snapping (in the spring),'' Callahan said.
My take: with the position being so thin, especially in true centers, Sullivan may have a shot to play as a freshman.
Also: Iachetta told me he would like to red shirt.
And also: Redfshirt frosh John Daniels appears to be the leading candidate at punter. He and Ken Amsel are the only punters in camp I believe.
My take on the QB position:
It's Burke's to lose - No. 2 between Fullam and Folsom.
RBs: Dave Sinisi is No. 1. Ryan Skorupka and Bobby Giles will see action.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com.
posted by Tony Graham at 2:41 PM
8 Comments:
Guess we're not in a football mode.
CORRECTION - to my story. Fullam has played college football. Was the No. 2 q back at Fordham in 2005 and appeared in seven games. Looks like he went 14-39-3, for 152 yards and 1 TD....my apololgies.
Player G Effic. Att-Cmp-Int Pct. Yds TD Lg Avg/G
Derric Daniels 11 89.14 234-114-12 48.7 1176 6 86 106.9
Matt Fullam 7 61.71 39-14-3 35.9 152 1 37 21.7
Tony,
One more hole to fill in the O-Line as Matt Connolly it seems is not elligible to play next year as previously thought.
If that is accurate Joe Stodolak (6-4, 270, Jr.) was listed as the back up last year and there are a number of red shirt freshmen already in camp.
Tony- what does the rest of our league and non conference games look like?
other than Bolland, what is the biggest loss to graduation?
And, with a new QB with different skill sets ie.stronger arm?; any changes to the offensive scheme?
Schedule from the MU web site...more there with quotes from KC...
If you are not aware the defense took a giant hit with the loss of nine starters except for OLB T.J. Cerezo and CB Ayo Falae..
Assuming Burke is the QB (or wheover it is) I don't think the offense will change a whole lot..Burke has a stronger arm than most people think.. though not a scrambler is also a capabale runner... but is not as imposing as a physical presence...
With a mostly veteran O line and some good RBS you may see a little more emphasis on running the ball..that would be my guess though we are still pretty far out from kick off..
2007 Monmouth Hawks Football Schedule
09/01 at Maine 6 p.m.
09/15 St. Peter’s 1 p.m.
09/22 at Stony Brook 1 p.m.
09/29 at Delaware TBA
10/6 * at Sacred Heart 1 p.m.
10/13 * WAGNER 1 p.m.
10/20 * ROBERT MORRIS 1 p.m.
10/27 * at CCSU 1 p.m.
11/3 * at St. Francis (PA) 1 p.m.
11/10 * ALBANY 1 p.m.
11/17 DUQUESNE 12 p.m.
* Denotes NEC contest
CAPS indicates a home game
What impact will the running backs have on this years season?
Sinsi would appear to be a given. Skorupka and Giles may compliment each other. I think running game will be solid..and who knows who may come on and surprise as Sinsi did last year.
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