 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Karl Rofkar Media Day 2007 took place in the Glass Bowl on Friday, Aug. 3. I’m sure the players were glad to just be out there for photos and interviews, since it was sweltering on the artificial turf. In spite of over-90 degree temperatures, players and coaches were in great spirits throughout the 2 hour event. The Rockets sported new home uniforms for their pictures, which included subtle changes to the contrast striping of the pants and jerseys. Also changed were the players names on the back of the jerseys…there weren’t any. Whether this is going to be the case for the season or not, I do not know yet. Another question for another day. Coach Tom Amstutz, in reply to an observation that the Rockets looked pretty good at their first practice of the 2007 campaign, said “They looked that much better this morning. I’m very pleased with where we are right now.” He said the players have worked hard in the off-season and he’s excited to get going again. Included among this year’s Graduate Assistant Coaches is a friendly face: former ILB Anthony “AJ” Jordan. AJ’s smile said it all on Friday; he’s really happy to be out there with the players. He misses playing of course, but “getting practice started makes it a lot easier.” Competition at quarterback is, of course, going to be the big story during the preseason as the Rockets try to settle on a starter for the 2007 campaign. Clint Cochran had off-season surgery on his wounded knee and is back to full go, saying it was a nagging injury, “but I’m healthy now, and that’s all that matters.” He feels one of his strengths is that fact that he’s been in the system for 4 years now, improving his grasp of the offense and being able to do some things at the line of scrimmage that help his team. Aaron Opelt, who filled in when Cochran was hurt last season, played with some adversity as well, not the least of which was a broken bone in his non-throwing hand suffered in his first game against McNeese State. When asked about that mysterious white thing on his left hand last year, Opelt commented that “It’ll definitely feel good to play without a cast this year...it kind of limited me a little bit last year, but it’s healed up and I haven’t lost any range of motion or anything, so I’m ready to get after it”. The rumors are true too: the sophomore has put on a solid 10lbs or so and looks to be in great shape. Every year, the team sets goals and this year is no different. As for Opelt, he’s working hard to position himself to be the #1 QB, as is Cochran. They bring some different things to the table, and the coaches will have their work cut out for them deciding on the starter in a few weeks. Aaron’s stated goal is to be a better all-around quarterback. He’s worked hard in spring practices and summer workouts to pick up more, learn more, and is confident that extra work will help. Defensive Coordinator Tim Rose was good enough to discuss his charges for a few minutes. While he is seemingly always upbeat, Rose seems very excited with the prospects for the upcoming season. Toledo fans have been fortunate to see some great ILB combos in past year, and while those familiar names are gone, the men in the middle of the Rocket defense have a year under their belts and a load of experience along with good depth. Asked about the graduation loss of Mike Alston, for instance, Rose replied that, “as a coach, you try to fit your system to the players you’ve got.” The defense last year took advantage of Alston’s abilities and this year’s defense will look to take advantage of others’. “We’ve got some linemen who can rush on their own, and we have some backers who can play. It’s an evolution of what your players can do and what you’ve got to defend.” Rose is very confident in the “quality and quantity” he’s got at linebacker, saying it may be “the best since I’ve been here.” Coach Rose looks for Greg Hay to pick up where he left off last season and have a big year for the Rockets. As for the defensive line, a concern to everyone a couple of short years ago, Rose says the recruiting has picked up in that regard, and he’s confident that we’ll be seeing “six to nine guys rotating in and flying around”. As seniors, expect to see a lot of Sean Williamson and Tyree Pollard, who has trimmed his big frame to look like a real force. Rose said Pollard is “an incredibly improved football player from a performance and leadership [standpoint] since I got here in ’05 and he was elected captain this year, so we’re excited about him.” Addressing the secondary, in classic understatement, he said “I think we’ve got a chance.” The big question mark for Rose is sorting out the talent among the backups. Counting down the days, Coach said “we’ve got 36 nights to get that sorted out.” The starting CBs and Safeties, he said, “we really like those guys a lot.” As summer drills continues, we’ll be talking to as many players and coaches as possible to keep up with progress. Twenty-seven nights… Have a question or comment for Karl? Email |