Post by Colonels Report on Apr 16, 2007 11:21:16 GMT -5
Boone, NC- While the Carolina Colonels have only had 7 practices so far, they have all been filled with energy and enthusiasm, mostly because of the intense battles going down over starting spots on the team. The practices on Thursday were mild in activity, but the competition began to heat up on Friday and Saturday. There have already been several fights that have taken place, as several members of the team reported that a major brawl happened on Saturday between members of the Defensive and Offensive Lines, and with Rookie Middle Linebacker Zak DeOssie. With the fierce action going down, the Colonels Report has decided to look at the top 5 starting positions that will be most heavily contested throughout the 2007 preseason.
#1 Center: - Pat Ross vs. Junius Coston
This has been the most hard fought battle in camp so far, as these two were the catalysts for the fight that involved all the Offensive and Defensive linemen. 4 games into the 2006 season, with the team winless and the offense struggling, Head Coach Norm Chow made the decision to start Pat Ross at Center and move Junius Coston to guard. After this move, the Colonels finished the year 5-3, and the offense moved into the top of the league standing with Jason Brookins leading the way. With Manuel Ramirez, a Rookie from Texas Tech coming to the team, the the Colonels coaching staff has decided to move Coston back to Center. Obviously, this didn't set well with Pat Ross, who feels that the starting position is his, but does welcome the challenge. According to Offensive Line Coach Mike Facteau, " the decision of who will start at Center probably will not be decided until the week of the first regular season game, thats how tight the battle is right now."
Colonels Report Prediction: Ross will be the starting center, but Coston will be all right as he will have a chance to start at Guard, and still backup Ross.
#2 Defensive Tackle: Paul Soliai vs. Claude Wroten vs. Nate Bolling vs. Dusty Dvoracek
While the battle for Defensive Tackle might not have the same amount of intensity as the battle for Center, it certainly is wilder. During Saturday morning's practice a battle-royal style melee erupted between this 4 players during line drills and became larger as members of the Offensive Line joined the fight as well. It took several minutes for the coaching staff to stop the fight, but the jawing and cheap shots continued for the rest of practice. With both Defensive Tackle starting spots open for the taking, expect the fight to rage on for the rest of the season.
Colonels Report Prediction: Claude Wroten and Nate Bolling should retain their starting spots, but Defensive Coordinator Ray Agnew, who also coaches the D-Line should continue his practice of rotating linemen, so expect to see Dusty Dvoracek and Paul Soliai to get plenty of chances to play. Another interesting note here is the condition of Dusty Dvoracek, who did undergo Anger Management while at the University of Oklahoma, and if his Anger will remain under control for the rest of camp.
#3 Middle Linebacker: Zachary DeOssie vs. Ryan Fowler
As mentioned before Rookie Zak DeOssie was involved in a fight during Friday's practice, and it was later revealed that it was between him and Fowler. DeOssie, taken in the 3rd round came into camp with a chip on his shoulder, as he plans to show everybody that while he may have came from an Ivy League school (Brown) he has the skills on the gridiron to match his skills in the classroom. Fowler, who has been the starter at Middle Linebacker for his entire career with the Colonels said, " I like the way Zak plays, he has great intensity and can really see the field. But he has to understand one thing, I played my college ball at Duke, so I know what it's like to be underestimated just because of where you played. I've been the starter since day one, and I have no plans of giving it up anytime soon."
Colonels Report Prediction: On paper, this battle appears to go Fowler's way in an easy fashion, but paper can be deceiving. Certainly Fowler has the experience, and that should give him the upper hand, but there have been rumors coming out of the Colonels front office that some members of management were unhappy with Fowler's play last year, as it seemed that he wasn't enough plays as he should. Head Coach Norm Chow has always said that he believes that Fowler is a great player and one of the leaders of a young defensive group. Come opening game, Fowler will be the starter, but this report can't help but wonder what might happen as the season progresses.
# 4 Tight End: Clark Harris vs. Joel Dreessen
An interesting battle at camp that might not even be a competition with any other team, but because the Colonels very rarely use a Tight End, being the starter is the only way to assure playing time. Dreeseen has been getting the majority of the snaps with the first team, but Harris has surprised people with his ability to block and is capable of making the tough catches.
Colonels Report Prediction: Dressen will hold on to his starting role, but don't be surprised to see Harris in short yardage and goal-line situations.
# 5 Guard: Kevin Boothe vs. Manuel Ramirez
Ramirez, a powerhouse guard from Texas Tech, was the Colonels first selection in the draft, and it looks as if he may already have the upper hand on Boothe. It has been reported that Ramirez has out-shined Boothe on nearly every drill so far.
Colonels Report Prediction: Ramirez will definitely move over Boothe on the depth chart, but the there will still be some question of if he will actually start or not. The previously mentioned Center battle between Coston and Ross will have a huge impact on who starts at Guard. If Coston wins out, expect Ramirez to start, but if Ross takes it, Coston should move to Guard as he has the experience to play both positions.
#1 Center: - Pat Ross vs. Junius Coston
This has been the most hard fought battle in camp so far, as these two were the catalysts for the fight that involved all the Offensive and Defensive linemen. 4 games into the 2006 season, with the team winless and the offense struggling, Head Coach Norm Chow made the decision to start Pat Ross at Center and move Junius Coston to guard. After this move, the Colonels finished the year 5-3, and the offense moved into the top of the league standing with Jason Brookins leading the way. With Manuel Ramirez, a Rookie from Texas Tech coming to the team, the the Colonels coaching staff has decided to move Coston back to Center. Obviously, this didn't set well with Pat Ross, who feels that the starting position is his, but does welcome the challenge. According to Offensive Line Coach Mike Facteau, " the decision of who will start at Center probably will not be decided until the week of the first regular season game, thats how tight the battle is right now."
Colonels Report Prediction: Ross will be the starting center, but Coston will be all right as he will have a chance to start at Guard, and still backup Ross.
#2 Defensive Tackle: Paul Soliai vs. Claude Wroten vs. Nate Bolling vs. Dusty Dvoracek
While the battle for Defensive Tackle might not have the same amount of intensity as the battle for Center, it certainly is wilder. During Saturday morning's practice a battle-royal style melee erupted between this 4 players during line drills and became larger as members of the Offensive Line joined the fight as well. It took several minutes for the coaching staff to stop the fight, but the jawing and cheap shots continued for the rest of practice. With both Defensive Tackle starting spots open for the taking, expect the fight to rage on for the rest of the season.
Colonels Report Prediction: Claude Wroten and Nate Bolling should retain their starting spots, but Defensive Coordinator Ray Agnew, who also coaches the D-Line should continue his practice of rotating linemen, so expect to see Dusty Dvoracek and Paul Soliai to get plenty of chances to play. Another interesting note here is the condition of Dusty Dvoracek, who did undergo Anger Management while at the University of Oklahoma, and if his Anger will remain under control for the rest of camp.
#3 Middle Linebacker: Zachary DeOssie vs. Ryan Fowler
As mentioned before Rookie Zak DeOssie was involved in a fight during Friday's practice, and it was later revealed that it was between him and Fowler. DeOssie, taken in the 3rd round came into camp with a chip on his shoulder, as he plans to show everybody that while he may have came from an Ivy League school (Brown) he has the skills on the gridiron to match his skills in the classroom. Fowler, who has been the starter at Middle Linebacker for his entire career with the Colonels said, " I like the way Zak plays, he has great intensity and can really see the field. But he has to understand one thing, I played my college ball at Duke, so I know what it's like to be underestimated just because of where you played. I've been the starter since day one, and I have no plans of giving it up anytime soon."
Colonels Report Prediction: On paper, this battle appears to go Fowler's way in an easy fashion, but paper can be deceiving. Certainly Fowler has the experience, and that should give him the upper hand, but there have been rumors coming out of the Colonels front office that some members of management were unhappy with Fowler's play last year, as it seemed that he wasn't enough plays as he should. Head Coach Norm Chow has always said that he believes that Fowler is a great player and one of the leaders of a young defensive group. Come opening game, Fowler will be the starter, but this report can't help but wonder what might happen as the season progresses.
# 4 Tight End: Clark Harris vs. Joel Dreessen
An interesting battle at camp that might not even be a competition with any other team, but because the Colonels very rarely use a Tight End, being the starter is the only way to assure playing time. Dreeseen has been getting the majority of the snaps with the first team, but Harris has surprised people with his ability to block and is capable of making the tough catches.
Colonels Report Prediction: Dressen will hold on to his starting role, but don't be surprised to see Harris in short yardage and goal-line situations.
# 5 Guard: Kevin Boothe vs. Manuel Ramirez
Ramirez, a powerhouse guard from Texas Tech, was the Colonels first selection in the draft, and it looks as if he may already have the upper hand on Boothe. It has been reported that Ramirez has out-shined Boothe on nearly every drill so far.
Colonels Report Prediction: Ramirez will definitely move over Boothe on the depth chart, but the there will still be some question of if he will actually start or not. The previously mentioned Center battle between Coston and Ross will have a huge impact on who starts at Guard. If Coston wins out, expect Ramirez to start, but if Ross takes it, Coston should move to Guard as he has the experience to play both positions.