|
Post by Aggie One on Apr 19, 2015 7:33:46 GMT -5
Aggies Throw It Around During Annual Spring Game
GREENSBORO – It what was perhaps the best attended Blue-Gold Spring Football Game in recent memory, the assembled Aggie fans at Aggie Stadium got to see a treat for free admission. A&T’s top cornerback Tony McRae and A&T’s top receiver Denzel Keyes did battle for much of the afternoon and it was a display of the best against the best. McRae ended the afternoon with four pass breakups while Keyes made seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. “He’s pretty good isn’t he?” said head coach Rod Broadway about Keyes. Broadway will be entering his fifth season as the Aggies head man when the 2015 season starts. He is 28-17 at A&T with the 2015 MEAC co-championship added to his accolades. “That’s what (Denzel) did for us last year,” he continued. “He is going to grow and develop. Hopefully, he’ll have a great fall for us.” For the rest of the story: www.ncataggies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=24500&ATCLID=210031859
|
|
|
Post by Aggie One on Apr 19, 2015 8:56:32 GMT -5
Ed Hardin: A&T puts football talent on display in spring game By Ed Hardin ed.hardin@news-record.com | Posted: Saturday, April 18, 2015 8:55 pm
GREENSBORO — Football in April. The sun was shining again at A&T as Rod Broadway walked the sidelines Saturday and surveyed a season. He liked what he saw. Broadway has been looking forward to this upcoming season. Even as the Aggies football program dragged itself out of the storm and into fresh air in the last couple of years, all was not well. But come fall, Broadway will have seen the sweat equity finally pay the dividends he promised. “I think this is going to be a good team,” he said. Fall is a long way off, and a lot happens between the spring game and the first game on the schedule. But for a school that went without a spring game for a few years, the routine is as important as anything. After getting a share of the MEAC title last season, the Aggies want to come back this year and take it all. On a Saturday in the sun, Broadway let his team have a little fun. A curious crowd saw some spectacular catches, some brilliant runs, a few big plays on defense and a fight. All in all, it was a fine day for football. When the fight began, the coaches didn’t run immediately to stop it. When it lingered a little longer than it should have, the coaches and the officials and team leaders stepped in. But not before the combatants expended some energy. It was a reminder of how competitive this team is. The defense has carried the day for the Aggies on most fall Saturdays. The offense is asserting itself now. This could be a fun year. For the rest of the story: www.news-record.com/sports/college/ed-hardin-a-t-puts-football-talent-on-display-in/article_d0c1f888-e62e-11e4-8122-970aed4074d9.html
|
|
|
Post by ohsixrain on Apr 19, 2015 9:46:08 GMT -5
Well, I'm wondering who was held out of the game....? They made a point to say we kept our best players out the game.
|
|
|
Post by Aggie One on Apr 19, 2015 11:00:29 GMT -5
D-linemen Mike Neal and James Morris were two big ones. Center Darriel Mack is nursing that broken foot.
|
|
oleschoolaggie
Official BDF member
2009 Poster of the Year, 2009 Most Knowledgeable Poster
Posts: 24,183
|
Post by oleschoolaggie on Apr 19, 2015 12:09:38 GMT -5
wow! i'm very pleased to hear that amos williams will get a look at the rb position! dude ran a 4.33 forty coming out of high school and reminded me a lot of tarik cohen. they moved him to cb last season, but since cartwright is now gone, i guess they decided to give him another look on offense and i'm happy that they did!
even though dez graduates this year, we're still gonna have a ton of "speed" on our roster this upcoming season. i luv having "multiple" threats on offense that can take it to the house from anywhere on the field...
|
|
|
Post by Aggie One on Apr 19, 2015 15:27:52 GMT -5
Spring 2015 - Feeling and Looking Different (Part 1) By Craig R. Turner Bluedeathvalley.com
North Carolina A&T wrapped up its spring practice this week and for the first time in recent memory, the Aggies are heading into the summer months with very few unanswered questions. A very nice crowd of approximately 2,100 fans was on hand to watch Coach Rod Broadway’s newest club and to see if last season’s 9-3 record and a co-championship will be a precursor to even bigger success this fall. So let us take a snapshot look at what we do know about the home team now that spring practice has ended.
OFFENSE The Aggies will take the field this fall under a new offensive coordinator Chip Hester who steps in after the departure of Rickey Bustle after two years of calling the offense. Hester, formerly a very successful head coach in his own right at D-II Catawba came on staff last season as receivers coach and has now installed a much different and pass friendly element to the Aggies storied rushing game. A&T ran a very controlled scrimmage that zeroed on establishing a passing offense that utilized the running backs, tight ends, and wide outs in various underneath patterns, play action, and screen passes. A&T’s offense has been blessed this year with a great many long athletic playmakers on the wings and a lot of speed in its backfield.
Running Backs First, Tarik Cohen is back for his junior year and looks not only as strong and as fast as ever but is one of the inspirational leaders of this offense. The first question was who the Aggies would have to back him to give him a rest with the unexpected departure of Marquell Cartwright during the winter. Red shirt freshmen Amos Williams (5-8,180) and LaMarc Watlington (5-11,200) showed they could both carry the rock when called upon as well as Hendersonville sophomore Cam Hill and Daniel Robinson (R-Fr,) who has recuperated from a preseason knee injury from a year ago and will enter into the mix when fall camp begins in August. Fullbacks will be solid with starter junior Tony McMinn (6-1,230) along with redshirt freshmen Justin Smith (6-2,245) and Corbin Martin (5-10,235).
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Denzel Keyes (6-5,220, Jr.) continues to amaze even the most hardened football cynics with superior athleticism, great hands, and his unbelievable desire to make a play by any means possible. The Kinston, NC junior may be destined to have a storybook season this year if he stays healthy and the Aggies feed him the ball on a regular. Xavier Griffin (6-1,190) will be one to watch as a primary deep threat this fall after coming on late last season and with a strong spring workout. Darren Bullock is the slot receiver who seems to be always in the right place to help bail out broken plays. Elusive speedster Khris Gardin will be the fourth receiver in the four wide out formation that the Aggies sported in the spring game. Tight ends Kevin Francis (6-5,215) and Dequan Swann (6-1,225) are the two huge x-factors that the coaches are adding a major role for in the new look passing game this season. Both have wide receiver speed as well as being strong run blockers.
Offensive Line The Aggies had to find replacements for All-Americans and 3-year starters Ron Canty and Willie Robinson in the middle. There was a big battle for that strong side guard spot and sophomore Josh Mattocks (6-3,310) improved immensely in the offseason to win out. Big Wes Cole (6-6,310) is now settled in at the opposite guard after moving over from right tackle. All–MEAC Brandon Parker (6-7,280) will be operating the left tackle spot and red shirt Shawn Best (6-7,320) will hold down right side. The Aggies have moved Charlie Jones (6-4,255) from tight end to center while they wait on projected starter Darrell Mack (6-2,285) to recover from a broken foot. Jessie Dove (6-4,280), Nick Dease (6-1,320) and Major Kay (6-4,310) add much needed experience and depth as all had at least a couple of starts in 2014.
Quarterbacks When Chip Hester decided that passing would play a more prominent role in the A&T offense it played right to the strength of two young QBs that had waited their turn last year. Gone is Kwashaun Quick and with him the dive option offense of a year ago. Ushering in the debut of the pocket QB at A&T will be projected starter Lamar Raynard (6-5,200), a red shirt freshman from High Point (NC) Andrews. Raynard takes over at a good time since he spent last year learning about college football and maturing his skill set which seems a perfect match for Hester’s new offense. Blessed with an uncommonly strong arm and a great IQ, both on and off the field, A&T fans have a lot to look forward down the road once he gets some real game experience under his belt.
Raynard however will be getting a challenge from R-So. Femi Barimo (6-4,215) who is from Washington, DC. Barimo is equal to Raynard in his physical capabilities and performed exceptionally well in the spring game despite spending all of last season a reserve tight end. Barimo never fit the mold of a running quarterback but now that A&T has gone back to the pocket, the sophomore looked more than comfortable back under center. Junior Frank Foster (5-10,180) is back after sitting out almost all of last season with a shoulder injury and acquitted himself very well in the spring as he works his way back into football shape.
Next: Part 2 – The Defense
|
|
|
Post by Aggie One on Apr 19, 2015 17:28:19 GMT -5
Spring 2015 - Feeling and Looking Different (Part 2) By Craig R. Turner Bluedeathvalley.com
North Carolina A&T wrapped up its spring practice this week and for the first time in recent memory, the Aggies are heading into the summer months with very few unanswered questions. A very nice crowd of approximately 2,100 fans was on hand to watch Coach Rod Broadway’s newest club and to see if last season’s 9-3 record and a co-championship will be a precursor to even bigger success this fall. So let us take a snapshot look at what we do know about the home team now that spring practice has ended.
DEFENSE
Since Rod Broadway made is way to Greensboro four years ago, N.C. A&T has always hung its hat on defense first. Broadway mad a name for himself as a defensive coach and his Aggie teams have borne that out over the years always staying among the Top Ten leaders in scoring and total defense in the FCS. That was the case up until last year when the Aggies gave up some uncharacteristic numbers on the ground giving up more yards than the previous two seasons combined on game average. Especially troubling was not getting off the field in third and long situations and costly penalties that kept opposition drives alive. Defensive coordinator Sam Washington has been tinkering around with his personnel in the offseason despite having 8 starter returning from the MEAC’s best scoring defense.
Defensive Line
The big knock against A&T’s defense was its perceived and real lack of physical presence along the front seven. The aggies were surely a quick defensive team but in the three games, it did lose in 2014 managed to get pushed off the ball by much larger bigger and equally quick offensive fronts. So a big objective was to get stronger in the offseason and bring more physical play in the trenches and return to 2013 form when the Aggies gave up an average pf less than 100 yards per game on the ground. The Aggies return three of four starters from a year ago; All-MEAC tackle Marcus Ragland (6-3,270), Mike Neal (6-0,275), and end Angelo Keyes (6-2,265). Fireplug nose guard James Morris (6-0,304) is another part-time starter. The Aggies also have more depth from another regular in Mailk Hampton-Prioleau (6-5,265), Kenny Melton (6-3,230) and reliable D’Anthony Ross (6-3,255). Literally, the entire corps of down linemen returns intact which is a rarity in college football. A&T received some impressive offseason performances from red shirts Julian McKnight (6-5,275, Fr.) and Turner Echols (6-2,240, DE) who may become consistent pass rushers as rookies.
Linebackers
All American D’Vonte Grant has graduated and he cannot be replaced. There is no plug and play for a player such as him so there is no need to go there with that conversation. What the Aggies can do is build this group of linebackers around increased athleticism and speed, which they do have. It will start in the middle, Denzel Jones (5-9,230) is a fifth year starter who shed some weight and was demonstratively faster in the spring game. Joshua Patrick is now seasoned and Julius Reynolds and Deion Jones can both be stars in time with hard work. The outside backers of note on Saturday where returning starters Lorenz Suttles (6-2,190), Landis Shoffner (6-1, 185) who were spot on plus speedy Jeremy Taylor, Courtney Edmonds, and Marcus Albert who is back after sitting out last year. This is a very fast group with a lot of range in a defense that is built for speed first.
Secondary
Many things can change between now and September but if you like to project ahead then remember these names: Zerius Lockhart, Marquis Boyan, Tard McCoy, Timadre Abram, and Tyree Andrews. These names will make up the first line of defensive backs. Who will earn a starting spots besides All-MEAC cornerback Tony McRae may not be a relevant, as these backs will rotate constantly because of the fact they will attack over and over in support of the run defense. Teaming with the hybrid outside backers, they should be extremely active and they showed in the game yesterday that they will be much more physical with opposing receivers this season over last.
|
|
|
Post by aggie2ru on Apr 19, 2015 17:51:27 GMT -5
Spring 2015 - Feeling and Looking Different (Part 2) By Craig R. Turner Bluedeathvalley.comNorth Carolina A&T wrapped up its spring practice this week and for the first time in recent memory, the Aggies are heading into the summer months with very few unanswered questions. A very nice crowd of approximately 2,100 fans was on hand to watch Coach Rod Broadway’s newest club and to see if last season’s 9-3 record and a co-championship will be a precursor to even bigger success this fall. So let us take a snapshot look at what we do know about the home team now that spring practice has ended. DEFENSE
Since Rod Broadway made is way to Greensboro four years ago, N.C. A&T has always hung its hat on defense first. Broadway mad a name for himself as a defensive coach and his Aggie teams have borne that out over the years always staying among the Top Ten leaders in scoring and total defense in the FCS. That was the case up until last year when the Aggies gave up some uncharacteristic numbers on the ground giving up more yards than the previous two seasons combined on game average. Especially troubling was not getting off the field in third and long situations and costly penalties that kept opposition drives alive. Defensive coordinator Sam Washington has been tinkering around with his personnel in the offseason despite having 8 starter returning from the MEAC’s best scoring defense. Defensive Line
The big knock against A&T’s defense was its perceived and real lack of physical presence along the front seven. The aggies were surely a quick defensive team but in the three games, it did lose in 2014 managed to get pushed off the ball by much larger bigger and equally quick offensive fronts. So a big objective was to get stronger in the offseason and bring more physical play in the trenches and return to 2013 form when the Aggies gave up an average pf less than 100 yards per game on the ground. The Aggies return three of four starters from a year ago; All-MEAC tackle Marcus Ragland (6-3,270), Mike Neal (6-0,275), and end Angelo Keyes (6-2,265). Fireplug nose guard James Morris (6-0,304) is another part-time starter. The Aggies also have more depth from another regular in Mailk Hampton-Prioleau (6-5,265), Kenny Melton (6-3,230) and reliable D’Anthony Ross (6-3,255). Literally, the entire corps of down linemen returns intact which is a rarity in college football. A&T received some impressive offseason performances from red shirts Julian McKnight (6-5,275, Fr.) and Turner Echols (6-2,240, DE) who may become consistent pass rushers as rookies. Linebackers
All American D’Vonte Grant has graduated and he cannot be replaced. There is no plug and play for a player such as him so there is no need to go there with that conversation. What the Aggies can do is build this group of linebackers around increased athleticism and speed, which they do have. It will start in the middle, Denzel Jones (5-9,230) is a fifth year starter who shed some weight and was demonstratively faster in the spring game. Joshua Patrick is now seasoned and Julius Reynolds and Deion Jones can both be stars in time with hard work. The outside backers of note on Saturday where returning starters Lorenz Suttles (6-2,190), Landis Shoffner (6-1, 185) who were spot on plus speedy Jeremy Taylor, Courtney Edmonds, and Marcus Albert who is back after sitting out last year. This is a very fast group with a lot of range in a defense that is built for speed first. Secondary
Many things can change between now and September but if you like to project ahead then remember these names: Zerius Lockhart, Marquis Boyan, Tard McCoy, Timadre Abram, and Tyree Andrews. These names will make up the first line of defensive backs. Who will earn a starting spots besides All-MEAC cornerback Tony McRae may not be a relevant, as these backs will rotate constantly because of the fact they will attack over and over in support of the run defense. Teaming with the hybrid outside backers, they should be extremely active and they showed in the game yesterday that they will be much more physical with opposing receivers this season over last. good wrap up
|
|
trues
Official BDF member
Posts: 4,322
|
Post by trues on Apr 20, 2015 8:43:09 GMT -5
I have to agree with Aggie One.
I was impress with Raynard but I more impress with FEMI because I really did not expect him to throw as well as he did.
I am going to say this and put it out there. These two QBs are better than Quick/Klugh. They are naturally pocket QB. They seem to be very comfortable with Chip west coast offence and in the pro set formation. I think Raynard has the edge. When it comes to throwing soft passes right into the middle interior line backers to Cohen. Raynard did that better than any QB I have seen in a long time. Another asset is Raynard has unbelievable speed. His dad told me he did but you know dads they going to always give there son a edge. But I am here to tell you his dad was not lying that young man can fly for his size into the end zone.
I was still not happy with some of the receivers dropping the ball. Sometime the ball is not going to be perfect and these guys are going to have to have good enough hands to reach out and catch the ball.
My only question is why they do not throw the ball to Keys in stride. Most of his catches was I will run my route turn around face the QB then catch the ball. I know there is a size advantage but he could gain a lot more yardage if he could catch the ball in stride.
|
|
|
Post by Aggie One on Apr 20, 2015 10:50:04 GMT -5
I believe the staff wanted Keyes to really work on perfecting the fade or semi-fade routes last Saturday. He had some nice catches last year but had three or four offensive pass interference calls against him last season that negated scores or big gains. They know he can catch it on the run - ala FAMU (Homecoming) last year.
With his superior height/size and leaping ability, it makes him almost impossible to defend in the red zone but the timing of the jump without pushing off takes a lot of practice. Come September he'll be getting the ball..... a lot!
|
|
saabman
Official BDF member
Posts: 11,786
|
Post by saabman on Apr 20, 2015 13:33:37 GMT -5
I have to agree with Aggie One. I was impress with Raynard but I more impress with FEMI because I really did not expect him to throw as well as he did. I am going to say this and put it out there. These two QBs are better than Quick/Klugh. They are naturally pocket QB. They seem to be very comfortable with Chip west coast offence and in the pro set formation. I think Raynard has the edge. When it comes to throwing soft passes right into the middle interior line backers to Cohen. Raynard did that better than any QB I have seen in a long time. Another asset is Raynard has unbelievable speed. His dad told me he did but you know dads they going to always give there son a edge. But I am here to tell you his dad was not lying that young man can fly for his size into the end zone. I was still not happy with some of the receivers dropping the ball. Sometime the ball is not going to be perfect and these guys are going to have to have good enough hands to reach out and catch the ball. My only question is why they do not throw the ball to Keys in stride. Most of his catches was I will run my route turn around face the QB then catch the ball. I know there is a size advantage but he could gain a lot more yardage if he could catch the ball in stride. Route perfection is the key. Keys runs exceptional routes but they are not smooth and fluent yet. What most receivers have to learn is how to set up defensive backs and achieved separation. Keys ran a lot of straight routes last year and a lot of times had the DB's hanging all over him. With this new look it my open up Keys to better be able to truly use his size and speed.vanilla routes are the easiest ones to Run but it seems that the new OC is trying to install they told west coast offense. The great Jerry Rice if you follow this career never really caught a pass in stride.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2015 14:32:38 GMT -5
I have to agree with Aggie One. I was impress with Raynard but I more impress with FEMI because I really did not expect him to throw as well as he did. I am going to say this and put it out there. These two QBs are better than Quick/Klugh. They are naturally pocket QB. They seem to be very comfortable with Chip west coast offence and in the pro set formation. I think Raynard has the edge. When it comes to throwing soft passes right into the middle interior line backers to Cohen. Raynard did that better than any QB I have seen in a long time. Another asset is Raynard has unbelievable speed. His dad told me he did but you know dads they going to always give there son a edge. But I am here to tell you his dad was not lying that young man can fly for his size into the end zone. I was still not happy with some of the receivers dropping the ball. Sometime the ball is not going to be perfect and these guys are going to have to have good enough hands to reach out and catch the ball. My only question is why they do not throw the ball to Keys in stride. Most of his catches was I will run my route turn around face the QB then catch the ball. I know there is a size advantage but he could gain a lot more yardage if he could catch the ball in stride. Route perfection is the key. Keys runs exceptional routes but they are not smooth and fluent yet. What most receivers have to learn is how to set up defensive backs and achieved separation. Keys ran a lot of straight routes last year and a lot of times had the DB's hanging all over him. With this new look it my open up Keys to better be able to truly use his size and speed.vanilla routes are the easiest ones to Run but it seems that the new OC is trying to install they told west coast offense. The great Jerry Rice if you follow this career never really caught a pass in stride. The West Coast Offense is predicated on timing and getting receivers in stride. I had a poster of Jerry Rice catching a pass in mid stride. I think he had many catches in mid stride on quick slants and dig routes, which he busted open with major YAC.
|
|
|
Post by Aggie One on Apr 20, 2015 14:37:26 GMT -5
Route perfection is the key. Keys runs exceptional routes but they are not smooth and fluent yet. What most receivers have to learn is how to set up defensive backs and achieved separation. Keys ran a lot of straight routes last year and a lot of times had the DB's hanging all over him. With this new look it my open up Keys to better be able to truly use his size and speed.vanilla routes are the easiest ones to Run but it seems that the new OC is trying to install they told west coast offense. The great Jerry Rice if you follow this career never really caught a pass in stride. The West Coast Offense is predicated on timing and getting receivers in stride. I had a poster of Jerry Rice catching a pass in mid stride. I think he had many catches in mid stride on quick slants and dig routes, which he busted open with major YAC. And therein will lay the tale of the tape for us offensively - successfully incorporating a new west coast passing game into a scheme that already has a proven power ground game as its backbone. No small feat.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2015 17:28:50 GMT -5
The West Coast Offense is predicated on timing and getting receivers in stride. I had a poster of Jerry Rice catching a pass in mid stride. I think he had many catches in mid stride on quick slants and dig routes, which he busted open with major YAC. And therein will lay the tale of the tape for us offensively - successfully incorporating a new west coast passing game into a scheme that already has a proven power ground game as its backbone. No small feat. I think early on, we will be big on misdirection and play-action passes that flow into short screen passes, followed by some intermediate digs and crosses ran by the TE's and then open bombs to Our Minn. Txr and Keyes on the outside. I know they did something similar to this a Guilford College and they torched their conference producing multiple QB's that threw over 3,000 yards/Season. The timing routes may not be perfected until well into the conference schedule.
|
|
trues
Official BDF member
Posts: 4,322
|
Post by trues on Apr 20, 2015 18:01:02 GMT -5
I never seen us pass the ball as much as we did. You can the read option is only going to b a option among 100s of other plays. I was impress with the play Option it's going to b very difficult stop us in 3rd down plays we have so many plays.
|
|