CAA Media Day- Albany picked 10th

[Dane96]

Albany picked 10th in the league, which is about right given our youth. Gontarek named Pre-Season First Team All-CAA WR.

 

I only caught the back-end of Coach however, he stated he hoped Buffalo vs. Albany would become an in-state rivalry game. He also stated that we'd see a lot of last years RS Freshman play significant minutes, and that we need to keep hitting the recruiting trail hard. He loves the defense and, although undersized, thinks we are a scrappy bunch that gets to the ball.

 

Gontarek noted that he was excited about the running back and QB battles, and implied that aside from DJ Crook (who wasn't mentioned) he wanted to see if Will Brunson and Nevan Sussman would be ready to play right away. He likes both a lot.

 

2015 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Position Player School Class
QB John Robertson Villanova Sr.
2015 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Position Player School Class
LB Don Cherry Villanova Sr.
2015 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
OFFENSE
Position Player School Class
QB John Robertson Villanova Sr.
RB Mikal Abdul-Saboor William & Mary Sr.
RB Darius Victor Towson Jr.
FB/HB Seth Fisher Richmond Sr.
WR Brian Brown Richmond Jr.
WR Reggie Diggs Richmond Sr.
WR Josh Gontarek UAlbany So.
TE Deane Cheatham James Madison Sr.
OL Ben Curtis Delaware Sr.
OL Bruce Johnson Maine Sr.
OL Andrew Jones William & Mary Sr.
OL Mitch Kirsch James Madison Jr.
OL Tad McNeely New Hampshire Jr.
DEFENSE
Position Player School Class
DL Trevor Bates Maine Sr.
DL Jon Desir Towson Sr.
DL Victor Ochi Stony Brook Sr.
DL Blaine Woodson Delaware So.
LB Akil Anderson New Hampshire Sr.
LB Don Cherry Villanova Sr.
LB Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga Maine Jr.
LB Luke Rhodes William & Mary Sr.
CB Casey DeAndrade New Hampshire Jr.
CB DeAndre Houston-Carson William & Mary Sr.
S Chris Blair Elon So.
S Naim Cheeseboro Stony Brook Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Position Player School Class
RS Myles Holmes Rhode Island Sr.
PK Peter Yoder Richmond Jr.
P Eric Enderson Delaware Jr.
2015 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (1st-Place Votes)
1. Villanova (14)
2. James Madison (5)
3. New Hampshire (5)
4. William & Mary
5. Richmond
6. Delaware
7. Maine
8. Stony Brook
9. Towson
10. UAlbany
11. Rhode Island
12. Elon

Edited July 28, 2015 by Dane96

[Eli]

I could see us having a rough year due to the youth, losing a veteran QB (who for all of his lacking athletic ability was a pretty smart game manager) and losing the conferences best RB.

I think a 5 win season would be okay. Anything less is disappointing, anything more is gravy.

I'll be at the Buffalo game making noise amongst the UB fans (I have a bunch of UB friends who'll be going with me).

Edited July 28, 2015 by Ilko

[UAalum72]

Media Day videos are up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhK-BfSCDQY&feature=youtu.be - Gattuso

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wuCZlmKyWg&feature=youtu.be - Gontarek & Nicastro

 

Players arrive August 6.

[Dane Pound]

I could see us having a rough year due to the youth, losing a veteran QB (who for all of his lacking athletic ability was a pretty smart game manager) and losing the conferences best RB.

 

 

That might have been the nicest things you ever said about Will Fiacchi.

 

RB is the big hole I see. When Drew Smith was a senior we all kind of knew Omar was going to be able to carry some of that load after he left. I haven't had that same feeling about anyone yet. Hopefully there's a nice surprise out there.

Edited July 31, 2015 by Dane Pound

[Eli]

 

I could see us having a rough year due to the youth, losing a veteran QB (who for all of his lacking athletic ability was a pretty smart game manager) and losing the conferences best RB.

 

 

That might have been the nicest things you ever said about Will Fiacchi.

 

RB is the big whole I see. When Drew Smith was a senior we all kind of knew Omar was going to be able to carry some of that load after he left. I haven't had that same feeling about anyone yet. Hopefully there's a nice surprise out there.

 

lol, hey, it happens. I grew up watching the Jets and Chad Pennington (who was a TERRIBLE athlete but a genius on the field). Sometimes that's all you need, especially in the NEC. He did okay in the CAA the last two years.

 

I feel the same away about RB. Haven't heard much about Martin (Omar's backup)...but I'd imagine he's the one who'll get the first chance.

[Jammaster]

Not quite on topic here, but a really moving story by Stony Brook's Adrian Coxson and his long, difficult journey to a shot at the NFL:

 

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/adrian-coxson-packers-road-to-nfl/

[UAalum72]

 

RB is the big whole I see. When Drew Smith was a senior we all kind of knew Omar was going to be able to carry some of that load after he left. I haven't had that same feeling about anyone yet. Hopefully there's a nice surprise out there.

 

I feel the same away about RB. Haven't heard much about Martin (Omar's backup)...but I'd imagine he's the one who'll get the first chance.

 

 

UA had our own Media Day today. Besides the UA release Coach said on Channel 13 tonight that RB Elliot Croskey is working well and may get a lot of carries.

Edited August 11, 2015 by UAalum72

[UAalum72]

Sagarin ratings are out for 2015. Obviously not worth much yet, but Albany ranked 187 (of 254), tenth in CAA, and a 17-point dog to Buffalo

[UAalum72]

Didn't see any video online, but the first team scrimmage was yesterday. Crook threw an interception, Jon Martin had a punt blocked, and Croskey had a few good carries before weather stopped play.

[UAFAN]

CAA 12 Teams in 12 Days - UAlbany