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Owls Voice Saltzman---a view from the booth
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Saltzman, (right), with Rice SID Chuck Pool talking football
There's no one more excited about the 2009 Rice football season than the man who will be calling the games from the booth--- Owls play-by-play man, David Saltzman.
Recently married, Saltzman's going into his third season in the booth, second as lead announcer. He is anxious to get the season underway because of what could be a more promising campaign than some might expect.
"I'm truly intrigued and interested more than anything in how this team comes together. Last year, it was just amazing to watch because that was the culmination of so many things--players getting experience, players bonding together and forming a cohesive unit with the coaching staff that had just come the year before. So, everything just went the right way last year because of that and that's why they won 10 games and had their best season in half a century. So, this year it's not completely starting over like it seemed to be more of two years ago with a new coaching staff and the lower numbers in terms of depth. But, there is some starting over just in terms of players having to step up in key roles."
"O" line receiving instrctions from Offensive Coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher
Speaking of key roles, there are questions surrounding the interior of the offensive line. While LT Scott Mitchell is solid and a preseason all-Conference
"Jake Hicks is listed as the starter at left guard. We saw him a lot at right tackle last season. I know he's going to step into his role well. But, to be honest Davon Allen, (right guard), and Keyshawn Carrington, (center), are question marks in terms of how much can they contribute to a teams' success. They're going to be asked to play roles that they've never been asked to do."
The Defense Rest
Willie Garley (32), Andrew Sendejo (30), Max Anyiam (33), Co-DC Craig Naivar
You've already heard much about the defense and how good it can be, especially the secondary. Saltzman agrees.
"The secondary is going to be so solid and that is so key. You can tell that Andrew Sendejo is so looking forward to getting more of the attention---not that he wants the attention. But, he likes it now that the defense, at least in the beginning of the year, while the offense tries to jell more, the defense really has to be the key to victories. Rice can not afford to give up 35-38 points, at least in the beginning part of the year and think that they're going to win. Andrew knows that and the defense knows that."
While there is certainty that the defense will be good, they're questions surrounding the two interior postions on the defensive line. Chance Talbert, who's defensive tackle position is his to lose, is still rehabbing from ankle surgery. Will he be healed enough to face UAB on the 5th of September? Talbert says he'll be ready.
Nose tackle is the other position of concern. Last season, John Gioffre, Michael Smith, and Will Moss saw action when Chris Ptasek needed a rest. But, due to Michael Smith's injury, along with the departures of Ptasek and Moss, Gioffre has an opportunity to earn the job at nose tackle. His teammates feel the same.
Terrance Garmon, who will lead a corp of talented linebackers this season which includes Willie Garley, Robert Calhoun and Tanner Shuck, shares a similar view as Saltzman regarding the role of the 2009 defense.
"I think the offense will come along. I don't know when. But, until then, if they struggle, we'll have to pick up their slack---and maybe some games we may even struggle and the offense may come along and pick up our slack as well. So, I think it goes back and forth---or, to a point where we're both at the same level---so that we can both shine on both sides of the ball."
Saltzman on what fans can expect
"We know that (Head Coach) David Bailiff and his coaching staff have put their stamp on this Rice program and work ethic is not going to be an issue. We know that philosophy is not going to be an issue. The new coaches that he's brought in all have experience. The fact that Ed Zaunbrecher is offensive coordinator---is such a nice move because he's been around. He's been a head coach. He knows what he's doing and he knows what he's doing running an offense like this."
"Two years ago, because things were so new, you could see a lot of those growing pains, not just with the players, but the coaches as well. So that's not going to be an issue. We're going to see a highly disciplined and efficient unit."
"I think what we can expect to see is a team like so many other teams that---they're going to hear the comparisions to last year and how great last year's team was and they were tremendous. But, I know that if I was a Rice Owl player, that I woudn't want to hear so much about 2008. I would want to make my stamp on 2009 and that would be extra motivation for me. So, I know that this is going to be a hard working unit that has a sense of urgency."
"I think this team, more than (it) did two years ago, can rise to the occasion quicker."
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OC Ed Zaunbrecher and RB Coach, Darrell Patterson work with offense
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Other nuggets from camp
Justin Hill will more than likely be a mainstay at linebacker this season. However, there's a chance that he will have some situational running back responsibilities.
Tyler Smith looks good in camp and could vie for the starting running back position. In addition, Jeremy Goodson looks quicker and faster than ever.
Tight end Luke Wilson will add depth, size, and skill to a group already favored with the needed attributes to pose problems for opposing defenses.
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Other news and notes
Rice junior Michael Whitehead won the TGA's South Amateur Championship on Sunday, his second tourney title in 3 years http://ow.ly/jw8k
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