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Rice Head Football Coach David Bailiff---
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Zendejo (30) with corners and safeties
The smell of football was in the air and the spirit of sport illuminated from every corner of Rice Stadium as Camp 2009 got underway Saturday night. Lots of new faces, all seemingly excited and ready to take on a new challenge, was as refreshing as a cool plastic cup of Gatorade to the Owl players during their rest breaks throughout practice in the heat and humidity.
However, the heat didn't seem to be a factor. It wasn't even discussed with so much excitement and energy surrounding the hustle, bodies flying around making plays and whistles blowing. And that's just it! Head Coach David Bailiff, was beaming about what he saw when he first entered the stadium.
Fun!
"It was really fun today to hear football noise again. You don't realize how much you miss the sound of a defense communicating and the guys running and just all the intensity and you know it's good to hear that. You know those first couple of periods you absolutely get goose bumps just listening and watching the guys. But, the numbers when you walk out here now is what hits. You know there's not four or five defensive lineman. Anything would happen, we would have at least some different solutions we could look at instead of just putting a finger in the dyke."
That's pretty self explanatory and a relief! David Bailiff and staff now have numbers. Yes! He does have to worry about injuries to key players. However, now, it's not quite as critical as it was last season or the season before. Having more players also makes for better competition, and this is a more competitive camp. That's very evident by just watching from the stands. Bailiff is really excited about his freshmen class.
Defense is a big key
"I went and watched the corners (DB's)---you know we have the five young corners and just watched them flip their hips and their man skills. They all look like they belong. Then you go down to the defensive line and you watch Skinner and Cody Bauer. You know you can see the quick twitch and you feel good about it. I liked everything I saw today about this freshman incoming class."
"You just gotta continue to repeat things to them and you know that it's gonna stick and you know when you start hearing them repeat what you're saying then it's not just me then we're all on the same page and you're already hearing them. Andrew Sendejo is going into his third year---probably going to be captain again. He's very aware of what we have to do and so are the other seniors. We can't have any bad days. For us to accomplish anything this season, we've got to continue getting better now through the end of the season."
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Co-Defensive Coordinator Craig Naivar with DB's
When asked whether or not anyone impressed him in the first practice, Bailiff started with the defense. "The first day is so hard. We just got to make sure that we are consistent in the type effort we gave tonight. But, I was overall pleased with just watching the defense chase the ball and really there were times the offense execution didn't look as good as it did in the spring. So, I was pleased in seeing that."
There's no doubt that the defense was ahead of the offense and it showed. Speaking of the offense, Head Coach David Bailiff and offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher have some tough decisions to make regarding the starting quarterback position. They are giving themselves two weeks before they make a decision on whether it will be Shepherd, Fanuzzi, or Lewis. "Yea---coach "E" and I talked about that again today and we'll continue to meet and talk about the different scenarios and everyday I'll be honest with you on where we are."
Meet Ed Zaunbrecher, the new OC
Wide Receiver Patrick Randolph (RS Jr)
The new Offensive Coordinator, Ed Zaunbrecher was very honest with what he saw the first day of camp. "It was a little ragged around the edges. We had a lot of guys working in and we worked the third guys, the young guys in there and so it was a little more ragged than you want. But, they were running around trying hard and we put a lot in today. So we challenged them pretty good."
However, Zaunbrecher was also encouraged with what he saw in other areas. "Oh yea! You don't make any kind of decisions for at least a week and then you kind of see what you need and you'll back off on some things and maybe slide into something else. So, we're going to throw a bunch at them early and we've got good smart kids. So, hopefully they'll be able to pick it all up."
The new offensive coordinator was really impressed with a particular wide receiver. "Patrick Randolph showed some real quickness in getting down the field and made some plays and stuff like that. He showed some in the spring but he looked even better today. He's getting stronger, he needs to. He's not a real big guy. But he can really fly."
QB decision for Zaunbrecher
The quarterback who gets the starting nod to throw the football to those receivers is the question that Bailiff and Zaunbrecher will have to decide. "Whoever shows the consistency in executing and moving the team the best and there's a lot of factors that go into that." Shepherd, Fanuzzi, and Lewis will have to practice well against the first, second, and third teams to earn the job. "Sometimes a guy makes a living against the down the line guys and does real well---and against the good guys, he doesn't do as well. So, I try to keep charts on that and a little bit of everything."
Which one will start---Fanuzzi, Shepherd, or Lewis
There's no question that each one of the three has talent. Nick Fanuzzi had an opportunity to transfer to Rice last spring after initally signing with Alabama out of Churchill High School in San Antonio. He wants to use that advanced skill level on the field.
"I think it was a high level of competition at Alabama and players who have talked to me know that. It's a high level in the SEC. I remember playing against defenses over there and going with the offensive competition there. I'm going to try and translate as best as possible throughout the field out there in two-a-days and really just connect with these players here and get a chemistry going. So by the time the first week comes against UAB, we'll be one unit and a good force to be reckoned with during the season.
J.T. Shepherd is the elder statesman of the group and more than likely knows the system better than the other two quarterbacks since he's been here the longest. However, he has no sense of entitlement. "I've been through just about every situation imaginable since my time here. I've started a game, I've come in and played the last drive of a game. I've been thrown in for some plays here and there and I've been put in some critical situations and that definitely helps. One thing I took from all that is that you have to be ready.
"Nothing is guaranteed in life. I've been here a long time and I've enjoyed my time here and at the end of the day just playing with these guys---I love these guys. All my teammates that have come through here---the class of 2005---there's only a few of us left. But, we've been through a lot and if my role is to be the starter, I'd be happy with that. But, I'm gonna do whatever is best for the team. I wouldn't say that I deserve anything. I'm just going to go and play as hard as I can every opportunity I get."
Ryan Lewis, the lefty, is deceptively talented. You wouldn't think by just looking at him that's he a quarterback. Doesn't really have a lot to say. But, he's pretty straight and to the point about what he can do to help this Rice football team in 2009. "I feel like I can go out there and make plays and help them win."
The "O" line
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Is the "O" line a REAL position of concern?
The offense should be good if the "O" line can come together rather quickly. But, that will take on-the-field experience to bond like the group did last season. The skill pieces are there with guys like WR Toren Dixon, see below, Patrick Randolph, WR Corbin Smiter, RB Jeremy Goodson, RB Tyler Smith, who is as strong as ever after coming off surgery. TE Taylor Wardlow has some really stiff competition and is being pushed by Vance McDonald, the freshman from Winnie. Wardlow has the skills and experience at 6'6-230. But, McDonald is also a big target at 6'5"-235 and can flat out catch the ball. Others to watch are WR Derek Clark and the punter, Kyle Martens, sophomore. In fact, Bailiff stated that he feels special teams could be the difference maker for the Rice Owls football team.
Rice senior wide receiver Toren Dixon on what to expect from the 2009 Owls. Speaking of expectations, Bailiff expects Dixon to catch somewhere near 100 passes this season.
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