Todays headlines are dominated by the comments made by Andy Kerr on the dismal prospects of this years team. "While the team as a whole looks strong, there are no outstanding men on the squad." Coach Kerr's pessimism took some by surprise, but he has some valid points about the competition Colgate is set to face this season. Coach Kerr told reporters, "The teams we are meeting this year are, without exception, a great deal stronger than they were last." It should be pointed out that Brown and Syracuse should both be much better than last season. Penn State should be showing some improvment, and Lafayette was a particular concern for the head coach, as Kerr thinks they have improved vastly and is not sure if we will be ready for them in time. Depth will be a major concern for the Maroons this season. The head coach pointed out that a team is only as good as it looks against the competition and ended with these gloomy words, "We'll have a good team again this year, but the opposition is stronger, and the results may be a bit different."
Because of the 5 players who graduated last year, there are a lot of open spots in the starting lineup. Howie Conroy is looking good at the halfback position, and might get to fill one of the starting spots in the first game if he continues in the direction he is heading in. Jack Le Messurier has been practicing well. It is doubtful that he will see much playing time this season, but he will be valuble at some point. Winnie Anderson is looking tougher this year than last, the team will need a standout player at end. Jim Evans should once again be the teams top punter. He filled this role last year, and has been averaging about 50 yards or more in practice so far. Rene Antolini is looking very fast in preseaon practices, this shifty runner has already been a fan favorite for two years in the Chenango Valley, and we should get to see him even more this season. Joe Pasquale has also been looking good as a tackle since changing over from guard after last years season. He is expected to challenge for a starting role, and should definitly get some playing time this year. One rumor going around campus that is not true, is the rumor that Bart Ellis' starting spot is in danger. This big man will surely start at the other tackle position like he did last year, and it would take nothing short of an All American to relieve him of his post.
In other news at practice, Tom Doyle put aside his coaching duties momentarily to get out on the field and show his players how it's supposed to be done. And we must agree that he still has that same spark he had in his playing days. Doyle was still able to bowl over two linemen at a time, as he took a plunge up the middle of the field. Coach Kerr has also brought in a new toy for his passers to practice with. It's a large canvas with a 3 foot hole in the middle, and several of the players have taken turns testing their accuracy, and learning ways to improve it. Several of the players seem to have gotten the hang of it, and hopefully the teams passing game will improve because of it.
40 wide eyed freshman reported to Coach Razor Watkins yesterday, for the first day of practice. The freshman team spent the afternoon learning the in's and out's of the Warner system. Many of them seemed confused by the complicated patterns and plays, but Coach Kerr and his staff stopped by breifly to lend a hand on the first day of practices. The days session was ended early so that Watkins team could have some time to think about what they had learned. Their first game is the 8th of October against Manlius.
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