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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 16, 2024 7:44:46 GMT -5
I’m guessing it’s still fairly open but likely firming up post scrimmage tomorrow. Anyone going with the “open house”?
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Post by sader1970 on Aug 16, 2024 7:46:08 GMT -5
I’m guessing it’s still fairly open but likely firming up post scrimmage tomorrow. Anyone going with the “open house”? 🙋🏻♂️
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Post by dharry13 on Aug 16, 2024 8:03:23 GMT -5
It's my understanding Josh Jenkins, Frattura and Graham all getting reps. Josh is getting a few more reps these days in regard to your question, but this Saturday's scrimmage will probably nail down the 2 deep as they enter the last week of camp and then game week.
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Post by hc1996 on Aug 16, 2024 8:07:38 GMT -5
In the few video clips I've seen, Jenkins looks really good. Sadly, I haven't seen any clips of Frattura or Graham circulating.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 16, 2024 11:52:09 GMT -5
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Post by joutsHC77 on Aug 16, 2024 15:53:25 GMT -5
Eloquent and motivated coaches.
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Post by efg72 on Aug 17, 2024 10:55:10 GMT -5
'Play fast, ... have fun': Holy Cross defensive lineman Will Robinson, Brice Stevenson heed advice from former Crusader
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
"This is a new stage of Holy Cross football, and we have to prove ourselves," Holy Cross defensive lineman Will Robinson said. WORCESTER — Former Holy Cross star and now New York Giants edge rusher Benton Whitley visited his old team earlier this summer, and his advice and encouragement particularly struck HC’s young defensive linemen.
“He was awesome,” sophomore Will Robinson said during HC’s media day at Fitton Field on Wednesday. “He shared a lot of wisdom. It was a cool opportunity for us.”
Whitley told the Crusaders about his experiences at Holy Cross, the hard work and dedication it took to get an opportunity in the NFL, and he offered advice for the upcoming season.
“He said to play fast and have fun,” sophomore Brice Stevenson said. “A lot of the stuff we do is mental preparation, but sometimes we go out there and forget to have fun, so (Whitley said), ‘just play football.’ ”
Stevenson, who started seven games as a freshman, Robinson, who played in all 11 games as a reserve last season, and classmate Jovan George, who appeared in nine games in 2023, stood out to first-year Holy Cross coach Dan Curran during spring ball, and the defensive line trio has continued to impress during training camp as the Crusaders prepare for their Aug. 31 opener at the University of Rhode Island.
“You can see their confidence continuing to grow throughout the course of the year,” Curran said. “They are embracing being a big part of what we’re doing. The reps they got last year were invaluable. They are very consistent. We’re expecting big things from those three and everyone up front.”
Also returning for HC on the defensive line is junior Christian Ross, who started every game last year and finished with 24 tackles and a sack.
Holy Cross defensive lineman Brice Stevenson is a preseason All-Patriot League selection. The 6-foot-2, 298-pound Stevenson earned a starting job out of camp last season. He played in every game, with seven starts at defensive tackle, and totaled 17 tackles.
“It was good getting my feet under me and getting the speed of the game down,” said Stevenson, who will move around the line this year. “Just getting that game experience was big my first year, so this year, you’re going in not thinking, just going out there and playing.”
Stevenson is one of four returning players who made starts on defense last year as freshmen.
The 6-5, 275-pound Robinson made 27 tackles and had 4½ sacks last season and earned 2023 FCS Football Central Freshman All-America honors. He is an All-Patriot League preseason selection.
“(Stevenson and Robinson) are outstanding athletes, defensive linemen and people,” HC assistant defensive line coach Mike Pucko said. “They are really smart young men overall. They want to get better every day. Every drill we do is 100%. They know what their potential is on and off the field, and they work to a whole different level. They are special kids.”
Stevenson and Robinson are best friends.
“Everyone in the D-line room is really tight,” Stevenson said. “Will and are young, but we’re going to be leading the D-line, helping out and making plays.”
George, 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, recorded three tackles in last year’s win over Colgate and a quarterback hurry in the Georgetown game.
Benton Whitley, shown here chasing Fordham QB in March 2021, offered sage advice to current Holy Cross players during the summer. “For the three of us,” Robinson said, “it’s just the daily process of trying to get better every day, a one percent improvement each day over the course of the summer, and not being satisfied. This is a new stage of Holy Cross football, and we have to prove ourselves.”
More:'I’m bringing my old Holy Name mentality': Mike Pucko returns to Holy Cross staff, to help get best out of Crusaders
Whitley, who was an All-Patriot League performer at Holy Cross, originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rams in 2022, and also spent time with the Chiefs and Vikings before signing with the Giants last November. He is one of six former Holy Cross stars currently in NFL camps, along with C.J. Hanson (Chiefs), Kalif Raymond (Lions), Jalen Coker (Panthers), Liam Anderson (Colts) and Ayir Asante (Giants).
“It’s a goal to get there,” Stevenson said. “It’s achievable, and when you see (all the HC players in the NFL), anything is possible from here.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jentolandtg.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 18, 2024 10:15:55 GMT -5
Any first hand reports/observations from yesterday? Sader1970 and others?
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Post by sader1970 on Aug 18, 2024 10:33:09 GMT -5
I don’t have the expertise that many/most do here.
Also, w/o the roster list between new players and bad memory, I can only say Joe P looks comfortable at QB and had short chat w/him after and he seems very confident about the season. He had some nice pass completions, some long and accurate despite good, close coverage. Always thought Joe the better passer than Matt and this offense is better suited for him.
Running is harder to tell as defense doesn’t go all out for hard tackles.
As I’ve said before, someone with more expert eyes can tell whether a play is good offense or bad defense or vice versa when both sides of the ball are your guys.
One downside was a defensive player got carted off the field, I could not see but hcfc45 thought it was #28.
Afterwards Coach Curran told me it was a dislocated patella and he’s a freshman. No medical background but Dan didn’t think that was a super bad injury but painful.
Edit: #28 is freshman Amari Gardner and a cornerback, which jibes with everything and forgot to post that after he was out on the cart, the ENTIRE team went over to wish him well. Not sure who led the charge whether the coaches or the captains or just an ad hoc, spontaneous action but I don’t recall ever seeing that in a game or practice. Speaks volumes about this team. All for one, one for all. Win, lose or draw, this is a group deserving of our total support.
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Post by sader1970 on Aug 18, 2024 10:35:40 GMT -5
P.S. Shorter caught at least one long pass for a TD. 😊
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 18, 2024 10:48:11 GMT -5
I don’t have the expertise that many/most do here. Also, w/o the roster list between new players and bad memory, I can only say Joe P looks comfortable at QB and had short chat w/him after and he seems very confident about the season. He had some nice pass completions, some long and accurate despite good, close coverage. Always thought Joe the better passer than Matt and this offense is better suited for him. Running is harder to tell as defense doesn’t go all out for hard tackles. As I’ve said before, someone with more expert eyes can tell whether a play is good offense or bad defense or vice versa when both sides of the ball are your guys. One downside was a defensive player got carted off the field, I could not see but hcfc45 thought it was #28. Afterwards Coach Curran told me it was a dislocated patella and he’s a freshman. No medical background but Dan didn’t think that was a super bad injury but painful. That’s freshman Amari Gardner and confirmed. Likely season ending for a frosh. Severity will be depend on if ligaments or that patella tendon was torn. A shame as he would have likely seen run on Special teams and as a reserve DB. Glass half full, he redshirts, comes back bigger and stronger as a soph and now will have a 5th year option.
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Post by hcnj on Aug 18, 2024 12:18:40 GMT -5
Gardner was one of the DB frosh that I thought coming in had the best chance of getting some playing time.
Maybe some other poster was there who could identify more players that saw a lot of play. It will be quite a feat if Jenkins is the 2 at QB, probably least heralded but was a very effective down field passer in HS. .
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Post by sader1970 on Aug 18, 2024 13:27:54 GMT -5
Didn’t have a stop watch or play count but it sure looked like your guy Jenkins got as much or more time at QB as Joe P and considerably more than the other two. To the uninitiated (me), just from yesterday, I would say he is Joe’s backup and much more mobile than Joe and plays more like Matt.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Aug 19, 2024 17:50:53 GMT -5
Quinton Gregory is back.
A nice piece to have.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 20, 2024 21:17:37 GMT -5
The Analyst’s PL Preview by Craig Haley theanalyst.com/na/2024/08/2024-patriot-league-football-previewHaley has HC picked 3rd. FWIW, I’ve always thought he knows and follows East Coast ball (Ivy, PL and CAA) better than many of the other national FCS pundits. 3. Holy Cross (7-4, 5-1) – New coach Dan Curran was a strong hire to replace the ultra-successful Bob Chesney when considering he guided Merrimack (53-58 record in 11 seasons) to an upset of the Crusaders in 2021. Quarterback Joe Pesansky also has a daunting task in replacing long-time standout Matthew Sluka, but he passed for five TDs in winning two starts a year ago. Of course, it helps the PL’s top-ranked offense to return All-America RB Jordan Fuller (1,046 yards and 18 TDs on just 156 carries) and WR Justin Shorter (95 career receptions). Linebacker Frankie Monte is a big-hit machine.
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Post by purplehaze on Aug 21, 2024 13:05:17 GMT -5
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 21, 2024 16:04:19 GMT -5
Freshman DB Amari Gardner publicly confirmed via social media that he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL and will be redshirting.
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Post by drjack on Aug 21, 2024 16:11:25 GMT -5
Freshman DB Amari Gardner publicly confirmed via social media that he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL and will be redshirting. Oof
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Post by efg72 on Aug 21, 2024 17:01:41 GMT -5
Any docs out there is that a 12-15 month recovery or has medicine shortened the time
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 21, 2024 17:55:13 GMT -5
Not an orthopod but timeline seems to be closer to 9-10 months now till fully cleared.
McMurtrie tore the same 3 ligaments in the ‘22 Buffalo game and started game 1 in ‘23. Ross tore ACL and MCL week 1 of ‘22 and also was ready following year v Merrimack.
The issue for a speed guy is that year 1 back you have to wear a brace. So guys will tell you they feel maybe 90% of what they were. It’s usually year 2 back where you are 100% and can remove the brace.
One reason it will be interesting to watch C Ross and TE JP (I believe just tore his PCL in 2021 camp but it was a complex repair). Both will be w/o the bulky knee brace if still 100% recovered and no setbacks. You definitely feel a step or two quicker and more explosive.
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Post by inhocsigno on Aug 22, 2024 9:43:21 GMT -5
Its been a while since I left my ACL's on Fitton, but recovery depends on a few items: 1. Meniscus repair vs. clean out - not stated, but usually there is meniscus damage with ligament tears. If they repair that, there is more time immobilized and more scar tissue buildup. Longer period to start rehab. 2. Athletes dedication in rehab. 3. Mental comfort when returning to running, cutting, etc.
Braces are not necessary, but some doctors will require. My first surgeon said they were a crutch and wouldn't allow me to use one. Second surgeon required me to wear one on the other knee. I threw it away at half-time of my 2nd game back. However, I was a senior and not a freshman. I guess I was inspired by a speech Rob McGovern gave us freshman year, you leave it on the field and they can roll you into your office one day.
In all seriousness, this stinks for the kid, but he is a freshman, and he'll be back. I give it about a year until he 100% physically and mentally.
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Post by efg72 on Aug 22, 2024 12:27:27 GMT -5
Quarterback Joe Pesansky throws during the first Holy Cross football practice Tuesday.
WORCESTER — As All-American quarterback Matthew Sluka’s backup the last three seasons, Holy Cross senior Joe Pesansky’s on-field opportunities were limited to a few pass attempts in mop-up time or subbing for Sluka on the several occasions last year when he lost his helmet and had to go to the sideline for a play.
Yet, as former Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney always said, Pesansky, with detail, purpose and enthusiasm, prepared every week as if he was the starter.
Around the midway mark of last season, Pesansky’s best friend and roommate, senior running back Jordan Fuller, asked him how he did it, how he stayed ready for every game.
“At that point,” Pesansky said after Tuesday’s practice at Kuzniewski Field, “I hadn’t played a single meaningful snap, but I just told him, ‘Dude, if anything were to happen and I do get my chance, I do not want to mess it up.’”
A couple weeks later, in a crucial Patriot League matchup at Fordham, Pesansky made his first career start in place of an injured Sluka.
“We had complete confidence,” Fuller said. “There was never a doubt. We knew what he was going to do.”
Pesansky’s first completion against the Rams was a 21-yard strike to Justin Shorter. On the next play, he found Jalen Coker for a 41-yard touchdown. While completing 20 of 33 attempts and leading the Crusaders to a 49-47 victory, Pesansky displayed poise, accuracy and self-assurance.
He started at Lehigh the next week and threw two TD passes in a 28-24 win.
Holy Cross quarterback Joe Pesansky hands off to Jordan Fuller for a touchdown versus Colgate University in the second quarter on Saturday September 23, 2023 at Fitton Field in Worcester. Pesanksy was in at quarterback because Matthew Sluka lost his helmet on the previous play. More:'What a show he put on': Holy Cross coaches still raving about backup QB Joe Pesansky
“I don’t know how much I proved or didn’t prove in those two starts,” Pesansky said. “I know my coaches and teammates believed in me and knew I could get it done. I wasn’t proving anything to anyone. I was just being myself.”
As the only quarterback with experience on the 2024 HC roster, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Pesansky obviously had the edge going into the offseason, but in his typical persevering style he worked harder than ever to establish himself as the No. 1.
“The way our program is built, everything is built off competition,” first-year Holy Cross coach Dan Curran said. “Joe knew he had to compete to solidify himself, but he certainly positioned himself with his preparation, how he’s developed and how well he’s led from the beginning.”
Pesansky has always been a well-liked teammate. As he has stepped into a leadership and captain’s role, that reverence has only intensified.
“I’ve been a coach for a while now,” Curran said, “and I don’t think I’ve ever been around a person who has the locker room behind him like Joe does. For a kid who’s only started two games, that speaks volumes of the respect he has in that locker room and that he has among the staff, too. He won me over early.”
Before home games the last three years, Pesansky and Fuller studied and broke down game film together in their on-campus residence on Thursday and Friday nights.
“We would go over all the plays,” Fuller, HC’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, said, “all of my responsibilities, all of his responsibilities. He would ask me what I liked in certain formations and I would pick his brain as well. It was perfect. Football was on our minds at all times. We treated it like we were professionals.”
On game days, Pesansky took his spot on the sideline.
“It’s understanding the role you play on the team,” Pesansky said. “Being the backup quarterback is an extremely important role. When Sluk was playing, I was helping him; when I was playing, he was helping me. It goes both ways. It’s so important to have a support staff on the sideline. As the backup quarterback, you instill confidence in the guy ahead of you, make sure his head is clear and he’s on the same page, and keep him calm. Playing your role is the most important thing.”
Last year, Pesansky found out the day before the Fordham game that he would be starting.
“He was a little nervous,” Fuller said. “He leaned on me a little bit, asking me, ‘Like, damn. It’s kind of crazy the nerves I’m feeling. Is this what you felt as well? This is some serious stuff.’”
By kickoff, Pesansky was fine.
In the games against Fordham and Lehigh, Pesansky was a combined 31-52 for 495 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Holy Cross was the only Division 1 school to offer Pesansky coming out of Jesuit High School in Tampa.
“My goal was always to be the starting quarterback,” Pesansky said, “so I acted like the starting quarterback.”
This season, his intention has changed.
“Now my goal is to be a star quarterback,” Pesansky said. “How do you act like that?”
After a productive spring ball, Pesansky went home for six weeks, went on a strict diet and workout regimen, that he continued when he returned to HC this summer.
Last week, the Crusaders received their body transformation pictures.
“Mine is night and day,” said Pesansky, who ended last season at 212 pounds and with 12% body fat and is currently 220 (with added muscle mass) and 9% body fat.
“I feel phenomenal,” he said. “The way my body reacts to me performing is much better than it has been in the past.”
Learning the new playbook and verbiage and perfecting routes with Shorter and other receivers were also part of Pesansky’s offseason.
“As a quarterback, you’re the focal piece of the offense,” Shorter said. “He has to know everything. He’s taken that leadership role to heart, and I think he’s going to have a big year.”
The Holy Cross offense highlighted Sluka’s dual-threat abilities the last three years. In 2024, Pesansky will lead Curran’s multiple offense with his decision making, accuracy and competitive toughness.
Those traits, though, are not his only strengths.
Holy Cross quarterback Joe Pesansky listens to instructions from the Crusaders coaching staff during a game against Fordham last season. “Joe is an underrated athlete,” Curran said. “You watch him move around sometimes and I think that gets lost because he’s a really good passer. He does have the ability to extend plays and pick up a first down with his legs and he has worked really hard at that part of his game.”
Pesansky seems to have naturally stepped into his leadership role.
“It’s a cool feeling,” Pesansky said, “but it’s weird, sometimes you’re sitting back there and you’re like, ‘Someone’s got to do something. Oh, wait, that’s me.’
“When you lose 35 guys (from last year’s team), that’s a ton of leadership,” Pesansky said. “I’m giving my best leading by example and being a voice when I have to be a voice, inserting myself into the correct situations, making sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing in order to lead this team to success.”
The Crusaders open the season August 31 at the University of Rhode Island with their new starting quarterback.
“Watching him the past three years it’s been inspirational,” Fuller said, “and it’s made me work a lot harder because he stayed ready this whole time and I think it’s really showing this year. He’s really just a professional, a true leader that everyone on our team can get behind.”
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Post by hcnj on Aug 22, 2024 12:29:22 GMT -5
For those on the Zoom call. Curran gave a nice shout-out to Marco Coleman and J Pritchard-Sewell as frosh. I thought he might have mentioned another freshman but missed the name? He also mentioned he would use the TE very differently and we shouldn't be surprised to at times see two or three on the field at the same time and not necessarily in the red zone (short yardage situations). Perhaps he likes some of newer TEs on the roster behind JP.
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Post by hiltonheadcrusader on Aug 22, 2024 12:49:30 GMT -5
Yes. He also mentioned frosh TE, Mason McSweeney
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 22, 2024 12:52:47 GMT -5
my understanding is Junior John Owens and Frosh McSweeney are H backs (more like Phoenix Dickson types) while JP, Schillinger, Petitta and Schoomaker are more traditional TEs.
Someone else said he also mentioned freshman WR Alijah Cason which doesn’t surprise those of us that followed Alijah in HS.
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