Rhode Island Football Spring Practice Roundup - Issue 1

March 31, 2008

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KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Rhode Island football team wrapped up its third practice of the spring Monday evening. The Rams practiced despite a steady rain, which made for slippery footing and made catching, throwing, and snapping the ball that much more difficult.

"There was a lot of anxiousness when we first came out. After three days, the hesitancy is gone and guys are flying around because they're more comfortable with the x's and o's," said URI head coach Darren Rizzi. "Quite frankly, they're getting use to how we practice. Everything is new to them - the structure, the tempo - and after three, there's more of a comfort level. It was nice to see the guys flying around in the first day of full pads."

One of the many items on the agenda for coach Rizzi and his staff this spring will be the installation of a new offensive system. Chris Pincince - who coached the Patriot League's highest-scoring offense at Holy Cross last season - was tabbed by Rizzi to rebuild the URI offense, and perhaps his most important task this spring will be mentoring his three quarterbacks - Derek Cassidy, D.J. Stefkovich, and Greg Wicks - through the ups and downs that come with learning a new system.

"I'm hoping these three guys come away with an understanding of the offense," said Pincince. "We're going to do things that are completely different than what they have done before, and hopefully they can get the other 10 guys on offense going in the right direction."

Cassidy started 10 of the Rams' 11 games in 2007 and led them in passing yards (1,025) and touchdown passes (five). After rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown against nationally-ranked New Hampshire, Cassidy suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of the game and forced him to miss the following week's contest with Massachusetts. He returned for the final game of the season and led the Rams to a 35-30 win over Northeastern. Cassidy led the Rams to victory using both his arm and his speed, throwing for 123 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"With the new system being installed, I'm trying to be as much of a leader as I can," said Cassidy. "My head is spinning right now with all of the information. It's a lot different than last year and it's a lot to learn. For today being just the third day, I think we're moving at a pretty good speed. We're starting to understand things better and things are starting to slow down quite a bit, so it's looking positive."

Stefkovich, meanwhile, led the Rams to their biggest win of the season, a 12-6 overtime triumph against No. 3 Massachusetts. He appeared in 10 games overall and scored three touchdowns (two rush), while Wicks served as an understudy to both.

"Everyone has a clean slate. They're all going to share equal reps and get what they can get," said Rizzi. "It's a learning curve for them, but so far, they have all had their ups and downs. When you're running a new offense, the quarterbacks are under the most pressure, so having the ability to get out there and learn and get the reps today helps. I think the speed of the game changed on them a little bit. The weather didn't help, but they have all had some positives."

Last month, Rizzi inked two high school standout QB's to National Letters of Intent - Kyle Elliot of Cresskill High School (N.J.) and Marc Lucarini of Camden Catholic (N.J.). Both incoming freshman will also factor into the QB shuffle come camp in August.

The Rams return to the practice field on Wednesday, April 2. The session is scheduled to run from 4-6, and fans and invited and encouraged to attend.