Colonials Corner

Raphael Johnson carries the ball during training camp. Johnson has looked impressive as he bids for more carries behind star Myles Russ. Photo by Andrew Chiappazzi

Week one of training camp is done, the team photographer is getting ready for a parade of Colonials to smile for the camera tomorrow, and perhaps a few freshmen are rethinking what they want out of college and whether football is going to be part of it.

So, in honor of week one being complete, we’re doing things the old fashioned way: News, notes, and a good old starting 22.

NOTES

• Shadrae King, the starter at tight end following a fine freshman year, has not practiced significantly since the middle of the week. It’s not a serious injury, but there’s no timetable for his return.
• The defense, as expected, is a few steps ahead of the offense right now. Both the first and second units were getting quite a bit of pressure on all of the quarterbacks throughout the drills.
• There’s a nice bit of competition with the kickers going on right now. Garrett Clawson hit a 52-yard field goal to end practice (and relieve the team of the final sprints). Freshman Greg Langer and junior Matt Catanzarite also had their opportunities, but none matched Clawson’s distance.
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Over the next three weeks, Colonials Corner will post a variety of observations, notes, news, and analysis from training camp as the football team gears up for its 16th season under Joe Walton. We will also post several feature stories highlighting various topics, players, and coaches under the spotlight for this season. This is the first of those features.

Ian Milanak, left, and Alex DiMichele, right, will be two of the leaders of a veteran defense for Robert Morris. Photo by Andrew Chiappazzi

Within minutes of beginning a post-practice chat on the team’s defensive leadership, Alex DiMichele and Adam Lawrence – fully capable of carrying a conversation about football on their own – roped fellow defensive stalwarts Michael Landers and Ian Milanak into the conversation. With DiMichele and Lawrence already showcasing an uncanny ability to understand exactly what the other was saying, Landers and Milanak jumped in and created an even more impressive display of cohesiveness.

Four minds, four personalities, one set of answers. In a sport that loves cohesion, especially on defense, it should come as no surprise that four of the leaders on a defense that returns ten starters are on the same page. The foursome is an example of the overall team construction that Robert Morris coaches are hoping will create a championship caliber team in Moon Township, something the school hasn’t seen since 2000.
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Sophomore James O'Quinn ruled academically ineligible, may not return to Colonials. Photo courtesy of rmucolonials.com

After months of speculation and a wide variety of rumors, James O’Quinn is officially off the Robert Morris football team for the 2009 season, and he may not be returning.

The Kiski Area graduate was ruled academically ineligible at the end of the spring semester and will not be available for this season. There remains some question whether he will return to the program once he adjusts his academic record.

Recruited by multiple Division I teams, O’Quinn was suspended twice by his high school and saw his recruiting stock drop to the point where the Colonials became a viable option. Robert Morris recognized O’Quinn’s past but the coaching staff expressed hope in being able to help O’Quinn learn from his mistakes.

Inquiries earlier this summer into his status as a student were denied by Dean of Students John Michalenko, and O’Quinn is not listed in the student directory, although it should be noted that any student has the capability to remove his/her name from the directory if they wish. O’Quinn is not listed in the official media guide released yesterday by the sports information department, although his name will remain on the roster on the website for now.

With O’Quinn unavailable, the pressure increases for junior TJ Green and sophomore Anthony Coleman to become viable receiving targets alongside Sherrod Evers for whoever ends up taking the snaps under center. Green improved steadily at the end of last year, while Coleman is still in the process of transitioning from defensive back. Diminuitive wide receivers Michael Blanchard, DJ Zalewski, and Troy Besterci will also likely be given shots at taking O’Quinn’s snaps, while 6’4 sophomore Paul Evans would seem to have a distinct size advantage if he can show some consistency. As far as freshman go, 6’2 Paul Sanchez is likely the most polished receiver coming into the program.

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