Jermaine Holmes Interview
Monday, August 4, 2014
Jermaine Holmes Post Practice Interview
Herd football's Jermaine Holmes talks about his new role as a leader this season and how his acknowledged success from last season drives him to better himself.
Jermaine Holmes Interview
Jermaine Holmes Interview
Tommy Shuler Post Practice Interview
Herd football's Tommy Shuler discusses his first day of practice, his role as a leader and what his goals for this season are.
Tommy Shuler Interview
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Tommy Shuler Interview
Marshall Football afternoon session
Afternoon session is well underway and unlike the morning practice that was full of unfamiliar faces, the offense opened with back-to-back Cato to Shuler passes that appeared to be mid-season throws from the Heisman Trophy candidate. Defense looks relatively the same as last season with the addition of DJ Hunter back in a linebacker and Armonze Daniel working the end.
Deandre Reeves made a nice snag on a pass from Holcombe on a jet route to pull in a long gain. Davonte Allen and Angelo Jean-Louis are working the outsides along with Craig Wilkins and Demtrius Evans.
Deandre Reeves made a nice snag on a pass from Holcombe on a jet route to pull in a long gain. Davonte Allen and Angelo Jean-Louis are working the outsides along with Craig Wilkins and Demtrius Evans.
Thoughts after Herd's morning session
As the first practice for Marshall football's 2014 season got underway this morning inside Joan C. Edwards stadium, many of the faces present were just like the turf, brand new. With freshmen and newcomers to the program filling out many of the uniforms, it was visibly easy to see that nerves hovered over the new members of the Thundering Herd much like the haze that lingered throughout Huntington.
While dropped passes and players lining up in the wrong position were only among the list of early mistakes during the opening session of fall practice, things progressed as the morning wore on as the players began to settle in.
The team worked through 22 different stations with the final workout before the huddle on the block "M" at midfield was offense vs defense 11 on 11. Although the players are only in helmets, shirts and shorts, the intensity level was easily seen that this group was hungry to make an impression to not only the coaches, but also some of the veterans who were also a part of the session.
Senior TE Eric Frohnapfel spent his morning donning one of only three helmets that did not contain a red-stripe--something this must be earned to have the stripe removed--preparing himself for the grind of the three weeks of practice that leads up to the opening game with Miami-Ohio.
"I'm out here with the young guys due to a class conflict," Frohnapfel said. "Its good for me to be able to work with the younger guys and provide the leadership they need to learn what is expected of them at practice."
With full contact practice not permitted until Friday, the field is covered with smiles and up-beat attitudes as players try to do anything to work their way up the depth charts. One of those players was Donquell "Gator" Green.
Although he shares a nickname that many Herd fans know all too well, "Gator", physically there is no comparison to the former Herd TE Gator Hoskins who is currently fighting for a roster spot with the Miami Dolphins. Green, who was Georgia's player-of-the-year, stands 5-8 and weighs only 160 pounds and shows signs of a combination of Tommy Shuler and Devon "Moo-Moo" Smith all in one.
"When the ball is in his hands (Gator), he's Tommy Shuler size and is so dynamic because he's quick as lightning too," Marshall receiver's coach Mike Furrey said.
Green made several quick adjustments on misguided passes to convert an incomplete pass to a completion. His best catch of the morning, a one-handed grab on a ball thrown behind him on a post-route that was an easy six in a live game situation.
Furrey said while it was way to early to think about who would be doing what with the young group he was happy to see the guys come out and compete to get the session off to a positive start.
Another topic of interest for the morning session was the first chance to see Michael Birdsong (will red-shirt due to transfer) and Cole Garvin who will battle with Gunnar Holcombe for the back-up quarterback role that was vacated by Blake Frohnapfel who transferred to Massachusetts.
Garvin seemingly had the better arm early on when working with the receivers as many of his passes hit the intended target on time and in stride, it was Birdsong who marched the offensive unit down the field to end the session with many of those connections going to Green.
One final note from this morning, about the last 10 minutes of the workouts starting offensive linemen Chris Jasperse and Clint Van Horn made an appearance to see the underclassmen at work. I could see each of the members in the line group step up their drive with the presence of the upperclassmen.
No injuries to speak of and all in all, a good start to the 2014 campaign.
This afternoon will be the vets of the team with names like Cato, Shuler and Butler ready to ramp up this high-octane offensive unit while Rouse, Thompson and Holmes prepare to defense to repeat its dominate performance from 2013.
While dropped passes and players lining up in the wrong position were only among the list of early mistakes during the opening session of fall practice, things progressed as the morning wore on as the players began to settle in.
The team worked through 22 different stations with the final workout before the huddle on the block "M" at midfield was offense vs defense 11 on 11. Although the players are only in helmets, shirts and shorts, the intensity level was easily seen that this group was hungry to make an impression to not only the coaches, but also some of the veterans who were also a part of the session.
Senior TE Eric Frohnapfel spent his morning donning one of only three helmets that did not contain a red-stripe--something this must be earned to have the stripe removed--preparing himself for the grind of the three weeks of practice that leads up to the opening game with Miami-Ohio.
"I'm out here with the young guys due to a class conflict," Frohnapfel said. "Its good for me to be able to work with the younger guys and provide the leadership they need to learn what is expected of them at practice."
With full contact practice not permitted until Friday, the field is covered with smiles and up-beat attitudes as players try to do anything to work their way up the depth charts. One of those players was Donquell "Gator" Green.
Although he shares a nickname that many Herd fans know all too well, "Gator", physically there is no comparison to the former Herd TE Gator Hoskins who is currently fighting for a roster spot with the Miami Dolphins. Green, who was Georgia's player-of-the-year, stands 5-8 and weighs only 160 pounds and shows signs of a combination of Tommy Shuler and Devon "Moo-Moo" Smith all in one.
"When the ball is in his hands (Gator), he's Tommy Shuler size and is so dynamic because he's quick as lightning too," Marshall receiver's coach Mike Furrey said.
Green made several quick adjustments on misguided passes to convert an incomplete pass to a completion. His best catch of the morning, a one-handed grab on a ball thrown behind him on a post-route that was an easy six in a live game situation.
Furrey said while it was way to early to think about who would be doing what with the young group he was happy to see the guys come out and compete to get the session off to a positive start.
Another topic of interest for the morning session was the first chance to see Michael Birdsong (will red-shirt due to transfer) and Cole Garvin who will battle with Gunnar Holcombe for the back-up quarterback role that was vacated by Blake Frohnapfel who transferred to Massachusetts.
Garvin seemingly had the better arm early on when working with the receivers as many of his passes hit the intended target on time and in stride, it was Birdsong who marched the offensive unit down the field to end the session with many of those connections going to Green.
One final note from this morning, about the last 10 minutes of the workouts starting offensive linemen Chris Jasperse and Clint Van Horn made an appearance to see the underclassmen at work. I could see each of the members in the line group step up their drive with the presence of the upperclassmen.
No injuries to speak of and all in all, a good start to the 2014 campaign.
This afternoon will be the vets of the team with names like Cato, Shuler and Butler ready to ramp up this high-octane offensive unit while Rouse, Thompson and Holmes prepare to defense to repeat its dominate performance from 2013.
Post Practice Interview with Marshall FB Linebacker Kent Turene
Kent Turene speaks about his first day at practice and how its a blessing to have overcome so many hurdles just to get a chance to start on the practice field this season.
Kent Turene Interview
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Kent Turene Interview
Post Practice Interview with Marshall Football Asst. Coach Mike Furrey
Coach Furrey discusses his new wideouts after the first practice and the importance the new NCAA regulations that allowed summer contact with players has helped prepare the freshmen and newcomers to the program.
Coach Furrey Interview
Coach Furrey Interview
Post Practice Interview with Eric Frohnaphel
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Marshall Football Morning Practice
Here is a list of who is on the field this morning.
Offense:
Hyleck Foster
Donquell Green
Michael Birdsong
Cole Garvin
Andre Scott
Tony Pittman
David Gaydosz
Assani Mudimdi
Jamon Cofield
Jordan Dowrey
Will Mendona
Chris Huhn
Nathaniel Devers
Austin Mays
Fedrice Binot
Chris Alston, Jr
Eric Frohnapfel
Ryan Yurachek
Rodney Allen
Defense:
D'Andre Wilson
Mark Shaver
Michael Johnson
Kaleb Harris
Antavis Rowe
LaDerrick Hammond
Jacob Parker
Ryan Riedel
Kyle Camacho
Kent Turene
Josh Cox
Eli Gates
Ryan Bee
Matt Harless
Tomell One
Blake Keller
Austin Hill
Nigale Cabell
Special Teams:
Justin Haig
Kaare Vedvik
Chad Garrett
Offense:
Hyleck Foster
Donquell Green
Michael Birdsong
Cole Garvin
Andre Scott
Tony Pittman
David Gaydosz
Assani Mudimdi
Jamon Cofield
Jordan Dowrey
Will Mendona
Chris Huhn
Nathaniel Devers
Austin Mays
Fedrice Binot
Chris Alston, Jr
Eric Frohnapfel
Ryan Yurachek
Rodney Allen
Defense:
D'Andre Wilson
Mark Shaver
Michael Johnson
Kaleb Harris
Antavis Rowe
LaDerrick Hammond
Jacob Parker
Ryan Riedel
Kyle Camacho
Kent Turene
Josh Cox
Eli Gates
Ryan Bee
Matt Harless
Tomell One
Blake Keller
Austin Hill
Nigale Cabell
Special Teams:
Justin Haig
Kaare Vedvik
Chad Garrett
Marshall Football Practice Begins
As the fog rises from the Ohio River just outside Joan C. Edwards Stadium, the haze could been seen forming in the distance which means only one thing, its time for football. Marshall began its first official practice of the 2014 season at 9:45 a.m. this morning with eager freshman and hungry newcomers gracing the brand new turf officially beginning the push towards August 30th and a trip to Oxford, Ohio where the Herd opens its season with Miami-OH.
Follow along here as I will update throughout both practices with players performances and answer any questions that I can.
So let it begin...2014 Herd Football is underway!
Follow along here as I will update throughout both practices with players performances and answer any questions that I can.
So let it begin...2014 Herd Football is underway!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Nightmare at Arrowhead
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| Chiefs Linebacker Jovan Belcher Jamie Squire/Getty Images |
The men exited the building to find 25-year-old linebacker Jovan Belcher standing on the other side of the exit doors holding a gun to his head. They engaged in a conversation with Belcher, ending with Belcher thanking them for giving him a chance to play in the NFL. That would be the final words Belcher would say as the four-year player took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The beginning of this tragic morning started just as it ended for Belcher, unfortunately with another person losing their life. Kasandra Perkins, 22, was shot several times in her home Saturday morning. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The unfortunate connection in both deaths was Belcher himself.
Belcher shot Perkins several times in her home after the couple had a dispute. Perkins was Belcher’s girlfriend and mother of his three-month-old daughter. Authorities have yet to release information on a motive for the murder-suicide, only noting the couple had been arguing frequently.
Kansas City mayor Sly James commented to the Kansas City Star regarding the tragedy at Arrowhead. “He’s trying to do his job under probably more adverse circumstances than he’s ever seen in his life,” James said of Pioli. “He knows all the players. He knows that particular player; he’s very emotional.”
James could not imagine of being in Pioli or Crennel’s shoes, adding: “You have absolutely no idea of what it’s like to see somebody kill themselves. If you can take your worst nightmare and put somebody you know and love into that situation, and give them a gun and stand 3 feet from them and watch them kill themselves, that’s what it is like.”
“It’s unfathomable. Think about your worst nightmare and multiply it by five,” James said.
Players and friends of Belcher were stunned by the news, adding that he appeared happy in life and was a model citizen and a happy father.
Belcher’s agent, Joe Linta, told Sports Illustrated’s Peter King on Saturday: “Javon was a happy, proud father, with pictures of his baby on his Facebook page. This is shocking. Something went crazy wrong, and we’ll probably never know what it is.”
“I never take on anyone as a client I wouldn’t be proud to take home and spend time with my wife and kids,” Linta said to King. “Jovan was one of those type of people. There’s no word for this other than shocking. That’s all I can think of.”
While there are numerous victims in this tragedy, no one has been affected more than the three-month-old infant who is now orphaned and will never have the opportunity to know her mother and father.
Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn told the Kansas City Star the team was so stunned, it was hard to digest what had happened.
“It’s hard mostly because I keep thinking about what I could have done to stop this,” Quinn said. “I think everyone is wondering whether we would have done something to prevent this from happening.”
The unfortunate part of this tragedy is so many unknowns that may never be answered. Rather than to provide judgment in this horrific event, the victims should be the main concern moving forward. Pioli and Crennel witnessed something they will never forget and a three-month-old infant is left without her mother and father.
Having children of my own, this story hit close to the heart. I pray that this innocent girl will find happiness in her life and that she will be cared and provided for. Reports were discussed this morning that the Chiefs’ organization plans on playing a substantial role in her care.
No matter how one choses to remember Jovan Belcher, he is and always will be a murderer. However, the true reasoning that lead to this event may never be known.
No one plans for an accident, hence the reasoning of the name. While it is easy to point fingers and cast judgment, the events that occurred cannot be reversed. Only events in the present and future can be changed and learning from mistakes in the past can prevent future reoccurrences.
Depression and suicide are states of mind that may lead one to do something out of the ordinary. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States claiming over 38,000 lives each year as reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Persons considering suicide or to learn more about the signs and symptoms of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433).
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