For the first time all spring, there was a slightly different look to much of what Robert Morris did offensively in spring ball. Joe Walton's offense is predicated on heavy usage of a fullback, and he's had a number of quality backs in the system. But partially because Robert Morris also uses single-back, two tight-end formations often, Robert Morris spends time working on those sets as well.
That was the case Tuesday, and it probably could not have come at a better time. Robert Morris is down to one healthy scholarship player at running back (Kenny Davis) and one at fullback (Ryan Thermil), along with walk-on Jon Bonilla-Kamen. With four tight ends available and a number of wide receivers, Robert Morris spent the time working on a few different looks. Here's how the depth chart looked in those sets.
DEPTH CHART
QB - Derik Abbott/Paul Jones
RB - Kenny Davis, Ryan Thermil
TE - Andrew Smith, D.J. Pearson
TE - Cory Nolton, Justin Kempka
WR - Donte Jeter, Chad Dawgiello
WR - Duane Mitchell, D.J. Hayes
LT - A.J. Dalton, Dylan Knight
LG - Josh Thiel, Max Robertson
C - Nick Faraci, Anthony Lucien
RG - Vince Mongelluzzo, Josh Thiel
RT - Max Robertson, Dylan Knight
DE - Forrest Mason, Ryan Lewis
DT - Farren Mason, Henry Jartu
DE - Chris Thompkins, T.J. Matrascia
OLB - Adrian Perez, Devon Cesario
MLB - Mike Cook, Matthew Fox
MLB - Luke Mueller, Jimmy Masson
OLB - Kyle Cooper, Jake Tkach
CB - Antwan Eddie, Malik Johnson
S - D.J. Myers, Sam Collins
S - Eric Lowry, Phil Peckich
CB - Marcelis Branch, David Taylor
NOTES
Safety Ky Kenyon, offensive lineman Sean Guy, fullback Corey Garry, defensive end Tyler Potts, defensive tackle R.J. Cook, running back Evan Taylor, offensive lineman Jon Hill, wide receiver Dustin Lowman, corner Keith O'Kelly and safety Wayne Graves all remained out of practice. Quarterback Dalton Raab, running back Deontae Howard, running back Billy Occean, fullback Marty Thomas, linebacker Kimani Smith, and corner Brian Jones were the new faces absent.
Corner Marcelis Branch, defensive tackle Zac Bennett, wide receiver Chad Dawgiello, safety Eric Lowry all returned, while Mark Centofanti made his first appearance in limited duty at linebackerWith Hill still out, Robert Morris offensive line coach Andrew Richardson gave Max Robertson a heavy amount of snaps at right tackle. Robertson spent a lot of time as a back-up tackle last year but never appeared there for a significant stretch in a game. But with mostly interior players in spring camp, he's a logical choice to experiment with outside. Robertson played tackle in high school in a fairly complex offense and he's a smart offensive lineman. The move also gives Robert Morris a longer look at redshirt freshman Josh Thiel at left guard. He might be the most physically gifted out of the linemen brought in last fall, but he redshirted after missing most of camp due to injury. With the right tackle spot open due to the graduation of Nate Hargraves, this is a way to get Thiel into the lineup while not punishing Robertson. That said, there's no doubt that Hill will have a lot to say about the lineup if he returns for the rest of the week and certainly in fall camp. A guy with his athleticism - remember, he's a converted defensive end - will get a long, long look before a decision is made prior to the opener at Eastern Kentucky. Even if Robertson stays at right tackle the rest of the spring, I expect Hill to stat off among the top five in August.
Tight end Cory Nolton has had a strong spring, and he spent a lot of his reps working alongside Andrew Smith. It had been D.J. Pearson working with Smith, who has the most experience at the position, but I think Nolton's bump up was a reward and recognition for his work. Pearson's looked good, but so has Nolton. He didn't play at all with a head injury last year after making a few waves in fall camp. A converted defensive end, his blocking was already on par, but he's shown to be a decent route-runner with surprisingly above average hands. With Justin Kempka also back in the mix after a dalliance with the fullback spot, the tight end rotation will be a lot like the offensive line: A very fluid situation.Even with the new looks at tight end and on the line, the running game was surprisingly more consistent to the naked eye. In days past, it was either a wide opening - usually because of a defensive misstep - or absolutely nothing. Instead, Kenny Davis found fairly consistent room. It wasn't perfect, with plenty of hiccups and aborted attempts to run outside, but he found more room between the tackles than anyone else has had all spring. Davis "scored" at least two touchdowns in 9-on-7 drills and had several other significant runs Good luck picking out a quarterback. Paul Jones and Derik Abbott appear
to be getting the system down quite well from a distance. There are
fewer conversations about decisions and more about mechanics and timing,
common in every spring camp across the country. Saturday will be very interesting to gauge their performance.
Finally, some individual highlights:Phil Peckich had one of the few interceptions of the day, stepping in front of pass in 1-on-1 drills. Clay Ilkin just missed on a pick in 7-on-7 drills.A couple above the line catches in 7-on-7, as D.J. Hayes climbed the ladder to haul in one ball near the sideline, while Luke Centofanti took a pop by the end zone and helicoptered down after making a catch.
Meanwhile, Jones and Abbott both had an opportunity to burn the opposing defense. Jones hit Duane Mitchell over Malik Johnson and Marcelis Branch for a touchdown, splitting the coverage and hitting Mitchell in stride. Abbott, meanwhile, connected perfectly with Sean Gavin. The connection was so strong that it left secondary coach Bill Hurley incredulous, as he yelled out, "How is this possible?"
More from camp tomorrow.
That was the case Tuesday, and it probably could not have come at a better time. Robert Morris is down to one healthy scholarship player at running back (Kenny Davis) and one at fullback (Ryan Thermil), along with walk-on Jon Bonilla-Kamen. With four tight ends available and a number of wide receivers, Robert Morris spent the time working on a few different looks. Here's how the depth chart looked in those sets.
DEPTH CHART
QB - Derik Abbott/Paul Jones
RB - Kenny Davis, Ryan Thermil
TE - Andrew Smith, D.J. Pearson
TE - Cory Nolton, Justin Kempka
WR - Donte Jeter, Chad Dawgiello
WR - Duane Mitchell, D.J. Hayes
LT - A.J. Dalton, Dylan Knight
LG - Josh Thiel, Max Robertson
C - Nick Faraci, Anthony Lucien
RG - Vince Mongelluzzo, Josh Thiel
RT - Max Robertson, Dylan Knight
DE - Forrest Mason, Ryan Lewis
DT - Farren Mason, Henry Jartu
DE - Chris Thompkins, T.J. Matrascia
OLB - Adrian Perez, Devon Cesario
MLB - Mike Cook, Matthew Fox
MLB - Luke Mueller, Jimmy Masson
OLB - Kyle Cooper, Jake Tkach
CB - Antwan Eddie, Malik Johnson
S - D.J. Myers, Sam Collins
S - Eric Lowry, Phil Peckich
CB - Marcelis Branch, David Taylor
NOTES
Safety Ky Kenyon, offensive lineman Sean Guy, fullback Corey Garry, defensive end Tyler Potts, defensive tackle R.J. Cook, running back Evan Taylor, offensive lineman Jon Hill, wide receiver Dustin Lowman, corner Keith O'Kelly and safety Wayne Graves all remained out of practice. Quarterback Dalton Raab, running back Deontae Howard, running back Billy Occean, fullback Marty Thomas, linebacker Kimani Smith, and corner Brian Jones were the new faces absent.
Corner Marcelis Branch, defensive tackle Zac Bennett, wide receiver Chad Dawgiello, safety Eric Lowry all returned, while Mark Centofanti made his first appearance in limited duty at linebackerWith Hill still out, Robert Morris offensive line coach Andrew Richardson gave Max Robertson a heavy amount of snaps at right tackle. Robertson spent a lot of time as a back-up tackle last year but never appeared there for a significant stretch in a game. But with mostly interior players in spring camp, he's a logical choice to experiment with outside. Robertson played tackle in high school in a fairly complex offense and he's a smart offensive lineman. The move also gives Robert Morris a longer look at redshirt freshman Josh Thiel at left guard. He might be the most physically gifted out of the linemen brought in last fall, but he redshirted after missing most of camp due to injury. With the right tackle spot open due to the graduation of Nate Hargraves, this is a way to get Thiel into the lineup while not punishing Robertson. That said, there's no doubt that Hill will have a lot to say about the lineup if he returns for the rest of the week and certainly in fall camp. A guy with his athleticism - remember, he's a converted defensive end - will get a long, long look before a decision is made prior to the opener at Eastern Kentucky. Even if Robertson stays at right tackle the rest of the spring, I expect Hill to stat off among the top five in August.
Tight end Cory Nolton has had a strong spring, and he spent a lot of his reps working alongside Andrew Smith. It had been D.J. Pearson working with Smith, who has the most experience at the position, but I think Nolton's bump up was a reward and recognition for his work. Pearson's looked good, but so has Nolton. He didn't play at all with a head injury last year after making a few waves in fall camp. A converted defensive end, his blocking was already on par, but he's shown to be a decent route-runner with surprisingly above average hands. With Justin Kempka also back in the mix after a dalliance with the fullback spot, the tight end rotation will be a lot like the offensive line: A very fluid situation.Even with the new looks at tight end and on the line, the running game was surprisingly more consistent to the naked eye. In days past, it was either a wide opening - usually because of a defensive misstep - or absolutely nothing. Instead, Kenny Davis found fairly consistent room. It wasn't perfect, with plenty of hiccups and aborted attempts to run outside, but he found more room between the tackles than anyone else has had all spring. Davis "scored" at least two touchdowns in 9-on-7 drills and had several other significant runs Good luck picking out a quarterback. Paul Jones and Derik Abbott appear
to be getting the system down quite well from a distance. There are
fewer conversations about decisions and more about mechanics and timing,
common in every spring camp across the country. Saturday will be very interesting to gauge their performance.
Finally, some individual highlights:Phil Peckich had one of the few interceptions of the day, stepping in front of pass in 1-on-1 drills. Clay Ilkin just missed on a pick in 7-on-7 drills.A couple above the line catches in 7-on-7, as D.J. Hayes climbed the ladder to haul in one ball near the sideline, while Luke Centofanti took a pop by the end zone and helicoptered down after making a catch.
Meanwhile, Jones and Abbott both had an opportunity to burn the opposing defense. Jones hit Duane Mitchell over Malik Johnson and Marcelis Branch for a touchdown, splitting the coverage and hitting Mitchell in stride. Abbott, meanwhile, connected perfectly with Sean Gavin. The connection was so strong that it left secondary coach Bill Hurley incredulous, as he yelled out, "How is this possible?"
More from camp tomorrow.
