Inside The "O"

I am writing this from 34,000 feet as I am on a plain returning from vacation, but there is a lot of news related “stuff” to get to dealing with the Pride. From what I can sense talking to players, right now the team is sort of learning who they are. Players are finding their roles, even changing positions in some cases. Coaches are trying new formations and plays to see what works best with the roster. Basically, the whole team is trying to mesh to be the best they can be come game one (September 10th at John Jay East Fishkill).


Other changes:

The offense: From what I've heard, coach Ricci is experimenting with some new formations for the offense. He could just be testing things out, but players seem to be having fun playing in what one source told me is “a more pro-style offense.” I also think Ricci may open up the offense a little bit with the big armed BC (Brian Connolly) taking snaps. Look for a little shot gun as well. Ricci loves to mix things up.

The defense: I have also heard that coaches are exploring the idea of making changes in the defense. Without getting into to much detail right now the idea is that with an undersized but fast team, this newly looked defense will highlight the team's quickness.

Defensive tackle and leader Jordan Archible thinks these changes will benefit the team. “We aren't the biggest or strongest team around, so our coaches did an excellent job of using out speed on the d-line to neutralize that weakness,” said Archible.

Wide receiver Mark Clancy, who is new to Ossining, has switched from wide receiver to running back according to a team source. Coaches are very hopeful about him and he could be an underrated player to watch out for. Kevin Guzman has reportedly been called a “utility” player. He was originally a quarterback and has recently been playing at wide out. In the end I think he will be a guy playing multiple positions, catching passes, throwing in trick plays, and maybe even active on special teams. He will be one of those do-it-all type of guys this year.

The Pride will be tested for the first time this week with a few big scrimmages. On Thursday, September 2nd, Ossining will host Suffern, Greely, Lincoln, and Yonkers in what I have heard will be a round robin style event. This will be a great test for each team and should be quite a spectacle at OHS. I will be there with all the coverage. The booster club will also have their tent set up for fans.

Ossining will also scrimmage Briarcliff next Saturday, September 4th, in more of a real game atmosphere, just without kickoffs.

Senior Louis Rodriguez is excited for these scrimmages and thinks that the Pride are looking pretty good. “We are finding new people in new spots and it's making us very versatile. We have a lot of speed and we are going to have some soul searching come scrimmage time this week,” said Rodriguez.

Clearly Ossining has a lot to learn, but they are certainly on the right path toward success.

It is day one of two-a-days, around nine o'clock in the morning. Coach Ricci is sporting a cowboy-esq sun hat very similar to that of Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban (some players even kid around and call their head coach Ricc Saban). Players are working and getting back into the swing of things. The team is focused and excited to begin their 2010 football season. Players are quite enthusiastic but below that straw hat lies coach Ricci's eyes. What does he see? What does he expect? What are realistic expectations for this team that has lost so many key players, and can this team beat the odds and shock the many doubters?

Over the last several years, Ossining football has had some amazing teams and star players. From Jauan Perez to Justin Kreamer to James Brundage to Dakota Degree, the Pride has always had a dynamic weapon that could make a game changing play at any moment. Just from last year alone, the Pride lost key players such as Kyle Davy, Joe Riley, Lemar Johnson, and Matt Laccetti to graduation, plus Daquante Washington and Darrick Ridenhour as transfers to the Brunswick school. When you add the fact that Ossining is moving up to the more competitive class AA, it is fair to think Ossining football may be due for a down year.

This year's squad really has no one star. You could ask five different people who the best player on the team is and you could easily get five different answers. There is a positive in that. No one player is above the team and everyone has a great chance to compete for playing time. But at the same time there is no one guy where you can say, here's the ball, now score, and that will make things more difficult. With Lemar Johnson and Matt Laccetti last year, Ossining could score at any point. Laccetti was always a threat on the run and Johnson had the ability to pass or run for first downs. This year guys will have to learn how to make plays and Ricci will have to figure out as the season progresses who his game changers are. There aren't a ton of ball handlers (receivers, running backs, or quarterbacks) with a lot of in game experience. Guys like Louis Rodriguez and Alex Anthony do have varsity experience, but to this point they haven't proved that they could take over a game.

So I guess if unproven is a good word to describe this team, another would have to be hard working. These guys bust their butts in the weight room and they want to win. The question is, can they?

It is hard at this point for me to say what the strength of this team is. Quarterback Brian Connolly has a rocket arm and at 6'5 he can be great, but he's still learning the system and that takes time. Wesley Dyer knows the system, but can he consistently throw the deep ball? Alex Anthony runs hard, but is he ready in his fourth year on varsity to be a real offensive weapon. Louis Rodriguez wants it bad, but can he block, lower his shoulder, and be the tough guy that a fullback needs to be? Will guys like Jordan Archible (arguably the team’s best overall player), Ian Motley, and Peter Hoffman be the type of leaders that this team needs?

There are so many unanswered question marks right now which will make for an interesting season. Although some people have lowered their expectations for the Pride this year, the team certainly has not. In fact, they seem to be drinking up all the “hater-aid” and using it as motivation. They still believe they can compete for a section title, and to be perfectly hones,t why shouldn’t they? We all know anything is possible when you have coach Ricci (with or without his straw hat) on the sidelines.

This is a cool clip of Jordan Archible breaking down the Ossining huddle. If you don't get the goosebumps watching this then check your heartbeat people!

As you guys know I host a sports talk radio show called Chatterblog on Sunday mornings at 11AM. Today after practice I spoke with head coach, Dan Ricci about the team. I will be playing that interview tomorrow on my show at 11AM so check it out. It isn't a long interview but there is plenty of interesting stuff that came out of our conversation. I also might have some players on the show such as Louis Rodriguez and possibly Jordan Archible. Listen to the show by clicking HERE. You can listen live or on demand and also expect to see the same interview with Ricci on the blog soon in a video report. Enjoy and email me any questions you may have. 

Come over to Stop&Shop today  (Saturday, August 21st) to get your vehicle washed by the Ossining High School Cheerleaders.  

Competition runs deep throughout sports and even in the media. Both MSG Varsity and the Journal News stopped by yesterday at practice to check out the squad. Who do they think they are stomping on my ground?...haha just kidding!