TOWSON, Md. - With the season opener against Morgan State only a few days away, the Tigers' offensive unit is anxious to show that it is a much more explosive unit.
While Coach Rob Ambrose acknowledges that the Tiger offense has talent returning, he says that the key to improvement is getting consistent play from the quarterback position.
"We need to get consistent, mistake-free play from our quarterback," he says. "Anyone who has seen us play the last two years knows that has been a problem area for us. We are still very young on the offense but our young guys have gotten a lot of experience."
The Tigers return four starters on the offensive line, although only one of them is a senior.
Senior Henry Glackin (6-4, 280) is the Tigers' most experienced offensive lineman by far. A fourth-year starter who will be one of the Tiger co-captains, Glackin was a starter in nine of 11 games last season at left tackle. Despite a number of injuries, he has started 19 of 25 games In his career.
"Henry had the first completely healthy spring of his career," says Ambrose. "He did very well and that should pay dividends for him. Henry is one of our captains and he is an excellent team leader.
Sophomore Doug Shaw (6-1, 265) returns as the Tigers' starter at offensive center. He started the final six games last season when Steve Jordan was sidelined and he did well. Ambrose says, "Doug is incredibly strong and quick."
A pair of sophomores, Anthony Davis (6-3, 315) and Eric Pike (6-5, 295), are returning starters on the right side of the line. A versatile lineman, Davis appeared in eight games last season. He started five of the final six games in place of an injured Danny Hurley and did well.
One of the Tiger co-captains, Pike emerged as a team leader last season. Pike, who has an incredible work ethic, is a very strong lineman who is very smart.
Sophomore Charles Johnson (6-2, 290) is the least experienced starter on the offensive line but he saw a lot of action last season.
provides talent at offensive guard while converted tight end Cory Kirby (6-6, 270) will compete for playing time at tackle.
Sophomore Randall Harris (6-4, 270) provides depth at guard while converted tight end Cory Kirby (6-6, 270) and Drew Bellamy (6-5, 295), a "red shirt" freshman, will contribute at the tackle spots.
"Our offensive line has come a long way," says Ambrose. "Two years ago, it was a huge problem area for us. Now, it could be one of the strongest aspects of our team."
The tight end position is wide open this season. Junior Mike Evans (6-6, 235) is one of the top candidates for playing time while sophomore James Oboh (6-4, 230) was impressive in limited action last season.
A pair of "red shirt" freshmen, Daniel Vaughan (6-3, 235) and Drew Stanford (6-5, 255) could also contribute.
Despite the loss of All-CAA selection Hakeem Moore, Coach Ambrose is very excited about his group of wide receivers this season.
A trio of juniors, Erron Banks, Alex Blake and Tom Ryan, are the top veterans. But they are being pushed by a number of newcomers.
Banks led the Tigers with 40 receptions for 334 yards last season. A solid possession receiver, he has caught 46 passes for 445 yards in two seasons.
"Erron is a rangy receiver with experience," says Ambrose. "We are expecting a lot from him this year."
The Tigers' top breakaway threat, Blake had 17 receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns last season. He has 23 receptions for 332 yards and three touchdowns in his career.
"Alex was one of our most improved players in the Spring," admits the Tiger coach. "He is very fast and he is a much smarter receiver now. We have high expectations for Alex."
Despite missing four games with an ankle injury last season, Ryan caught 26 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns last year. A hard-nosed receiver who catches the ball well in traffic, he has caught 44 passes for 435 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the last two seasons.
"Tom does an amazing job catching the ball in the middle of the field," says Ambrose. "He is a tough receiver with great hands and he could have a big season for us."
"The competition for playing time at wide receiver will be very intense," predicts Coach Ambrose. "We have a lot of guys who can be productive. It's a good situation to have."
During the pre-season, the Tigers receiving corps received an additional boost when Leon Kinnard and Gerrald Sheppard transferred from Connecticut.
"Red shirt" freshmen Justen Davis and Derrick Joseph were impressive in the Spring and should contribute. Joseph will also give a boost to the Tigers' special teams.
Sophomore Spencer Wilkins and newcomer Arione Scott will also compete for playing time while senior Kyle Moore adds experience to the unit.
Led by veteran junior Tremayne Dameron, the Tigers have depth in their backfield. A durable player who has appeared in all 22 games the last two seasons, Dameron has rushed for 1,065 yards with 13 touchdowns in his career. He has been a workhorse for the Tigers but he will get a lot more rest this season.
Veterans Dominique Booker and Nygee Carmichael also return. Booker ran for 267 yards and scored one touchdown last year. Carmichael gained 139 yards on 36 carries before missing the final five games with an injury.
The Tigers, who averaged 133 rushing yards per game last year, will also receive a boost from three newcomers, sophomore Sterlin Phifer, transfer student Trea Jones and first-year freshman Terrance West.
A transfer from Boston College, Phifer ran for 101 yards on 17 carries last season. An outstanding scholastic runner in North Carolina, Jones is a transfer from Colorado who did not play for the Buffs.
A product of Baltimore's Northwestern High School, West was a standout during the Spring. In the Tiger Bowl, he ran for 89 yards and scored a touchdown.
"Tremayne Dameron has been a workhorse for us the last two years," says Ambrose. "He may not get as many carries for us this season so he could be more productive.
"Dominique had an excellent Spring," he added. "He has gotten much stronger and he has become a better team leader. Nygee had a solid Spring but we need to keep him healthy.
"Sterling has a tremendous pedigree and he could really help us," says the Tiger coach. "We didn't see what he can do because he was hurt during the Spring. Terrance is a very talented back. He is very strong and he has great balance."
At fullback, the Tigers are well-stocked with senior Tyler Wharton, a second team All-CAA selection last year.
"Tyler is a very intellegent player and he is very strong," says Ambrose. "We are counting on him to have a good year."
Senior Paul Stefanik and junior Billy Stup will also see action at fullback. Stefanik missed the entire 2010 season with a knee injury but he should be ready to go.
All of that leads back to the quarterback position where Ambrose is still undecided between Peter Athens and Grant Enders.
Athens, a "red shirt" sophomore, started the Tigers' first five games as a first-year freshman in the 2009 season. However, he suffered an ACL injury against Delaware and missed the rest of the season. He spent the 2010 season on the sidelines while recovering from his injury.
As a first-year freshman, Athens completed 59 of 112 passes for 691 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 132 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown.
With Athens directing the offense in the first five games, the Tigers averaged 17.4 points and 277.6 yards of total offense per game. In the final six games, the Tigers were held to 10.2 points and 229.0 yards per game.
"Two years ago, Pete was really coming along at the time of his injury," Ambrose recalls. "We were excited at the progress he was making. When he got hurt, it really hindered our growth."
Enders is a transfer from Lackawanna Junior College who earned All-State honors at Old Mill High School three years ago. He has been very impressive in the pre-season and should contribute.
"The competition has made each of us better," says Enders, who passed for over 2,000 yards as a senior at Old Mill. "We push each other and we work together and we want what's best for the team."
Junior Brian Potts is also competing for playing time at quarterback. Last season, Potts appeared in five games and started once. He threw for 157 yards and one touchdown. An outstanding student, he was the Tigers' Scholar-Athlete Award winner last year.
He will also be one of the Tiger co-captains this year.
"Brian has made tremendous improvement over the last two years," says Ambrose. "He has a strong arm and he is very intelligent. We were impressed with his performance during the Spring."
The Tigers also have a pair of newcomers competing for playing time at the quarterback position.
Freshmen Connor Frazier and Price Litton will add depth to the position.
Frazier, a first team All-State quarterback in the state of Maryland, led Damascus High School, to a 12-1 record and the state championship. He passed for 2,099 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior. Litton threw for 1,081 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior for Providence Day School in North Carolina.
The Tigers have only two practice sessions remaining before they open the season against Morgan State on Saturday night.
