Shepherd Swagger

As the Shepherd Rams football team gear up for the 2010 campaign, there is something different about this year's team that almost that could be felt on Media Day.

It could be called confidence, it could be called cocky, but there is another name for it.

Swagger.

"Missing the playoffs at Shepherd will always be considered a bust, but we have a team that is coming together this year that can make it if we do our jobs right," senior inside linebacker Brian Taylor said.

The reason for such optimism comes from a number of sources, one being a group of players that saw some plenty of playing time last year.

"We had a lot guys playing last year that were young, but this year, they'll know what we are doing this year," junior running back Thomas Addison said, "Now everyone knows their jobs."

Taylor echoed Addison's comments, pointing out how the team's chemistry had also changed.

Senior offensive lineman Geoff Frye echoed Addison's comments.

"The last few seasons we have to rebuilt, and the chemistry is coming together quickly because we have everyone back,"

The team's chemistry early on also produces results at practice too.

"We've come a long way so fast," senior wide receiver Nikkolai Norrell said, "We are further ahead and being able to add things to the offense that usually had to wait until later on"

But the Rams aren't just talking, they're out on the field trying to prove it.

In the scrimmage last Saturday, senior quarterback Kevin Clancy showed led the offense on several scoring drives, hooking up with sophomore receiver Larry Lowe, senior fullback Bobby Humphries.

Addison also made his way to the endzone, showing off his speed and ability to break tackles, along with junior running back Nate Hoyte punching in a touchdown.

The offensies abilty also displayed another reason for Shepherd's optimist in the Rams receiving corps.

"This is one of the the deepest receiving corp I've ever had," Cater said, a 29 year coaching veteran, 24 of those with the Rams.

Clancy will still have junior wide receiver Neal Hardie, Lowe and Norrell, along with new comers and transfers junior Robert Byrd and Senior Scot Riddell, a member of the Richmond Spiders' 2008 Division I Football Championship Subdivision Championship team.

"We have a mix of speed and size and I think that will create mismatches. I hope we create a lot of problems for the other team's defense," wide receivers coach Mike Silecchia said.

The defense also showed play making ability as Senior linebacker Bryan Hansel was able to pick off a tipped ball, diving to scoop it up before it hit the turf along with freshman defensive back Nick Marth picked off a pass from back up quarterback Bobby Cooper, returning it 25 yards before being forced out of bound just before the goal line.

"Experience is a big difference this year, we'd get a lead and slack off last season, but now we have a group that is mentely tough," junior defensive back Elijah Davis said.

Another factor on this tear's team is assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Ernie McCook, who returned after a one year stint at Liberty University as a tight ends coach.

Though the excitement and buzz was all around at Ram Stadium, Cater was quick to point out that the Rams still have work to do before the first game.

"We're excited now like we should be before the season starts, but I want to see what happens when we don't play well how we respond, and we'll find out quickly when we play Shippensburg," Cater said.