2007 Season Outlook
The 2006 Bryant University football season was one for the history
books. Powered by one of the nation's best offenses, the Bulldogs
enjoyed the school's best season, not only winning a share of the
program's first Northeast-10 Conference title, but capping the year
off by hosting the school's first-ever NCAA football playoff
game.
While memories of the season remain fresh in the minds of Bulldog
football fans, clean slate lies ahead in 2007.
Now entering his fifth season since taking over the Bryant program
in 2003, head coach Marty Fine has turned the Bulldogs into a
challenger not only within the Northeast-10 Conference, but a
player in the Northeast Region. The Bulldogs achieved their highest
regional ranking of No. 3 last season, earning a right to host a
first round playoff game at Bulldog Stadium.
This year's squad will welcome back eight starters from a defense
that ranked third in total defense in the Northeast-10 and fourth
in scoring defense. However, the conference's top offense of 2006
will have only three starters back as the Bulldogs prepare its
defense of its co-conference championship this fall.
Here's a breakdown of how the Bulldogs look heading into preseason
camp.
QUARTERBACK
The offense, while very young on paper, will at least be under
the direction of sure handed senior Charlie Granatell (Franklin
Lakes, NJ). A starter since stepping foot onto campus back in 2004,
Granatell has set all of Bryant's passing records and is coming off
one of the best seasons of his career in 2006.
Granatell passed for 1,975 yards and 21 touchdowns and finished
ranked No. 2 in the nation with a 167.55 passing efficiency rating.
His accuracy and ability to operate in the pocket were keys to the
team's playoff drive.
Jay Graber (Clarksburg, NJ) will serve as Granatell's primary
backup. The junior saw action in four games, completing a pair of
passes for 42 yards. Sophomore Kurt Spear (Greene, NY) and
sophomore Nick Scardelli (Manalapan, NJ) will give the team
excellent depth.
BACKFIELD
Bryant loses one of New England's best tailbacks in Lorenzo
Perry who graduates with more than 3,000 yards rushing in two
record-breaking seasons with the Bulldogs. But the valuable
leadership and guidance that Perry instilled on the younger
Bulldogs can only pay off.
Looking to fill his shoes will be senior workhorse Chris Peaks
(Silver Spring, Md.). At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, Peaks is a bruising
and powerful runner. Having been with the program since 2004, he's
a veteran who understands the system and will be looked upon to
shoulder much of the load at running back. But he'll have some
help.
Newcomer Jerrel Smith (Brooklyn, NY) and Lindsey Gamble (Boston,
Mass.) have the speed and quickness to give the offense a lift.
Smith, who will wear Perry's old No. 5 this year, is a transfer
from Howard University who brings speed and quickness out of the
backfield and has plenty of potential talent-wise. Gamble looked
strong in the spring football game and should also compete for a
starting role along with junior Justin Williams (Hampton, NH).
The fullback position will have two experienced veterans in Andrew
Salinger (Wyckoff, NJ) and Kevin Anderson (Plainville, Conn.)
return. Both have experience and exceptional blocking skills and
sure-handed skills in short-yardage situations.
RECIEVERS / TIGHT END
Leading receiver Justin Kix has graduated, but Granatell will
have some options to spread things around. Senior Sean Bergin (New
Windsor, NY) is a sure-handed receiver, much in the way that Kix
was during his career. Whether it's a short crossing route across
the middle or beating a corner deep, Bergin will be key in moving
the chains on offense.
Ryan Buckley (Bridgewater, Mass.) and Chris Arnold (Wyckoff, NJ)
are two juniors who played key roles last year in the drive to the
playoffs, while Joey Brito (Pawtucket, RI), who, at six-feet,
two-inches tall, will give Granatell a big target to hit.
The tight ends, may miss the services of the reliable Alex
Chapparo who has graduated, but Fine smiles knowing that the
position will be very good; especially with someone like Tyler
DiGiovanni (Columbia, Conn.) returning for his senior season. A
large target at 6-foot-7, DiGiovanni backed up Chapparo last year
and looks to become involved more in the offense. His size and
strength gives the team excellent downfield and pocket protection
as well.
Sophomore Doug Emerzian (Rowley, Mass.) has a year under his belt
and is another player that should see some balls come his way,
especially after an excellent spring.
OFFENSIVE LINE
One area that might be of concern for Fine rests with the
offensive line. Of course with four of five starters graduated,
there are a few positions to fill. Senior Ralph Squitieri
(Orangeburg, NJ) will anchor the line from the left guard spot
while Barrington Little (Washington, DC), another senior captain
should take over at the right guard spot.
Peter Krafka (Milford, Mass.), Anthony Caliri (Raynham, Mass.),
Jordan Levesque (Fall River, Mass.), Bryan Brady (Floral Park, NY),
Alex Grande (New Bedford, Mass.), Jacob Meyers (Brooks, Ga.), and
Brian Kelly (Westwood, Mass.) will round out the rest of the line
up front.
Krafka enters camp in tremendous shape and both he and Caliri has
plenty of experience under their belt as key backups last year.
They will both be counted on heavily for stability this year.
DEFENSE
While the offense may have been a staple for 2006, this fall,
the Bulldogs look sound on defense. With its entire secondary back
and ready to go plus one of the leagues best down linemen, the
opponents are going to quickly find out how tough it will be to get
through this defense.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Strength, speed, quickness; words that can be used to describe
the Bryant defensive line. Three starters are back in Bryant's
front four including two who should compete for all-conference
honors.
Defensive Mark Gunther (Clarksburg, NJ) set a new school
single-season sack record with 11 ½ and in the process set
the school's career sack record with 20.5. At the other end, James
Lewis (New Haven, Conn.) is another lineman who uses his strength
and quickness off the line to disrupt plays in the backfield. Jay
Stahl (Methuen, Mass.), Patrick Gauthier (Woonsocket, RI) and Alex
Garcia (Philadelphia, Pa.) will be tough to stop up front at the
nose tackle position.
LINEBACKERS
Youth will come into play at the linebacker spot, but the team
will look to sophomore Paul Polomoski (Franklin, Mass.) to lead the
way. After cracking the starting lineup as a freshman, and playing
consistently well throughout the year, Polomski looks to step up
his game in his second year. He's an intelligent player with
excellent mobility and strength.
Nick Candito (West Boylston, Mass.) and Dan Curci (Hasbrouck
Heights, NJ) should compete for the strong and middle linebacker
spots this year with Andre Whyte (Bennington, Vt.), Dan Weaver
(Bloomfield, Pa.), and Christopher Walker (Brooklyn, NY). Curci
took over the starting inside linebacker position last year when
senior Justin Benevides suffered an injury early in the season.
SECONDARY
The last line of the defense should be the strongest position
this season, thanks to the return of all four starters. Bryce
Martins (Uncasville, Conn.) and Michael Morgan (New London, Conn.)
are back at the corners. Sophomore Anthony Thomas (Boston, Mass.)
is expected to see considerable time as well at the corner.
Senior Marcus Lindsey (Bridgeport, Conn.) is coming off a stellar
season at safety while fellow classmate Chris Wohlheter (Newark,
Ohio) is the type of player that makes things happen when he steps
on the field. A dangerous return man, Wohlheter is a punishing
defender. Opponents will have to be aware of where the Bulldog
senior free safety lines up on the field.
A play-maker on defense, Wohlheter was second on the team with 48
tackles a year ago and had three interceptions. But it is his
hard-hitting style of play that will set the tone for the rest of
the defense in forcing team's into turnovers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior Brian Donnelly (East Dennis, Mass.) will be back to
handle the punts and look to compete for the starting place kicking
duties with newcomers Christopher Bird (Monument, Mass.) and Karl
Turner (Woodriver Junction, R.I.). Donnelly averaged 37.1 yards on
34 punts last season - including a 63-yarder. Five were placed
inside the 20 yard line and just one touchback.
Wohlheter and freshman Michael Petrellese (Yonkers, NY) will
handle the punt return duties. Wohlheter was second in the
conference with 11.4 yards per punt return with a long of 39
yards.
