Update from Broncos training camp

Broncos training camp: Day 3

ENGLEWOOD — Broncos tight end Marquez Branson is generating a lot of buzz for a practice squad player.

His coach has bragged about him, his teammates have raved about him.

With the Broncos in search of another pass-catching tight end to replace Tony Scheffler, whom they traded to Detroit in the offseason, Branson might very well be the solution.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels certainly believes so.

“You didn’t see him last year, but we have very high expectations and high hopes for him,” McDaniels said.

. . .

He would play the role of an opposing team’s tight end in practice to give the defense a feel for what it would be like on game day.

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Branson particularly excelled at emulating [Antonio] Gates.

He was that hard to cover.

So, who is Taylor Schuyler

It’s been a while since signing day in February, and his name wasn’t one that I remembered. So, I had to do some research, and I’ll share it with you.

From the signing day write-up on ucasports:
Taylor Schuyler • 6-3, 235, DL
Bixby, Okla. • Bixby HS
• 2009 5A Oklahoma Coaches All-State selection
• 2009 Tulsa All-Metro Team
• Recorded 149 tackles and 8 sacks as a senior
• 2009 5A All-Star selection
• Led team in tackles and sacks during junior and senior seasons
• Two-time 5A State semifinalist
• 2-star rated by ESPN.com

I don’t know why this didn’t jump out at me back in February, but 149 tackles? For a defensive end/tackle? Are you kidding me? Nice.

The only other information that I found easily was the ESPN evaluation. Unfortunately it’s Insider info, so I can’t copy and paste everything without getting into trouble. But they do have a bit before the cut off and a highlight video:

Schuyler is a hard nosed and high motor player. He plays on both sides of the ball in high school, but with his physical nature and motor he will most likely end up on defense in college. He could project to end, but we feel with his build he will most likely grow into and fit best as a defensive tackle.

Schuyler played some at tight end in high school as well. The rest of the ESPN eval is complimentary. He gets off the ball well, is labeled as tough, active and gritty, but might need some work as a pass rusher.

Regardless of what anyone else thinks, the coaches must think highly of him at this point. Even if they are just trying to send a message to other ends (Knowlton immediately comes to mind), they could have just put Lett as the backup to the right and left starters like they did with Lehocky.

* picture from coachesaid.com, who listed Schuyler as one of the top 10 d-lineman (of what I’m not sure; Oklahoma? the Tulsa area?)

Media Day Update

A few Updates from SLC Media day.

1. We got a look a the new helmet at the SLC’s Facebook gallery:
   
2. We also got a look at the first released depth chart that I’ve seen heading into the fall. Which you can see here.
   Updates from my guess two weeks ago include:
   Croom ahead of Landers
   Govan ahead of Dickerson at left tackle
   Taylor Schuyler (a true freshman!) is Carter’s backup at defensive end.
   Opeloye ahead of Sims at WLB
3. And the SLC has released some quotes from the coaches and players here.
   We don’t learn a lot of new things from the UCA guys. But, you can still see what Conque, Carter and Landers had to say.
4. Finally, the SLC has made the 2010 conference media guide available.

SLC Media Day

Well, it’s SLC Media Day. And so far they’ve released the polls and the preseason all-conference teams.

Southland Preseason Polls

2010 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams

First Team Offense
RB Jackie Hinton Central Arkansas 5-11 200 So. Houston, Texas
FB/HB Rico Moss Central Arkansas 6-1 236 Sr. Hope, Ark.
WR Willie Landers Central Arkansas 6-2 204 Sr. El Dorado, Ark.
OL Austin Emerson Central Arkansas 6-3 292 Sr. Sperry, Okla.
PK Eddie Carmona Central Arkansas 6-0 211 Sr. Charleston, Ark.

First Team Defense
DL Markell Carter Central Arkansas 6-4 248 Sr. Bartlesville, Okla.

Second Team Defense
DB Henry Minor Central Arkansas 5-10 180 Sr. Baton Rouge, La.

Farris Center Floor Renovation

UCASports.com has updated the Facebook gallery with what looks like photos of the finished product.

What do you think of the new floor?

Before:

After:

More photos here at the official ucasports facebook page.

Statement from UCA Athletics

Statement from Coach Clint Conque:
During a period of time in my life I made some poor personal decisions. I had an inappropriate relationship in the past that I regret and these mistakes and missteps have hurt the ones that I love the most. While we have been dealing with these issues privately, I regret that we must now deal with this in a public manner. I take sole and complete responsibility for my actions as my family and I continue the process of healing and rebuilding. I want to once again sincerely apologize first to my family, also to the university community, the administration, the university’s athletic staff, and to our football staff and team. I will emerge from this a better man, husband, father and coach. I appreciate the support that I have received from the Board of Trustees, President Meadors, Dr. Teague, and the university during this extremely difficult time.

I would genuinely appreciate everyone extending Angele and my three sons the privacy and compassion needed to move forward in our personal lives. I look forward to the 2010 football season and the beginning of fall practice.

Statement from Dr. Brad Teague:
Coach Conque admitted to an inappropriate relationship in his past. He has been honest and forthright regarding his mistakes and has been working on rebuilding his relationship with his family. We support his efforts in his personal life and truly hope these efforts are successful.

Coach Conque and his family have been a large part of our university and community for many years. It is our hope he can mend his personal relationships and we are confident that he will continue to maintain a great football program for our university. We look forward to having Coach Conque and his staff lead our program this fall.

I agreed to having Coach Conque make this public personal statement to end any speculation prior to the beginning of the fall season. His issue is in the past and he has done everything correctly to assure me we are on course for a great fall campaign. As this is a personal matter for Coach Conque and his family, I will have no further comment on this issue.

Statement from UCA President Allen Meadors:
Coach Conque has done a lot for this university, the community, and for our football program over the past decade.

Coach Conque has admitted to making errors in his judgment regarding his personal life and he is working through this very personal matter with his family. We ask that everyone respects the coach’s privacy as he and his family work through this matter.

The university is moving forward and we are focusing on the upcoming academic year, and we look forward to a great and exciting football season.