Tuesday Notebook: The latest from Piscataway

The countdown continues until Rutgers’ Saturday afternoon showdown with North Carolina. On Tuesday afternoon, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano addressed the media during his weekly press conference to discuss the latest news from Piscataway.
An increased role
It appears as though redshirt freshman offensive guard Antwan Lowery nfl jerseys
could have an increased role as the season moves on. Schiano commented on the progress of his converted d-tackle.
“He’s getting better. He’s getting more confident in doing what he’s supposed to do. He’s a young guy. He’s played the position for a spring, training camp and two games, but he’s a very talent young guy so we need to keep progressing him. As he gets more and more comfortable, I think he’s going to get better and better.”
The competition on the offensive line also looks like it will continue through the week.
“Antwan Lowery is going to be in the mix. Where Caleb Ruch shows up, that’s to be determined. The tackles are pretty much set with Devon Watkis now coming back. He’s practiced two days now, he’s not 100 percent but I think by the end of the week he’ll be pretty close. So we’ll have a little more depth which creates a little more competition in practice and it gives you options if things are not going the way you like.”
The injury bug
The injury bug has bitten a few Scarlet Knights and the latest to go down is fifth-year senior Edmond Laryea.
“Yesterday, we lost Edmond Laryea for the year,” said Schiano. “It’s a knee, he’s going to need to get surgery eventually. That’s two guys now out for the year, and actually three guys with Rob Horrell, a true freshman, so that starts to pile up on you. We have guys that are trying to come back from some injuries.”
Schiano stated that he is looking into the possibility of getting Laryea a sixth year of eligibility. He also mentioned what kind of impact his loss will have on the team.
“Since he was playing both ways, it definitely impacts us. We’ll move one of the linebackers up, I don’t know. They’re all working right now. [Marvin] Booker is working, Jim Dumont obviously has been backing up all season. Dave Milewski might break into the fold, we’re still trying to decide that. Offensively, Paul Carrezola will work some fullback and we’ll see who else.”
Joe Martinek has also been slowed with an ankle problem, but could return for Saturday’s game.
“Like I’ve said all along, I don’t know if he’s going to be able to make it back, it’s going to be real close,” said Schiano. “Can he make it back? Sure, he can go stand and play, but can he play at the level we need to compete with that defense, I’m not sure. We’re going to have to wait and see. That will be a game time decision.”
If Martinek is unable to go, it could mean the very first start at running back for true freshman Jordan Thomas.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m very confident in Jordan,” said Schiano. “I don’t know, maybe I’m getting old, but I don’t put as much stock on the starting part. The guy knows he’s going to play, he’s going to face that opponent but I probably am. I probably lose sight of it a little bit. I think he’ll do fine no matter what his role is. San Francisco 49ers jersey
I think Jordan is getting better by the day. He has made a big leap from the end of the FIU game until today. I think he’s improved.”
The Wild Knight
In light of Rutgers’ recent offensive struggles, the wildcat has become a more an more popular formation with Mohamed San manning the controls.
“I think as you’ve seen, it’s important to us,” Schiano said of the wildcat. “It’s not a mainstay but it’s something that we do interject. I think what it does, is it changes up the tempo a little bit. How much it comes out, you never know. Some games you go in with the plan to run it five, six times and you end up running it 15 times. Other games you think it’s going to be a big part of the plan and they stop it. Ebbs and flows as an offensive play call, you’re going to have to have a feel for the game.”
The double move
During Rutgers’ 2008 44-12 loss to UNC, the double move helped do the Scarlet Knights in as the secondary was victimized by eventual 3rd and 1st round NFL Draft picks Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nicks. Schiano responded to whether his team will be prepared to contend with those double moves on Saturday.
“We better be. I can’t promise that we are, but we’re working on it. They do a great job, in an organized manner, creating big play opportunities. That’s what they’ve done. [T.J. Yates] is a guy that can make those plays. I think it starts and ends with him. They’re averaging 310 yards a game passing over these first two games and he’s throwing the ball all over the lot. They’ve got talented receivers. You look at their wide receivers and they look like clones. They’re all 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4, tall, good looking guys that can run.”
Much of the personnel has changed on both teams since that loss, although there are benefits of watching the game tape of the 2008 contest.
“I think the only reason that you watch it, is all the coordinators are the same,” said Schiano. “There are a lot of similarities of what they’re doing now and what they did then, and the same thing goes for us. It’s great, if in fact there are similarities to watch yourself.”
Full-time Freeny
This season has introduced senior defensive end Jonathan Freeny to a new role in that he is now playing every down as opposed to just being a pass-rushing specialist. Schiano commented on how Freeny has handled that transition.
“He’s playing at a high level. He doesn’t wear down. We rest him, Sorie Buffalo Bills jersey
[Bayoh] has been able to go in there and take some plays off his plate, we need to do that. He’s still a great third down pass rusher, but I think he’s become an every-down guy.”