Our relative health couldn't last forever.
Kevin Haslam, Rutgers' starting left guard, went down early in practice with an ankle injury. While Greg Schiano said he didn't know the severity of the injury, the Rutgers coach acknowledged that it was the same ankle that Haslam had surgically repaired in April.
"It's his ankle,'' Schiano said, only adding, "we'll see'' when asked if it's an injury of lasting concern.
Haslam, who played in all 13 games last fall, starting six at right guard, was having a solid summer by all accounts. The 6-foot-7, 290-pound junior appeared firmly entrenched as the replacement for two-year starter Mike Fladell.
While redshirt sophomore Howard Barbieri manned the position after Haslam went down, Schiano said it was premature to get into who would move in if Haslam is out for an extended period.
"If he's out,'' Schiano said, "we'll make some decisions.''
Rutgers had already shuffled its second-team line, essentially having left guard Matt Hardison and center Marlon Romulus trade positions.
"I think Rumulus not having to have the ball in his hands, I think he's a better guard than center,'' Schiano said. "We'll see if that's true.''
In other news, Robinson was active in practice yesterday. Dennis Campbell returned as well. Most of the depth chart appears set:
While the majority of Rutgers' starting spots on offense and defense appear set, Schiano said right guard and strong safety are two positions he'll be keeping a close eye on in the scrimmage. ""I want to see how (Caleb) Ruch plays, see how he does,'' Schiano said of Rutgers' current starter at right guard. Zaire Kitchen and Joe Lefeged, meanwhile, will battle it out at safety.
I did a Q&A last week for Saturday Sound Offs. It was posted yesterday. The one thing I regret at this point is not mentioning Bines as part of the DT rotation.
Former crosstown rivals Joe Lefeged and Jourdan Brooks both look to see playing time this fall.
Local television in Fresno inteviewed Wilford Brimley-er-Pat Hill.
GBNReport profiled Courtney Greene's status as a prospect for next year's NFL draft.
5. Courtney Greene, Rutgers - 6-2, 210, SR … 2007 Statistics: 101 tackles, 4 Pass Def., 3 Hurries, INT, sack
Greene is the prototypical lunch pail player who has been extremely productive during his career with Rutgers. A starter from Day 1 in the Scarlet Knights secondary, Greene has been a steadying force on the defense, and one of the building blocks for the programs’ turnaround. He has recorded 299 career tackles, with at least 80 coming in every season, and had a career best in his freshman year with 116 stops. He may translate to more of a strong safety at the next level because he is a better player against the run, and has the size for it. Either way he is also a good blitzer, which both positions will do. He is very durable, as he has not missed a game over the last 3 years, but he also didn’t come up with as many turnovers last season as he had in his first two. Like Lake, he is not the greatest athlete, and will not tear up the Combine like other players will, but he has a high football IQ, and does not get caught out of position very often. He would be a first round pick if he was a freakish athlete, and probably wouldn’t be back for his senior year if he was, but is a solid first day prospect.
Ray Rice had some screen time yesterday morning on the Today Show. Scroll to 7:03 in.
How's Brian Leonard doing?
Running back Brian Leonard sprained his shoulder Saturday and Linehan said he would be "pretty iffy" for next week's preseason game against the Ravens.
The long-awaited Leonard/Rice showdown will have to be put on hold for now.
CardChronicle posted their 2008 BE preview. My only complaint is with another gratuitous "Greg Schiano is leaving soon" reference. It should probably wait until my next BE update, but Louisville just took another huge hit by losing WR Scott Long to a foot injury. That's both of their projected starting receivers down now.