Sophomore cornerback Reggie Rembert did not participate in today’s practice because of a “slight twinge” in his hamstring, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. Calhoun said Rembert should be able to practice Wednesday. Senior corner Kevin Rivers also did not practice Monday because he was sick. …
Senior Z receiver Ty Paffett practiced on Monday and will attempt to go through his first contact practice of the season on Wednesday. Paffett, who had a pair of back surgeries in the offseason, hopes to return for the Falcons’ game Oct. 4 against Navy.
“I think he’s got to have (contact) this week and next week if he’s going to play next Saturday,” Calhoun said. “He’s convinced that he will. I think we’ll see. I think Wednesday will be a little bit of a step for him. I don’t think it tells you he’s ready, but I think for him it at least gets him over a little bit of a hump.” …
Only two changes on the two-deep chart released Monday – both at X receiver. With Spencer Armstrong (fractured fibula) out indefinitely, sophomore Kevin Fogler moved up to the top spot at that position, while junior Josh Cousins now is listed as the backup. Check out tomorrow’s edition of The Gazette for a story on Cousins.
Losing WR Armstrong is upsetting. Sad that his senior year had to end in injury.
We’ve now lost Spencer Armstrong and Travis Dekker. These two were starting receivers, and losses like that have to hurt. Is there any word on when or whether Dekker will be able to return?
Jake and Falcon –
There is a chance Spencer could return before the end of the season – perhaps in November and for a possible bowl game.
Dekker is up in the air. He was wearing a red jersey at practice on Monday and did not participate in most of the drills (he spent time on his own catching passes and doing work with trainers). There is an outside chance he could be back for Navy. But if he’s not 100 percent, coaches probably won’t rush him back. They’d rather have him 100 percent for six games than 75-80 for eight games (with the chance of re-injuring the ankle).
This is really an odd and end….. I doubt you will find too many D-1 football programs that mid season will admit that they need to, and are going to, spend time worrying about academics (see quote below) – how very refreshing that Calhoun realizes this, and is willing to sacrafice practice time in order to focus on the real reason those guys are at the academy. Just one more feather in his cap as far as I am concerned.
The thing that we’ve got to do is just academically we’ve got to make some hay here over the next 10 days,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “I know we’ve got to make hay in physics, we’ve got to make hay in law, computer science. That’s part of developing as a football team at the Air Force Academy.”
Good point FalconfanII. Every once in a while, Calhoun will say something that really reinforces the fact that he’s a grad, and completely understands what these guys are going through. Being a grad himself, I’m surprised Hans Mueh doesn’t consider it outright gospel that there be at least one grad on every team’s staff.