Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Spring Practice Position Breakdown: Quarterbacks
4/12/2012 4:43:00 PM | Football
With last year's disappointing 3-9 record leaving a bad taste in their mouths, the Troy Trojans are looking to get back to the top of the Sun Belt. In order to do that, Troy must discover what they'll be working with as they head into battle for the 2012 season. TroyTrojans.com is offering a positional breakdown of the Trojans as spring practice unfolds.
Today's installment will focus on the quarterbacks, where junior Corey Robinson looks to improve while JUCO transfer Deon Anthony will offer a different look to defenses.
When a team goes 3-9, not many things can be said to have gone right for it. The quarterback play was not bad by any stretch, but the expected improvement from Robinson in his second season as starter was nowhere to be seen. Robinson's touchdown total decreased by seven from 28 to 21. He threw for 300 less yards and his completion percentage went down. While the interception total remained the same (15), Robinson tossed at least one pick in all but one game last season.
With Troy head coach Larry Blakeney stating that the team will have a renewed emphasis on fundamentals, one would have to assume that this starts with taking care of the ball and having stronger play at the leadership position, and Blakeney believes that Robinson is primed for a big year, thanks to his ability to fight through adversity last year as well as his on-field talents.
“I want to see him continue to work hard and practice well, and he's doing that,” Blakeney said of Robinson. “A lot of the things that happened to Corey came from losing a couple guys to eligibility and injury at receiver and I think he fought through it pretty well. He's a record setting quarterback here and he can make good things happen.”
There's also going to be a shakeup of sorts as former quarterback K.D. Edenfield moves to Y receiver. In addition to the continued development of Dallas Tidwell and Luke Barnes, Blakeney expressed some excitement in newcomer Deon Anthony, a JUCO transfer from Hinds (Miss.) Community College that brings the dual-threat element to the position.
“I think it (Anthony's abilities) will give us some mix if he continues to grow with the offense and learn what to do. He's a sharp young man,” Blakeney said. “I like what I see so far with him coming out of winter and even in the first practice. Deon gives us a chance to have a Wildcat-type guy than can throw so we'll see how he progresses with the offense and his role in the offense as spring goes.”
However, until further notice, Blakeney has confirmed that Robinson heads into spring as the lead dog. But with the presence of Anthony, Blakeney expects for Robinson to raise his game on the field, as he has raised his leadership ability off of it.
“Corey is our quarterback. We're looking for competition, want competition and encourage competition. I think for the most part Corey has always responded to competition. He's had a good practice and he's had a great winter, a great off-season. He's been a leader in the offseason. I think he's ready to continue to improve,” Blakeney said.
Robinson sounded eager to prove himself over again, stating that competition is a theme for spring practice.
“Nobody's job is safe right now after a season like that,” Robinson said during an interview with the Dothan Eagle. “We've got to come out here and compete and make each other better and that's going to make the whole team better.”
Anthony, also a junior is aware that no matter what happens, he is ready and prepared to contribute in any manner that he can. Yet, the new kid on the block is looking to push the incumbent as well.
“They want me to come in and push him, but if I don't win the job, they said they can use me at receiver or in some quarterback packages,” Anthony said in a previous interview with the Dothan Eagle. “I feel like there will still be a place for me on the offense.”
If this competition is able to raise the game of Robinson as well as add the dynamic Anthony as a change of pace, then the quarterback position at Troy will be one that should be dominated by a steady hand and strong play, with Robinson expected to man the fort.
Today's installment will focus on the quarterbacks, where junior Corey Robinson looks to improve while JUCO transfer Deon Anthony will offer a different look to defenses.
When a team goes 3-9, not many things can be said to have gone right for it. The quarterback play was not bad by any stretch, but the expected improvement from Robinson in his second season as starter was nowhere to be seen. Robinson's touchdown total decreased by seven from 28 to 21. He threw for 300 less yards and his completion percentage went down. While the interception total remained the same (15), Robinson tossed at least one pick in all but one game last season.
With Troy head coach Larry Blakeney stating that the team will have a renewed emphasis on fundamentals, one would have to assume that this starts with taking care of the ball and having stronger play at the leadership position, and Blakeney believes that Robinson is primed for a big year, thanks to his ability to fight through adversity last year as well as his on-field talents.
“I want to see him continue to work hard and practice well, and he's doing that,” Blakeney said of Robinson. “A lot of the things that happened to Corey came from losing a couple guys to eligibility and injury at receiver and I think he fought through it pretty well. He's a record setting quarterback here and he can make good things happen.”
There's also going to be a shakeup of sorts as former quarterback K.D. Edenfield moves to Y receiver. In addition to the continued development of Dallas Tidwell and Luke Barnes, Blakeney expressed some excitement in newcomer Deon Anthony, a JUCO transfer from Hinds (Miss.) Community College that brings the dual-threat element to the position.
“I think it (Anthony's abilities) will give us some mix if he continues to grow with the offense and learn what to do. He's a sharp young man,” Blakeney said. “I like what I see so far with him coming out of winter and even in the first practice. Deon gives us a chance to have a Wildcat-type guy than can throw so we'll see how he progresses with the offense and his role in the offense as spring goes.”
However, until further notice, Blakeney has confirmed that Robinson heads into spring as the lead dog. But with the presence of Anthony, Blakeney expects for Robinson to raise his game on the field, as he has raised his leadership ability off of it.
“Corey is our quarterback. We're looking for competition, want competition and encourage competition. I think for the most part Corey has always responded to competition. He's had a good practice and he's had a great winter, a great off-season. He's been a leader in the offseason. I think he's ready to continue to improve,” Blakeney said.
Robinson sounded eager to prove himself over again, stating that competition is a theme for spring practice.
“Nobody's job is safe right now after a season like that,” Robinson said during an interview with the Dothan Eagle. “We've got to come out here and compete and make each other better and that's going to make the whole team better.”
Anthony, also a junior is aware that no matter what happens, he is ready and prepared to contribute in any manner that he can. Yet, the new kid on the block is looking to push the incumbent as well.
“They want me to come in and push him, but if I don't win the job, they said they can use me at receiver or in some quarterback packages,” Anthony said in a previous interview with the Dothan Eagle. “I feel like there will still be a place for me on the offense.”
If this competition is able to raise the game of Robinson as well as add the dynamic Anthony as a change of pace, then the quarterback position at Troy will be one that should be dominated by a steady hand and strong play, with Robinson expected to man the fort.
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - April 16
Thursday, April 16