Summer time Grind

The summer is not vacation for football players the summer is the longest period of time you have to get stronger, faster, and just become a better football player.It is a time when we stay on campus in non- air conditioned dorms and only $250 to our name and try to survive while the rest of the student-body sits at home or goes on vacation. Now im not saying the summer time is not fun for us because it definitely is its just that we have to keep a close eye on how in shape we are. The reason for this is because when we report for camp we all have to past a running test. This running test consist of us running 16x110 yarders in under 14 seconds if you are a skilled position, 16sec if you are any other position. If we do not make this test then suffer serious consequences. This is why the summer is so important to us.

Getting Personal: Ty Bynum

Ty Bynum is a Sophmore wide reciever here at the University of Rhode Island. He has had a good spring and we are expecting big things from him this Fall .

Q:How long have you been playing football and how did you get started?

I been playing since I was able to play. I dont know its just something I always wanted to do.

Q:Why did you choose the position of WR?

I was always was a big fan of Dieon Sanders and he inspired me to play his positions. And i have been doing it ever since.

Q: So, How do you like Rhode Island?

Its Okay it took a while to get use to but it is definitely different from home. Back home its like more things to do and weather isn't as random. But I like the atmosphere here on campus, I like the people and just the networking that goes on here.

Q: Where his home?

Lancaster, PA a city right outside of Philadelphia.

Whats your Pre-game music?

Various artist of hip-hop especially lil wayne, Gucci Man, Drake, and Jeezy.
Drake- Congratulations and Jezzy's - Black Dreams these two songs really get me hyped.

Q: What is the mark you want to leave here at URI?

I want people to say that I was smart, atheletic, and a gentleman what more could you ask for.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Party with friends, watch sporting events on ESPN, watch movies, and listen to music.

We Play Harder

With all the practices and work that we do as a student athlete do we ever have time to do anything fun? Well my answer to that is of why of course we do lol. We work hard but we play harder.
WE definitely like to party just like any other URI kid however during the season we like to stay away from the alcohol and such. But when we are out of season some of our favorite spots to party at are down the line in Bonnet, of course Bobby G's, and Bonvue....and Prov on the weekends haha. With all the work that I chronicled I just thought I ll throw that in there just to let yall know that there are two sides to being a student athlete.

Blue and White Game

The annual spring game took place this past Saturday.My teammates and I had been looking forward to this game all spring. we said we were going all out I put on my wrist bands leg bands tape upped my ankles and finally I turned my swagg on and was ready to go. But i wasn't the only it seem like the whole team had a little something extra on that warm Saturday afternoon.
The stadium was not packed however it was definitely a good turn out at our spring game. The blue team pulled the victory in an epic overtime battle between the two teams. The game also included highlighted performances by Shawn Leonard and Chris Paul-Etienne of the blue team and also on the white team there was outstanding performances by Ryan Lawrence, me (pictured to the left) and the defense as a whole did great jobs.
At the end of the game the most improve award was given out to one offensive and defensive player. On defense Jarrod Williams earned it and on the offensive side Mike Gross received the award.
Spring ball has come to an end however our journey to become a championship team is still in progress. I feel like there are more hungry players on this Rhode Island team then there has been in a long time. This is big because when comes to football you have to put your heart into it if not you will not have the will to keep playing when your down 6. But I hope this mentality carries over into the summer. While most of us stay here on campus

Bone Marrow Drive

The URI football team held a bone marrow drive in Keaney gym where we all became registered donors. We also got 260 plus people to also come join registry which is a great turnout. Next year we hope to do it again if you didn't come this year please try to attend next year and if you did, spread the word. You could save a life.

Last Spring Practice

Well yesterday was the last and final spring practice of the 09' season. A lot of people were amped to go out just because that was the last major obligation we had as a team for the week other than the Spring Game Saturday April 25, 2009.On the flip side I'm sure most of the seniors had mixed emotions about their very last spring practice I could hear some seniors jokingly talking about their last practice saying "damn this the last spring for me, the freshmen got three more" although they made it seem like a joke most of them are realizing how close they are getting to the very last go around as a college football player. Most of the players at the college level has been playing for ten plus years so football almost becomes a way of life and to have that go away would be hard to adjust to.
On another note practice went extremely well and we all are ready for that spring game Saturday. I know i have my family coming up and a lot of friends that are going to be at the game so I'm going to try and put on a show. I hope all of you can come. If not you will definitely be missing out on a great thing. SEE YOU THERE.

Practice # 13

It was the Monday after our scrimmage and we were in full equipment. At the beginning of practice Coach Trainer exclaimed how usually after a major scrimmage like the one that took place this past Saturday the practice is always 'shitty' or not up to par. With having that said it was funny that he said that that is how most of us were feeling we did not want to practice. However when practice started it was all downhill from there practice from my perspective went well there was a lot of live work we competed in the oklahoma drill as a team, man coverage with the DBs and WRs, the linemen and RBs went to a one-on-one drill. Then we had a couple of team periods which was very productive. Afterwards we all ran 110 yarders which was definitely a surprise to us because usually just the seniors are the only ones to run all spring. After we were done with that we also were informed that next Wednesday we have the 110 test to gauge where we are at for the 110 test in the summer in which if we don't pass there are consequences. For those of you who don't know what the 110 test is ,let me explain, it is when a guys are placed in position groups and they have to run 110 yards x 18 in under their designated times which is 14 seconds for my group. And yes it is as hard as it sounds.