Post by rkozak201 on Apr 12, 2008 1:18:41 GMT -5
The return of wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio, who is recovering from a high ankle sprain, will boost the Express offense.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
The Reading Express offense has taken a couple of strides forward in the past two weeks.
Imagine how much more explosive the team could be with Carmelo Ocasio, the team’s top receiver the last two years.
Coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski and quarterback Rob Flowers may not have to imagine much longer.
Ocasio, who missed the last two regular season games and an exhibition game with a high ankle sprain, returned to practice Wednesday night. He did not make the trip to Columbus for tonight’s game.
“He feels like he’s close,” Nowotarski said. “I don’t want him rushing it, nor does he, nor does the doctor. When there’s an agreement among all of us that he feels 100 percent, that’s when we’re going to look at him. We’re not going to rush anything.”
Ocasio, who had nearly 300 receptions and 100 touchdowns during the Express’ first two seasons, has been a forgotten weapon in the Express offense.
While trying to play though the injury in the first two games, Ocasio was limited to four catches for 9 yards.
During the past three weeks, Shawn Foxworth, Jeff Willis and Tavis Laws have started at wide receiver. Terrance Hudson, a late addition out of Toledo, also has seen action.
“The four guys that we’ve been taking on a weekly basis the last three weeks have done a nice job,” Nowotarski said. “They’re catching balls, and they’re producing.”
Ocasio’s return would greatly change the dynamics of the receiving corps. Then there’s former Central Catholic star Yardon Brantley, who could return in a month after suffering a broken shoulder March 15 in Carolina. He caught 10 passes for 96 yards in the opener.
“Unfortunately it’s part of this business that on a weekly basis you’ve got to make some decisions that aren’t popular with a particular player or fans,” Nowotarski said.
•Port gone: John Port, who opened the season as the Express starting quarterback, apparently will not return.
Port and Rob Flowers were battling for the starting spot. Port left the team for personal reasons after Flowers played the last three quarters in an exhibition win over Arizona.
Flowers has started the last two games, leading the Express to wins over Erie and Huntington, both of which were previously undefeated.
•Defensive changes: The Express defense has taken on a new look with the addition of former Bloomsburg University linebacker Rob Biernat.
With Biernat joining Matt Sola at linebacker, Trent Jones has been moved back to defensive back, joining Ronnie Montgomery and Michael Baldwin, with Marcus Sargeant being used as a fourth defensive back.
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
The Reading Express offense has taken a couple of strides forward in the past two weeks.
Imagine how much more explosive the team could be with Carmelo Ocasio, the team’s top receiver the last two years.
Coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski and quarterback Rob Flowers may not have to imagine much longer.
Ocasio, who missed the last two regular season games and an exhibition game with a high ankle sprain, returned to practice Wednesday night. He did not make the trip to Columbus for tonight’s game.
“He feels like he’s close,” Nowotarski said. “I don’t want him rushing it, nor does he, nor does the doctor. When there’s an agreement among all of us that he feels 100 percent, that’s when we’re going to look at him. We’re not going to rush anything.”
Ocasio, who had nearly 300 receptions and 100 touchdowns during the Express’ first two seasons, has been a forgotten weapon in the Express offense.
While trying to play though the injury in the first two games, Ocasio was limited to four catches for 9 yards.
During the past three weeks, Shawn Foxworth, Jeff Willis and Tavis Laws have started at wide receiver. Terrance Hudson, a late addition out of Toledo, also has seen action.
“The four guys that we’ve been taking on a weekly basis the last three weeks have done a nice job,” Nowotarski said. “They’re catching balls, and they’re producing.”
Ocasio’s return would greatly change the dynamics of the receiving corps. Then there’s former Central Catholic star Yardon Brantley, who could return in a month after suffering a broken shoulder March 15 in Carolina. He caught 10 passes for 96 yards in the opener.
“Unfortunately it’s part of this business that on a weekly basis you’ve got to make some decisions that aren’t popular with a particular player or fans,” Nowotarski said.
•Port gone: John Port, who opened the season as the Express starting quarterback, apparently will not return.
Port and Rob Flowers were battling for the starting spot. Port left the team for personal reasons after Flowers played the last three quarters in an exhibition win over Arizona.
Flowers has started the last two games, leading the Express to wins over Erie and Huntington, both of which were previously undefeated.
•Defensive changes: The Express defense has taken on a new look with the addition of former Bloomsburg University linebacker Rob Biernat.
With Biernat joining Matt Sola at linebacker, Trent Jones has been moved back to defensive back, joining Ronnie Montgomery and Michael Baldwin, with Marcus Sargeant being used as a fourth defensive back.
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
