Knees Up

It was the first practice with full pads today and it's starting to feel like football season is right around the corner.

We finally have word on Chip Bowden. Sal caught up with Bowden on Media day.

But Bowden has answered the bell. He isn’t showing any effects from the surgery. Bowden showed nice zip and touch completing a pass to George Jordan just over cornerback Josh Jackson at practice Wednesday.

“I feel really good,” said Bowden, who played in seven games at Trent Steelman’s backup last season. I did a lot of things in the offseason rehabilitation wise to make sure I was ready for the start of camp and I think that’s showing now.”

The Senior is fit enough to be Trent Steelman's backup after offseason knee surgery, but likely will not take part in kick coverage this year.

Regarding the team's surgically repaired knee, Steve Anderson passes the 'look test' as he talks to Sal in a taped interview: Video courtesy of the Times Herald Record.




It's great to see the players so enthusiastic about the season. At the risk of wishing away the rest of the summer dare I say: I can't wait for football to start,


The departure of Jameson Carter hasn't gotten much press, but filling the role at slot is now a priority: enter Brian Cobbs.

Cobbs, an Army sophomore, was moved from cornerback to slotback in the spring. He's picking senior Pat Mealy's brain for as much knowledge as possible. Cobbs wants to be perfect.

He looked like a natural snaring balls Monday at Army's first preseason practice.

The loss of a few players can be expected in the first couple of years of a head coach tenure. I think Army has done exceptionally well finding roles for guys. Whether it was Chip Bowden on kick coverage last year or moving guys like Chad Reed up in the order, Ellerson has kept a lot of guys involved with the football team.

I would have liked to see a couple more guys like A.J. McGovern come in and learn from the seniors, but I wouldn't expect any of the freshmen linemen to compete for downs this early. For a lot of this year's first teamers... patience with the program was a virtue. I expect it to be the same with these younger guys as the team moves forward.