Hartford Colonials Daily Notes
August 27, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release
CARDINALS NEST: Wide receiver Patrick Carter joined the Colonials after a 2 1/2-week stint in Broncos camp. He becomes the sixth former Louisville player on the roster. The others: wide receiver Andrew Robinson and Mario Urrutia, tight ends Chris Vaughn and Ronnie Ghent, defensive tackle Adrian Grady. Colonials Quarterbacks Coach Dave Ragone also played QB for Louisville.
BIG EAST REUNION: With six players from Louisville and six from UConn, the Colonials roster has a distinct Big East flavor. Defensive back Manny Collins, linebacker Damaso Munoz and center Ryan Blaszczyk played for Rutgers.
ROSTER SUBTRACTION: Offensive tackle Kris Doura (Charleston) was released. He is the seventh cut since training camp started Aug. 16.
ZEBRAS ON THE FIELD: To simulate games, the afternoon practice featured eight officials calling infractions. The same crew will work Saturday's intra-squad scrimmage at Immaculate High School in Danbury, CT. Friday evening, United Football League VP of Officiating Larry Upson discussed five major rule changes and points of interest with players and coaches. Upson was an official in the NFL for six years.
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH....
As one of six former UConn players on the Colonials, safety Robert Vaughn is a familiar name in these parts. For the last four years, Rentschler Field was home. And now that he's back at The Rent, he'll be playing very close to his hometown. Vaughn (6-0, 200) grew up in North Attleboro, Mass. He was in camp with the Packers and Redskins. He had a tryout with the Colonials in June and recently worked out for the team.
How did your workout with the Colonials go back in June?
"I think it went good. But I think when I showed up for my workout Tuesday, I think I had a good workout Tuesday, whatever they saw they signed me off of that. I was home after the Redskins minicamp. I ran every day, worked out every day. I never gave up hope."
What other NFL Camps did you attend besides the Redskins?
"I went to rookie mini-camp with the Green Bay Packers first, and the week after that the Redskins."
How did attending those two NFL mini-camps prepare you for professional football?
"Just kind of seeing the whole transition from college football to pro football. You have to take more responsibility for yourself and have accountability. In college, if you don't crack [the roster] too deep, you're still on scholarship, you're still taking classes, you're just not playing. Here if you don't put out, you go home."
What do you think about playing again in Rentschler Field?
"The Rent is a special place. I played there four years and I have a lot of games under my belt there. A lot of great games there. I got a lot of memories there. To go back and have that as our home field, it's home."
Having five of your college teammates with the Colonials, how has that made your transition easier?
"I'm comfortable, I know a few faces. Even besides my UConn teammates, I have a lot of guys that I played against. Some guys I played with in the Texas vs. Nation All Star Game. There's a guy here [RB Tory Harrison] I was with in Green Bay as well. It's a good environment. I like it a lot, everybody is cool with each other and everyone competes every day."
PLAY OF THE DAY: Wide receiver Mario Urrutia has made some nice catches in camp. His latest was a one-handed grab along the sideline for a 25-yard reception. Urrutia was tightly covered when he reached out with his right arm and hauled in the pass.
COACH CHRIS PALMER ON DANBURY SCRIMMAGE: "We're going to have 40 live plays where we're tackling. This is going to be our preseason game. We'll have officials. We'll have some kicking involved in the game. Hopefully we'll get through with nobody being injured."
ROAD SHOW: Over the next six days starting Saturday, the Colonials will practice or scrimmage in five different towns - Middletown, Danbury, Berlin, New Haven and New Britain. The team will be on two different fields Saturday. In the morning, the team will practice 9-11 at Xavier High School in Middletown. Players will then board a bus at 2:45 in the afternoon and travel to Danbury for a scrimmage at Immaculate High School.
ALSO THIS WEEKEND: The Colonials will have a Select-A-Seat open house at Rentschler Field on Sunday from 2-6 pm. Fans can purchase tickets and choose the best available seats. Current season ticket holders have the option to move to a new location. Players and cheerleaders will be present.
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