Rhode Island 2015 Football Season Preview
The state of Rhode Island is not known for its football, though there are plenty of football fans throughout the state. There are a handful of decent college teams to follow, but the state lacks its own personal NFL presence. This preview will give you some insight regarding what the state's leading NCAAF teams are set to deliver this year, and what type of NFL leanings football fans in RI have. If you are considering betting on the games, you can check out our homepage which explains if online sports betting is legal in Rhode Island.
Brown Bears 2015 Football
The Bears finished play in the Ivy League with a mediocre 5-5 mark, winning three of their seven conference matchups. Given that Harvard has taken control of the Ivies for the present time, it’s not likely that Brown will move up.
However, they do have some talent in the starting lineup, including a pair of players in the offensive backfield. Senior quarterback Seth Rosenbauer hasn’t seen much action during his time with the Bears, but looks to be the heir apparent to Marcus Fuller. Behind him is senior running back Andrew Coke, who led Brown in rushing in 2014 with 519 yards. That nearly doubled his amount from the 2013 campaign. On defense, the play of defensive end Chad Berry against the pass can be very effective. Berry stands at 6-2 and 250 pounds and finished with 33 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks, the latter two numbers serving as the leader among returnees.
Bryant Bulldogs 2015 Football
The Bulldogs will have a hard time improving on their 2014 season. That’s because after an 8-3 campaign not only matched the most victories in the school’s history, but also surpassed the amount since the school’s shift to Division I. However, it might just be a possibility since they enter the season as the favorite to win the NEC. The strength of the team will be on the offensive side of the ball, led by Ricardo McCray, who ran for 814 yards and caught 30 passes, while collecting 10 rushing touchdowns and four through the air.
Another skill player to watch will be wide receiver Chad Ward, who caught 46 passes and reached the end zone five times. He also had a flair for the clutch with a pair of game-winning grabs against Maine and Stony Brook. Offering protection for the offense will be linemen Abe M’Bodj and George Smith, the key returnees from a unit that helped Bryant led the conference in rushing and put up nearly 200 yards a game with their passing attack.
Rhode Island Rams 2015 Football
The Rams have nowhere to go but up after a miserable first season for head coach Jim Fleming after Rhode Island won just one of their 12 contests. That victory came in the season finale against Towson and put an end to a 15-game losing streak. Entering camp, Mack Lowrie looks to be the returning starter at quarterback after watching his 2014 season end abruptly due to a shoulder injury. That might change considering his rival for the job, James Caparell matched his performance during spring ball.
The defense needs plenty of assistance, which will hopefully be provided by the likes of linebackers Adam Parker and Khilyni Kennedy. Both had big showings in the annual spring game, though Kennedy will be making the shift from defensive end.
NFL Leanings for Rhode Island Football Fans
Being a next door neighbor of Massachusetts, Rhode Island almost exclusively throws its support behind the New England Patriots. That task has become much easier during the run of four Super Bowls under Bill Belichick than it was in the lean years that popped infrequently prior to that period. From 1976 to 2002, the Pats held their training camp at Bryant College, the longest stretch of time for any facility since the 1960 birth of the franchise. That sort of loyalty, not to mention the simple proximity of the team, helps explain why the hold here is very strong.