Midweek football notes

Naheem Harris, heralded as one of the best defensive linemen in the league, isn't a ra-ra guy, but he can still pretend he is.

He isn't a captain, but the senior nose guard knows he must pick up his defense whenever he feels the energy level gets a little down. Sometimes he doesn't feel like yelling, but hyping up his teammates is something he takes pride in.

"I like to call myself "instant enthusiasm," Harris said. "I learned something from my high school coach a long time ago and he said "false enthusiasm goes a long way." SO even if you're faking being enthused, eventually someone's going to think that you're really enthused, and that kicks up the whole team. I'm not a big "let's go" guy, but I'm going out there and having fun I guess."

Andrew Samson will start this Saturday as the team's kicker. Head coach Al Bagnoli likes his potential, he's looked good in practice and Bagnoli says that he is "cautiously optimistic" about the freshman.

Samson is one of five kickers on the roster not including starting wide receiver Braden Lepisto, who started some games last year. Samson is listed as the backup punter, but won the kicking job during training camp.

On the last play of practice on Wednesday, Bagnoli brought out the tricks. Lepisto caught a pass over the middle of the field, but before even really hanging onto the ball, pushed it towards wide receiver Dan Coleman on a hook-and-ladder play. It was well-executed, but it was against the scout team defense.

Bagnoli cited no major injuries going into the opener against the Leopards. There have been "a lot of little things, tweaks here and there, but basically everyone who we had penciled-in in the first two deep slot is going to be available," Bagnoli said.