University of Albany Quarterback Vinny Esposito's Development Rooted in Spring Practice - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Vinny Esposito’s progression as the University at Albany quarterback has been aided by solid self-analysis and his relationships with his teammates and coaches. Esposito’s maturation has its roots in spring practice and has been a critical factor for an offense that has helped capture back-to-back Northeast Conference titles.

“We didn’t know fundamentally if he could play,” said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan McCarthy, about a fifth-year senior who was down on the depth chart in the spring of 2007. “He became very efficient (that spring) and was consistent all the way through. He made plays with his feet.”

A first-team all-state standout as a high school player in New Jersey, Esposito is also quick to point out that he didn’t have the right perspective at first. “It was a difficult situation (being buried on the depth chart). I was fourth or fifth and it could have gone either way. But I realized the effort that was needed. I could have walked away, but now we are in a position to win three straight conference championships.”

Esposito got himself into the right frame of mind after the 2006 season. He continued to work in the film room, but also improved his release and reduced his stride. “He’s proved he can throw the ball and has kept us in games with that ability, especially when teams load up the box (to defense the run),” McCarthy offers.

The quarterback’s development has already made him one of the top players at his position in the program’s history. He passed for 1,934 yards and 13 touchdowns and increased his completion rate to over 60 percent as a junior. Good enough to keep defenses, geared up to stop All-America tailback David McCarty, honest.

“I felt early on last year that I knew what the defense was going to do (against us),” Esposito explained. “My role has changed where I have been asked to make some plays and manage the game. We want the offense to be completely balanced.”

Esposito had teammates that he learned from and now it is his turn to help the younger quarterbacks. “That’s why this is a program,” he said. “The freshmen help the sophomores and the juniors help the sophomores. There is no divide between the classes.”

And now the once fifth-stringer has become a leader that the other players rally around. “The other quarterbacks respect him,” says McCarthy, whose offense averaged more than 26 points and 363 total yards in 2008. “He doesn’t get rattled and plays each play separate from the last.”

Esposito, who always knew he could be productive, is an extension of his coach on the field and the comfort level is evident. “Our relationship has matured,” McCarthy states. “I respect that he changed his approach.”

Football Notes: UAlbany will practice in full gear for the first time on Friday, March 27, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. ... the Great Danes will do some scrimmage work in the second half of Saturday’s session, scheduled from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at University Field ... Spring practice ends on Saturday, April 18 ...