Mario Hines Journal
Wide Receiver - Robert Morris

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4/13/08

Hello Hello,

It has been awhile since I last checked in. This month has been the most hectic and strenuous month of the whole process. Don't get me wrong. I am making sure I enjoy every step of the way but sometimes it gets a little busy. All my time has been devoted to making sure that I'm prepared for everything the process throws at me. I just capped off the workout side of it on April 9th as I hosted my own personal workout at Robert Morris. I have to say that in hindsight, it was a great day for many reasons.

First, RMU has never held its own official pro day so a private workout was ground breaking in itself. Many of my former teammates/current players came out to watch how a workout is run first hand. There was a great support group amongst the players and I believe it laid down a new fabric at the school. It makes the goal seem more attainable with hard work and God's gift. It made me happy to see that and be able to experience it with those guys.

I also invited former RMU teammate DB Mike Nikos, who was also a 2008 all conference selection, to work out with me. He's working to continue to play ball and he has great talent so more exposure is always good. It was good to have someone there with me going through the workout. It kept me more calm and relaxed because if I showed nervousness then so he would have too and we don't want that. We both showed very well. I clocked two 4.4s and Nikos was also somewhere in the 4.4 range. The weather was kind of chilly so it was tough to get really warmed up. I pulled my hamstring pretty bad on my first run because of it. I toughed it out through position drills though. The total consensus from the scouts was that both of us showed very well in position drills. Niklos was smooth in and out of his breaks and though I couldn't jump into second gear, my routes were crisp and I was told my hands/natural catching ability was outstanding. It started to rain near the end of our position drills so we had to call it quits a little early. The drills were ran by the Philadelphia Eagles scout.

All in all, the day was productive. I'm proud of Niklos a lot and I hope some of the current players got something out of watching. The next move for me is to get my hammy 100%, start getting into camp shape, and playing the emotional/mental waiting game until draft day. Its just a few weeks away!!! I'll be waiting with a smile on my face I presume. I'll check in again soon with any new updates. Talk to you all soon. God is good!!!! :-)

-Mario  
 

3/16/08

Hello everyone,

This past weekend was a big one for me. God opened the door for me to get into the University of Michigan Pro Day. The experience was great! It had a Combine feel to it as all the NFL teams were represented with a sprinkle of head coaches on sight. I walked into it with a lot of confidence so that there would be no "wow" factor. I am proud to say that I more than held my mine. I don't have any official times because my agent could not make it but the reviews I received from the scouts were very positive. A good number of teams approached to congratulate me on my workout performance. It was a very long day for me and something I had never come close to experiencing since going to college camps. I got to the U of M campus around 8:35 a.m and did not leave until about 3 p.m. As energetic and enthusiastic as I was I still was very worn. All I know is that it was God that helped me get through the whole workout at a high level. One particular thing I am proud of is the showing I had for my receiver drills. I displayed the hands I knew I had that would separate me from most 1AA players. That, along with the great speed and quickness reviews I received, set me favorable in the eyes of those who mattered. I thank Coach Rodriguez and the University of Michigan staff for allowing me to participate in the event.

Next up for me is more feedback from the scouts after reviewing more game tape and pro day tape. With that, I expect some personal workouts to be set up so I will continuing to work hard to keep myself ready for those. Once again, the pro day was a great learning and confidence building experience. I am going to take a few days to rest up a sore hamstring I slightly pulled then get back to work. As I always say, stay tuned because there is more fun to come!

-Mario

2/19/08

Reader Question  -  Hey Mario I was just curious to know what other sports did you compete in growing up?? Also have my Philadelphia Eagles shown any interest in you?

Hey what's up Hjg9652,

Growing up I played basketball and baseball. Early on it was recreational baseball and pick up basketball. I didn't officially play football until 7th grade because my dad never wanted me to play. He played football and earned a scholarship to Western Michigan to play running back and he knew how physical the sport was. I finally convinced him to let me play and to this ay he says he only let me play because he thought I would go to one practice, get hit, and come crying home. But here I am today haha! And my agent tells me to keep the teams on the hush hush but between you and me, Philly looks good. Thanks for the questions.

Mario
 

2/14/08

Hello all,

It has been a veeeeeery long time since I checked in here at NFL draft blitz but I have good reason. First, the pre-draft process is in full swing and that leaves little time to collect thoughts and express them on the computer. Secondly, the email server that I use was down for quite sometime with a virus so even when I had a little time I could not send my entry. But everything is up and running and here I am now.

Workouts have been great! I'm adding the strength and speed necessary to make a splash for my pro day. My times have been going up each week and by the time March rolls around I'll definitely be able to open lots of eyes. Im hoping to pass the eyeball test as well, as well as a 5'11 177 pound guy can lol. I have been incorporating football drills as well. Sometimes when working out for the draft, players forget that its still about their football skills and they over look refining that part of their game. I'm making sure I don't fall into that trap.

As far as the NFL side, a good number of teams have been contacting my school and my agent about film and things. The feedback from the film has been very pleasing. I look forward to proving my worth to the scouts in person as well. My name has been floating around since the all-star game season began. My redshirt junior status prevented me from getting into the games but the feedback from the roster creators was always more than positive. Before I know it it'll be April and I'll be sweating bullets lol. Until then, I'll be taking care of business and sharing with everyone along the way. This time I wont be so far apart with my updates. Stay tuned.

-Mario

 

1/6/08

Hello Football fans,

It has definitely been quite awhile since my last update but I am happy to say that the time has been well spent. The draft process is really starting to heat up.

First off, workouts have been great. Thanks to my trainer Scott Umberger, I have put on about 6lbs of muscle o far with more to come. My speed is continuing to increase as well. I am very pleased with how that side of the process has been going.

As far as post season games go, I have been designated as an alternate to two very prestigious all star games which I cant announce at the moment. The reason I am an alternate is because after further investigation from the NFL draft committee, I have been declared a redshirt junior based on tha fact that I have one more year of eligibility. Because of this, seniors for these all star games get the nod ahead of me but if any would happen to not make I would be the first to replace them. My agent is working very hard to get me in situations where I can make an impact.

He believes all I need to do is get in front of some people and my draft stock will sky rocket so I look forward to it. More developments should be coming so I of course will keep everyone updated. As I continue to say, this is an exciting time.

- Mario
 

12/16/07

Hey Everybody,

Sorry for the long hiatus but with finals and workouts and the "process" getting going, time is limited. Now that the finals are over, I am ready to jump into getting prepared at full force. So far workouts have been going well as I am putting on some of the mass I lost because of my brief shoulder injury. Also, the agent process is great and I am definitely happy with the way it is going. I got all my final paperwork finished for draft entry so forward I march to the next step. Once everything gets rolling I will be able to provide more details but for now I have to keep it fairly broad. So stay tuned and be here with me as it unfolds. Fun times!! God Bless.

Mario

11/28/07

Hey hey,

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I'm just reporting in to let the readers know that I am still breathing. Things are getting kind of hectic so the Thanksgiving holiday was perfect. I had a great time reuniting with family and eating some good home-cooking. There are still many things going on and lots of steps that are soon to be made but it was nice to escape those things for a little. The upcoming months will be very exciting and I look forward to experiencing them and sharing my experiences with the readers. Once a couple more things get finalized, I will be back with more updates. I hope everyone had a fun and blessed Thanksgiving!

Mario

11/17/07

Greetings everyone,

The book is officially closed on my college career and I must say it is a funny feeling. Let me rephrase, it is not totally closed and I'll have more information behind that statement later. The final game we played against Sacred Heart was a special one. You would have a hard time arguing with anyone in the locker room or anyone in attendance that the atmosphere was pure excitement. It showed on the field as EVERYONE on the team played with a great passion. We were all loose and determined to have fun. Key players stepped up and it turned out to be a great showing for the offense and defense. We won the game 41-31. A great way to go out!

On a personal note, I had a little under 200 all purpose yards and a touchdown. I felt so ready for that game and I definitely felt on a different level than the competition. That's one thing that really got me excited about the game. I could almost do what I wanted at any given time. With more work ahead, I look forward to playing at the next level wherever it may be. God blessed me throughout the entire season and it showed on the field. The next steps for me are all-star games, the agent process, putting my film together, and working myself to death to become ready for what is ahead. I welcome the challenge.

Lastly, I want to give a shout out to all my senior teammates, former underclassmen teammates, coaching staff, and anyone who had anything to do with Robert Morris football. I enjoyed my time and I will never forget it. Its always bittersweet to move on with the next phase of life. Thanks to all who supported me throughout my RMU career. The support did not go unappreciated!

Now the off-season/draft process starts. I will log in and keep all the readers updated. This should be a fun and interesting time. Talk to you all soon.

- Mario

11/9/07

Hello football fans,

Well we are coming upon my last week of college football and it is very weird. I do not know how to completely approach it. All of the seniors are disappointed in how the season turned out but we have all stuck together. I can see it in my senior teammates that we are proud to be playing this last game with each other. We play Sacred Heart this week .Its a game that must be won for self moral. We all believe in ourselves but we want to have something tangible to hold on to. I think we will be ready.

Last week's game against Albany was aired on TV and it was my first game back from my shoulder injury. The staff took it a bit slow with me and I wasn't allowed to return kicks in the first half. My very first catch I fell on the shoulder and although it did hurt, it helped reassure me that I could play through it. I felt good enough that by halftime, the coaches and trainers made the decision that I was good enough to at least return kickoffs in the second half. That helped a lot and it made me feel like I was back in the groove. I provided a little spark but Albany's physical play was too much to overcome in the end.

I finished with 120 all purpose yards. That's a decent game for me but I am slightly pleased with that based on the situation. I would have liked to come out with a win but the cards don't go that way sometimes.

This upcoming week is big and I will definitely have a lot to say afterwards. Talk to you all soon.

- Mario

11/1/07

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the long delay in updating the journal but I have been rehabbing very hard to get my shoulder back where it needs to be. Its coming along well. So well, in fact, that I have been cleared to play in this Saturday's game against Albany. This is big because we as a team need a spark after falling 4 straight. Although I wont be returning any kicks for this game (that's the diagnosis for now but who knows what will happen), I still feel I can bring some veteran leadership and big play ability which lead to some excitement and get us as a team back on the right track. Our goal for these final two games is to finish strong. The feeling in the locker room is somewhat odd because we are disappointed but we are not finished. All the older guys want to how the younger guys how to finish strong.

As for my shoulder, it feels tight and practice has been loosening it up really well. Like with most football players, coming off an injury is mainly how big of a pain threshold you have. I have a high one and I am ready to go.

I'll be back later in the week to describe the game and the feeling of the team. I'M BAAAAAAACK!!!

- Mario
 

10/20/07

Hey everyone,

The verdict is in and the training staff wont clear me to play. I cant say I am anything short of upset. I always want to get out there and help my team win and gain memorable experiences with those guys. I would not put myself out there if I didn't think I could contribute in the same way I have all season but the training staff disagrees so I will be missing my last rivalry game against Duquesne. I'll be on the sideline to support my teammates and stress the importance of getting a win. Freshman WR Michael Blanchard is getting his first game with significant playing time and I want to help him adjust as we are similar in styles. I look forward to see what he can do in an official game. I'll be back later with the results of the game

- Mario
 

10/18/07

Hey everyone,

I have been a little slow with this week's update and there is a good reason. In last week's game against Central Connecticut, I sprained some ligaments in my shoulder after being tackled on a 52 yard punt return. It was my third play of the game! The irony is out of control. I have been rehabbing heavy so that I can get myself ready for this Saturday against our cross-town rivals, the Duquesne Dukes.

It is a very important game because they also have a pro prospect at receiver, Bruce Hocker, and he is a friend of mine. This game will be filled with the excitement of the rivalry, of pro scouts, and of bragging rights between Bruce and I. I will return with an update on my playing status although in my mind there is nothing that will stop me from playing in this game. I shall return with an update in a day or so.

- Mario
 

10/10/07

Hey hey,

I'm checking in again after another tough loss. We fought hard against Wagner but mental mistakes were too much to overcome once again. We scored a quick 10 points early in the game and momentum was on our side but a kickoff return for a touchdown stole that momentum right back. We ended up losing the game 20-13. It is especially tough for our seniors because we hate to lose to Wagner. Not to mention that it was homecoming for us. They check Robert Morris on the schedule and set their sights for that date. They came into our stadium exactly like we thought they would, a lot of smack-talk and tons of aggression. We let one slip away. The frustrating thing is that we have the potential to be a great team but potential can only take you so far without consistent execution. At some point we have to believe in ourselves and what we have on this team. Something has to click for us soon because the conference schedule is not an easy one.

Personally, I had a very solid game. I took advantage of the opportunities when they came and made some big plays including our only touchdown. I try to give not only our offense a spark but the whole team. Special teams was solid for me again and I had a chance to make some guys miss on punt returns. Kickoff returns were a little rougher as they did not give me any clean kicks. I believe I had about 120 all purpose yards. My QB and I are coming along better mentally but still physically we are not on the same page. It refreshing to see improvement but more work must be done so that our offense can be as balanced yet as explosive as possible. Another youtube clip of one of my catch and runs will be posted shortly so again stay tuned and to any readers feel free to relay feedback on what you think. With Cal's bye week, DeSean and I are neck and neck.

I spoke about the individual match-up Wagner presented with CB Al Philips. Pre-game was definitely exciting as we were harmlessly jawing back and forth. You could see the mutual respect we had for each other and it showed on the field. We both played hard and competitive but we kept it clean. At the beginning of the game he shadowed me and that was a pleasant surprise in itself. I got an early pass interference call against him which gave me confidence right off the bat. My touchdown came off of a play action in which they were in zone so I cant say I beat him on it but it was close. Al is a great athlete and is most definitely a pro prospect and I expect to see him on Sundays without a doubt. That kickoff return for a touchdown I was talking about, it was Al Philips on the return lol. It was a great match up and I would have to say that we both lived up to our billing.

This week we play Central Connecticut State at their place. That's a nice ways away for us so we must get focused ASAP. Every game is a big one as we are reaching for a conference championship. They are a good team and I look forward to bringing my A game. I will check in next week with the results.

- Mario

10/6/07

*Reader Question*

10/2/07

Hello Football Fans,

I am checking in this week after a tough loss. We played Virginia Military Institute and we definitely went into this game looking to make a statement. They are a 64 scholarship program and we are a 32 scholarship program. It was clear in the locker room and on the practice field how much we wanted to prove that we belonged in the playoff discussion. We fought hard but mistakes and lack of execution when opportunities were there really set us back. We lost the game 40-13. That sounds bad but the game did not play out that way. The defense eventually was wore down from the constant running attack of VMI. They passed the ball about six times total. The one thing as team we can learn from this is the difference between being focused and being flat. It seems as if we were so concerned with proving a point that we lost the passion to play for fun and have an aura of excellence that we carried before. One positive on the offensive side of the ball was the vast improvement of the offensive line. We ran the ball with toughness and aggression and they gave our quarterback lots of time for most of the game. So that's something to build upon.

I personally had the worst game this season. I had 2 caught for 18 yards. My quarterback and I could not get on the same page. The timing was definitely off and it showed on the field. More work between us has to be done during the week to assure that never happens again. I had a pretty good special teams day though which is something I take great pride in. I was pressing to make a play at times and it threw things out of whack for me. All I can do is bounce back and be the player that I am. Next week will be much better. I will be way more relaxed. Desean Jackson got me this week but I am still on his back! lol

My little brother from another, freshman RB Myles Russ, broke 100 yards rushing for the first time in his career on Saturday. I am so proud of him. He is continuing to work hard and he is not satisfied with what he has accomplished thus far. Of course, I wouldn't let him be.

Next week is homecoming week for us against Wagner. It is a conference game and it is a big one. The homecoming festivities will be a distraction for us but champions overcome those type of things. We need to have a great showing in front of our home crowd to make up for the last one. I am also excited for the match up this game presents. Probably the best corner in our conference, besides our own mike niklos, is Al Philips. We have been battling since our freshman seasons in 2004. It'll be great to go against him and see where we both measure up. Big week this week and I will be back to give all the details. Time to bounce back!

P.S. the punt return that is competing with Desean's that I had against St. Francis is now on youtube so feel free to check it out and please give me feedback, whatever it may be.

Thanx

- Mario

9/24/07

Hello football fans,

This one will be kind of short this week. I have a lot of homework to get to as bad as that sounds. This weekend's game against Morehead state was one of the craziest games I have ever played in. No check that. It IS the craziest game I have ever played in. The weirdest turnovers left and right. A missed field goal. Two blocked punts. A safety. Lots of unorthodox things all wrapped up in one game. The final score ended up being 9-8. More like an Atlanta Braves/New York Mets score. Once again, we as a team showed our never die attitude and pulled out a victory with 27 seconds to go. I like our team determination but now it is time to put together a complete game as a team.

Personally, I had 4 catches for 75 yards. They refused to kick to me and I am guessing I am going to have to get used to that for a couple more games. I'm staying focused though because you never know when a team will make that mistake. Eyes on the prize! We are now 3-1 on the season and the next chapter is against Virginia Military Institute at home. They practically invented the blitz so it should be a fun one for the offense. I'll check in next week with the results and other thoughts and feelings. Wish me luck with this homework!

- Mario
 

9/19/07

*Reader Question*

Hello RMU Fan,

Jeff Link is an outstanding worker. I am very impressed with his cool demeanor and it has helped him to get into the fullback rotation as a freshman. He scored his first touchdown last week at Monmouth and it was well deserved. He has a lot of potential and could be as productive as our former fullback Vince Magnone who played well for us the last 3 seasons. Thank you for the question.

- Mario
 

9/17/07

Hello football fans,

First things first, welcome back Coach Walton! He was back on our sideline this week and practice and on Saturday and it felt good. We are almost all he has now and the family aspect is being stressed now more than ever. We are really becoming a tight-knit group. Coach Walton says every year a team can only reach its full potential if it has a good locker-room and we are on the verge of realizing that potential.

We played St. Francis (PA) on Saturday and it was a statement game for us. After beating Monmouth last week on a last minute field goal and emotion, we had to prove that we were not a fluke for knocking off the defending conference champs. "No let downs" was the phrase throughout the week of practice. It hung over our heads and we executed like we wanted to. RMU 28/St. Francis 14. It felt good because we are now 2-0 in the conference and we are moving ahead with a head of steam and confidence.

Freshman running back Myles Russ had another great game adding 82 yards and two touchdowns, his first two of his career. I'm very very proud of Myles. He is a humble, soft-spoken kid from Boca Raton, Florida. His demeanor is very endearing and I have chosen to take him under my wing so that all he sees is success. We have a big brother/little brother relationship. As a matter of fact, that's all he calls me, "big brother". Having him on the team is a pleasure and he is a future 1AA star without a doubt in my mind.

On a personal note, Saturday was another good performance for me. I feel like I am getting better every week and my play is rising to a level I could have never imagined. The key to continuing this progress is to never be satisfied and I am not by any means. There's always room for improvement and my goal is to find it every chance that I get. I finished with 174 all purpose yards and a receiving TD. My return game is also elevating to a new level. I had a punt return yesterday that Devin Hester would have been proud of. I hope to get it on Youtube so that the fans can see it lol. I have to do my Desean Jackson check but I think that return puts us equal for now.

Lastly, I want to give a quick shout out to all my teammates. I am so proud of how far they have come and I would not rather be pursuing this championship with any other guys! Another shout out to my fellow receivers, Alvin Hill and Julian Ellison, hardest working trio in FCS(1AA). And to my equipment manager Ray Butter for keeping me up to date on all the football fashion techniques lol. I'll check in with you again next week. We travel to Kentucky to play Morehead State. Time to get focused!

- Mario

 

9/10/07

Hello Everyone,

I want to start off this journal by giving my condolences, prayers, and blessings to the Walton family. Coach Walton's wife Ginger passed away earlier this week and it was a tough week for them. So please to any readers, send a prayer to the Walton family. This has been a very emotional week for everyone affiliated with the football program. Coach Walton did not attend practice this week and this marked the first time of any such occurrence. I must admit, it was strange. A lot of the veteran players had to carry the emotional load and have their leadership shine the brightest all during the week of practice. Once we got the news that Coach Walton would not be traveling to New Jersey with us to play Monmouth, we instantaneously became a stronger, tighter family. The task at hand for Saturday was made clear for all the players and the coaching staff. We united and went down to New Jersey to take care of business and do it for Coach Walton.

The game started rough for us and I could tell a lot of us were out of sync being that what we were used to was not there. We were down 14-0 early. But Coach Banasak made it a point to remind us our task and what we were there for. He reminded us that the only way we were going to win was to stick together and rally as a family. We did just that. Banasak's speech was one of the most inspirational half-time speeches I had ever heard and I could look into my teammates eyes and see that it touched them as well. With a few big plays from the receivers and the constant good running from freshman Myles Russ, who had his coming out party with 86 yards rushing, we were able to over-come the deficit and come out with a 20-17 victory. That win was definitely for Coach Walton!

On a personal note, this game means a lot to me and I'm sure my other senior teammates because this is our first time beating Monmouth. After the game, it felt surreal. Physically, I feel as though I am on another level. I finished with 180 all purpose yards. I like to compete with Desean Jackson every week to see who can make the bigger, more exciting play. He is up one because we both were electrifying in week one and two but I didn't score this week and he did! lol. We'll see what happens this next week. I am playing the way I envisioned playing all summer. All the hard work is paying off. I really feel like my game is rising with each snap. Next up is St. Francis and its at home. I'll fill you in soon.

One last thought, R.I.P. Ginger Walton. You will forever be loved and missed!

Thank you
 

9/3/07

Hello football fans,

The first week of college football capped off this weekend and as a whole it was a great feeling knowing everyone was back in the swing of things. We didn't fair so well in our first outing but there were definitely bright spots and correctable mistakes. On Saturday, we played Dayton which was a good match-up for us coming out the gate. During pre-game in the locker room, I felt as if I was mentally on another level. I was never more focused in my entire football career. I could see the same intensity out of some of my other teammates. I was especially please to see that focus from our quarterback Erik Cwalinski. The game started off good for us as we were going tic for tack with them but inexperience and injuries took over and that ended up being the deciding factor in our loss (23-12).

Personally, I was prepared to have the game of my life. I took the 2nd kickoff 53 yards to the 40 yard line but we ended up turning the ball over on a fumble the very next play. The next series, I took a slant 62 yards for a score and we were bout to be tied at 7 but we missed the extra point. Then it went all downhill for me. My body was cramping up severely. I missed the whole third quarter and most of the fourth trying to get hydrated again. I finished with 85 yards on 3 catches and 189 all purpose yards in one half of work! I was ready to set records. My body didn't agree with me though. It is my own fault because the day before the game I drank a whole case of protein drinks to make sure my weight was where it needed to be. All that protein sucks up the water in your body and I didn't replenish fast enough. I learned my lesson. I put the game on my shoulders because if I am in there the whole game, Robert Morris does not lose that game. That is just the confidence I have in myself and the trust I have in my teammates that when someone rises to the occasion, they will as well. I will be just s focused next week when we play Monmouth university. Its a conference game so it is a must have.  They lost this week and they will be ready to avenge that just as quickly as we are.

The inexperience at kicker, running back, and some spots in the offensiveline were key but the effort was there. This week of practice should do the some good now that they have a game under their belt and the butterflies are out. After the game, Coach Walton emphasized how we can not be satisfied with where we are as a team yet how much potential is on the team. I agree with him 100% and I will do my job as a team leader to raise our level of play. Next week I will be reviewing the week of school and practice as well as the Monmouth game which is away. That creates a totally different atmosphere. Stay tuned.

- Mario
 

8/28/07

As of today, 8/25/07, camp is officially over!! This is cause for a sigh of relief and a feeling of excitement. The beating and bruising of camp is done and now it is time to look towards the schedule to face the challenges that lie ahead from week to week. We concluded camp today with our final Blue/White scrimmage. It felt great to get back out and participate. There is a difference between being a vocal leader from the sideline and actually being in the huddle. I got to look all my teammates in the eyes and give them that "time to get it" look. The offense faired much better than last scrimmage although the defense still looked good. I finishes with 3 catches for 70 yards in the scrimmage. There was a lot of promise and potential fulfilled this time around. Little things like my quarterback and I both realizing a coverage and breaking off routes in sequence to get completions are the things you look for in the second scrimmage and we made it happen. He and I are building a great chemistry on and off the field.

My teammates and I are also excited about the addition of our freshman running back Myles Russ. He comes from Florida and ran for about 1700 yards in 4A which is the highest level. He was a great recruiting grab for us and he looks to add to the explosiveness of our offense.

Off the field, the end of this scrimmage marks the re-opening of friendships between the offense and defense lol. We can all be friends now! Most of the veterans usually get together and have fun. We get football off of our mind and enjoy the fact that we all successfully went through the toughest time of the year together. I am sure we will all get together later tonight. I cant wait! Like I said in my last update, residents students have taken their claim of the campus once again and it really feels like football season now. As players, we get excited to see new faces around to liven up the campus. We call it "The Draft". Its the time we use to introduce ourselves to any new students to get their support for Saturdays. So far its working.

Well ladies and gentleman, come Monday, the season will have officially started as well as school. The next time I will be reporting it'll be previewing our first game and recapping our week of practice. Thank you and stay tuned.

Mario
 

8/22/07

Hey I'm back,

I'm happy to say that my mouth is back and fully intact. I'm am 100% go in all drills. It feels good to be back. Last Saturday was our first intrasquad scrimmage and it went fairly well. We start off with 7 on 7 passing drills which I was able to participate in. It was a warm welcome back and it seemed as though my teammates were uplifted to see me out there running again. A big thing that all the players noticed and loved was the attendance in the stands. We have a saying amongst the players here..."the more the merrier" and that was definitely the case with the scrimmage. It was surprising because its usually the second big scrimmage that brings the viewers. I guess this journal is bringing more fans out (thank you NFL Draft Blitz!). Both sides of the ball showed well and it was very productive.

As of now, we are in our last week of camp and its hump week. This is around the time the locker-room gets super anxious for the season to start which makes the last week feel like forever. On top of all that, the weather is supposed to be pretty depressing for the whole week with rain, rain, and more rain. Regardless, it is time for the leaders to show up and be counted on to keep motivation high. It is something you can feel in the huddle, locker-room, in meetings, etc. I personally am making a conscious effort to lead not only by example but through motivational words. Before we know it we will be suiting up to play our first game on September 1st. Writing this makes me think back to what Coach Walton said to us in our final night meetings tonight. He read to us his favorite poem "This Game Football". Now he reads this every year but this year it felt different. I believe the whole room was on the same page and is ready to make that jump to fulfilling our potential. Only time will tell. As long as we stay focused on the field and not let the weather bother us, we will do just fine. Next time I check in school will be in session and that brings upon a whole other bag of chips. Talk to you all later!

- Mario
 

8/17/07

Hello readers,

I just wanted to give an update on the condition of my injury. As I explained in the last journal, I lost four of my teeth in a freak accident in practice on Saturday and the dentists were able to put two back in. Well, yesterday I met with the team dentist to discuss the options. The first step was for me to get a root canal on the two teeth that were put back in. That happened yesterday. Ouch!! On Thursday, I will have those two remaining teeth sawed down to the level of my gums and I'll be ready to play ball. I will spend the season with a set of temporary bottom for teeth that I will remove during games. This sounds gruesome and complicated but these are the things athletes go through just to play the game we love. I will have my permanents put in after the season when I have some time to heal before draft and combine preparations. The experience with the team dentist was very "exciting" for lack of a better word. Robert Morris' team dentist is a former Pitt offensive tackle. He was drafted in 1970 in the 8th round!! Lucky for me, he chose the path of dentistry. We were able to talk about the pros and cons of football and he was very helpful in the whole decision making process because he still thinks like a football player at times. He called up some of his dentist friends and I spent have the day on a dentist carousel to get everything set up for my return. I felt like I was in the league already lol. It was a great experience. So I will be back on the field either Saturday or Monday. I cant wait!!

Speaking of the field, as I was having my fun discussing teeth, my teammates were steadily working hard in camp. As I am looking from the "outside", I notice that our team defense is all about one thing...SPEED! It is hard to believe that our defense could improve upon its number one overall ranking in 1AA but there looks to be a chance. They are faster across the board and it is a pleasure to see. Big hits have been common place ever since we put full pads on and all I can say is I'm glad they are on my side! The only thing that could stop the defensive improvement over last year is the chemistry. If they can play as one unit then the sky is the limit. The offense is working very hard to get timing down so that once game one rolls around we can put a lot of points on the board. It looks to be coming along well and I am anxious to get back so I can bring some electricity and excitement in the building.

Lastly, I'm very impressed by how well the locker-room is starting to gel as a family. This is very important in the success of our season. The younger guys are feeling comfortable around the older guys and it helps them on the field. Team jokester are starting to show up (one of them being me) and that's always a good sign. The team unity is building which is only going to take us no place but up. I got to run though. LUNCH TIME!! I'll be back to let you all know how the last stage in my recovery goes and more updates on practice. Stay tuned.

Mario
 

8/14/07

Hey there,

This is a quick update that I wanted to share with everyone. Yesterday's practice was going pretty well until a freak accident involving myself occurred. On a 1 on 1 drill, I was running a route against one of our starting cornerbacks. The ball kind of soured on the quarterback and I tried diving for it. The cornerback dove as well and landed on my head. My jaw somehow hit the turf hard and as a result four of my bottom teeth were knocked out. I was rushed to emergency and the dentists were able to put two back in. The next step is to figure out whether I need to replace just the two or if the old two don't make it and I need all four replacements. I will be sitting out for a week or so. This will give me time to observe camp at a different angle and hopefully give a more in-depth analysis of RMU training camp. I am going to be fine but I thought an update was in order. I'll be reporting back in a day or two with more camp information and more on my "injury".

Mario

8/11/07

Hello Everyone,

After today's events, it is officially that time! Today was the fist day of real practice, meetings, drills, etc. It felt really good to get back out there and work hard. It also was a great feeling to be around all my teammates again. Of course we all welcomed in the freshman class, which to me, looks very very good. I am extremely pleased with the talent that was brought in.

The intensity in practice was fairly high all day and a lot of the veterans looked sharp considering it was the first day. The only thing that got to us a little bit was the heat. It was an unusually hot/humid day in Pittsburgh and we suffered for it. In the long run, it'll definitely help us but it was grueling. With the first day down, I look forward to seeing the offense and defense compete so that we can gel as a team. It is most certainly an exciting time. I'll be reporting back with more information on how training camp is going soon. Stay tuned!

Mario
 

8/2/07

*Reader Question* - "Mario, What is your outlook on the upcoming season? Also, if you could be drafted by any team who would be and why?

PS Go Steelers!"

Hello,

My outlook on this upcoming season is a very positive one. Over the course of this summer I have seen some of our core members work very hard to make sure that this season is a successful one. I believe in the work we have all put in this summer and i trust that we will all gel as one unit. Something that I will try and make clear from day one in camp is that failure to give all you have is not acceptable. Myself and other leaders on the team will carry that throughout the locker room all year. That mentality puts all the football things under control and makes for better execution which in turn equals success.

As far as what team I would like to get drafted by most is a toss up. I'm sorry Steeler fans but as of right now this instance, I am very interested in playing for the Cleveland Browns. They seem to have an up and coming coaching staff. They have increased their young talent pool. And lastly, there are a few familiar faces in the organization that I would love to further my career alongside.

Thanks for the question,
- Mario
 

7/30/07

Hello everyone,

This week concluded the off-season workouts for us. I must say that it has been a good summer for my teammates and I. We all have worked very hard and I expect a lot of success this year. My next move is to visit home (Detroit, MI) for the weekend and enjoy my family before I come back for camp. August 7th cannot come any sooner. I'm very anxious and when I walk through our stadium and complex, I can feel the anticipation in the air. Training camp is where hard-working individuals become a hard-working team. I look forward to leading the charge in that regard.

The updates will be coming somewhat more frequently because training camp offers good insight and I definitely would like to share the  experience. So the next time I sign in, I'll be reporting from training camp. Stay tuned.

- Mario 
 

7/24//07

*Reader Question* - "It seems to me that the offense should be potent this year provided that the offensive line is strong and effective. Are you optimistic about the potential of the offensive line this year?

What's up Colonial Bob,

I am very excited about the potential that the offensive line has this upcoming season especially because of the work I am seeing some of the starters putting in during the off season. If you take that and add experience, specifically a winning experience like we had last year, and it looks very bright for a big leap in offensive line play. That leap by he offensive line creates so much more potential in every other part of the offense. If that doesn't get everyone excited I don't know what will!

Thanks for the question!
- Mario
 

7/21/07

*Reader Question* - "Who is the best corner you have faced and who do  you look forward to going up against this year?"

That's a good question. It has a lot of answers so I will break it down. In my entire football career, the best cornerback I have faced is Ted Ginn Jr at University of Toledo's football camp my junior year in high school. We had some pretty good battles going back and forth. As far as the NEC, its a three way tie between my teammates Toheeb Akinola and Mike Niklos and Wagner's Al Phillips. Its always good to go against these guys because they are all great athletes and bring a different type of style to the table. I look forward to going against Al Phillips again this year. One person that I look forward to going against that is not on the defensive side of the ball is Duquesne WR Bruce Hocker. That game should be a back and forth match of who can put it in the endzone more so it should be fun. Lastly, I look forward to redeeming myself from the hit against Albany (NY). That's a little personal vendetta lol. Wow now I'm a little excited. Great question!
 

7/12/07

Hello Hello,

I must admit I am feeling pretty good after last week. Our strength coach gave us the week off because of the 4th of July week and it was very much needed. I tried to keep my mind off of football for the week and just relax but that always going to be a tough thing to accomplish. In some way or another, I'm ALWAYS thinking about ball. Physically, It definitely helped. My friends (former RMU football players) and I grilled some food and chilled out on the 4th. It was good times.

The thing that creeps into the back of my mind every 4th of July is the fact that it marks the conclusion of the "free" time of the summer. In only a couple weeks, training camp will be here and 70 or so players will be gearing up to become the best players, and most importantly team, we/they can be. Now that this week is over, I kind of want to get back in the groove of the weight room and running around on the field again. I can only go so long without doing something like that. Slowly but surely I'm getting pumped for the upcoming season. Preparation is everything!!! I'll be back to report how the last couple weeks of workouts go before the 2007 RMU Colonials get back together.

Thanks for listening,
Mario
 

7/9/07

*Reader Question* - "Mario, who do you think is the best coach on the RMU Football Staff. Anyone beside your receivers coach."

- RMU Fan
 

Hmmm thats a good question...of course I would say my receivers coach Bob Morris but other than him, it is a toss up between special teams coach John Banasak and our feisty, young defensive backs coach Scott Benzel.  They are both thorough and intense.  They bring out the most in whatever player they are coaching.

Thank you RMU fan,
Mario

7/2/07

I figured I would try my first entry this weekend. The past couple of weeks have been pretty strenuous. We have been maxing out in the weight room with our strength coach and it has been helping improve strength and speed a lot but right now it is taking a toll on my body. I can definitely see an improvement though and it is encouraging. We have been having some 7 on 7 and 1 on 1 passing sessions about twice a week and they are really helping.

I'm looking at everything with a different mindset. I attack with the goal to be a professional in the college ranks. Everything from my stance, routes, placement when catching the ball, and separation are being scrutinized and fine tuned. I am trying not to have any flaws in my game coming into the season.

So far I feel really good on the field. Outside of the football stuff, night classes on Mondays and Wednesdays aren't as hard as I thought they would be so I expect good things out of those. Other than that, I chill in my apartment with former teammates trying to stay relaxed. Camp will be here in no time so I figure the next few weeks will be even more interesting.

Thanks,
Mario Hines