TELEGRAM: Junior receiver David Canney lifts Greyhounds

August 21, 2008

By Brendan Hall

WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER- In his first two seasons as a collegian, David Canney has helped prove the notion that the transition from star high school running back to college wideout can be quite seamless.

Canney enjoyed one of the most decorated careers at Narragansett Regional, rushing for more than 1,900 yards and scoring 236 points as a senior in 2005. Offensive coordinator Joe Mizhir, Narragansett's coach from 2000 to 2007, considers him one of the school's best, saying, "If someone wants to say he's the best, there's not too many out there that would argue with that."

Division 1-AA schools such as the University of New Hampshire, Northeastern and Holy Cross expressed interest in him, with most projecting him as a running back or strong safety. But he landed at Division 2 Assumption College, and within days of arriving was converted to wide receiver.

This season, Canney, now a junior co-captain, will have another adjustment to make with the departure of coach Cory Bailey. His replacement, former University of Richmond linebackers coach Adam Fuller, is expected to utilize a spread attack similar to what his former boss, Dave Clawson (now the offensive coordinator at Tennessee), ran at Richmond.

"It's similar to last year, the offense, just totally different terms with how they word it," Canney said. "We're definitely going to throw more on first down, get short gains. The new offensive coordinator (Bob Muckian) and Fuller are both extremely into it."

As a wide receiver and kick returner, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Canney has already put a dent in the Assumption record book. In 2007, he was named All-Northeast-10 second team after setting single-season highs for receptions (62) and receiving yards (870). He's also the quickest Greyhound to surpass 1,000 career receiving yards and enters this season with 2,241 all-purpose yards.

"He changes the defenses that people put up against us, because they have to guard him," Muckian said.

"When he lines up in our offense, you have to figure where he's going to be at all times," running back Herbert "Pop" Woodard said. "He definitely is a playmaker."

The guys who cover him daily in practice echo similar comments.

"He's by far the best receiver I've seen, not only on our team but in our conference," linebacker Dustin Zitzman said. "He's a freak of nature. He can make every circus catch you throw out there; he can make the ones that look difficult look easy."

With a renewed dedication to his offseason training - and Fuller's new scheme - Canney appears to be on track for even bigger numbers in 2008. Look for him to possibly see some time returning punts, and take the ball off screens, reverses and pitches.

"(Fuller) just wants to try to get me the ball as much as possible in as many different situations," Canney said.

Canney, a co-captain with senior safety Chris Martino, has increased his offseason training regimen, spending upward of 20 hours a week in the weight room. This summer, he checked in with a bench press of 305 pounds and a squat of 405, setting what Fuller called "a tremendous work ethic."

"I have to be much more dedicated to the team - all out, all the time," Canney said. "I can't take a break."

So maybe it should come as no surprise that on the second day of practice, Fuller sat in on a wide receivers' meeting, and concluded that Canney can break down any position.

"Doesn't matter what position, he's got an answer," the coach said. "And it's usually the right one."

Another seamless transition, no doubt.