New Kid on the Block

Less than a week before the opening game, football Head Coach Lou Marinelli added a new player with star potential to the Rams' roster. Turner Baty (pronounced BAYTY), a senior, had just transferred to New Canaan High School from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Baty, a good student, is also a good quarterback, maybe even better than good.

Scouting services say Baty, at 6'2" and 205 lbs, has a strong arm and quick feet. He has "good pocket presence" and "displays poise under pressure," the raves continue. Baty reportedly has an offer from Stanford (where his father played) and has drawn interest from Tennessee and Miami.

What high school coach wouldn't want him in the program?

But with Baty coming into New Canaan so close to the first regular season game, Coach Marinelli faced a unique situation. He had already tapped Willie Oulette, who'd come up through the New Canaan program and done everything "we thought he could" in spring and fall practice, to be the starting quarterback.

Had Baty arrived before fall practice had begun or even early on in the pre-season, it would've been a different story. The coach would have easily opened up the position, let the quarterbacks compete and then picked his man. But Baty just registered last Friday, attended a walk-through on Sunday and had his first real practice on Monday.

In making the decision, Marinelli also had to consider how his quarterback pick would affect the rest of the team. Oulette had shown leadership qualities in the off-season and the players responded.

Marinelli is still going with Oulette as his starter.

Baty moved to Connecticut to be closer to his mother, who works for ESPN, which has offices in Bristol and New York City. He landed in New Canaan because of his father Greg Baty, who played eight seasons in the NFL, including eight as a tight end for the Miami Dolphins. The older Baty got positive reviews of the school system and the football program from old friend and fellow NFL pro Terry Hanratty, who's son Conor is on the Rams' squad.

When Baty's parents asked the coach about playing time, Marinelli told them both quarterbacks would end up playing and that Turner "would have the chance to compete." He also said that Baty, even after just one practice, is "obviously gifted." He added that he can throw the short, medium and long ball and also shows touch when called for.

Marinelli says Oulette had lunch with Baty over the weekend and went over the offense with him, the new terminology and how the Rams operate. There would be no hard feelings about some kid from out of state coming in and showing the "New Canaan kids how to do things."

The Rams open the 2009 season Thursday at  Dunning Field. Game time is 6 p.m.