ORONO – Bobby Wilder’s philosophy as the offensive coordinator of the University of Maine football team is to put his best 11 players on the field.

That helps explain why the Black Bears plan to utilize two quarterbacks, Ron Whitcomb and Chris Legree, this season.

Actually, make that three.

Anthony Cotrone, who came into training camp as UMaine’s No. 3 quarterback, has added another position to his repertoire.

Cotrone has spent the past few weeks playing H-back, which combines the duties of a fullback and tight end. And the results have been impressive.

Cotrone is expected to see playing time at that spot this season, joining Dzigbodi Ababio and fullbacks Ken Henry and Wellington Talkpa.

UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove compared Cotrone to the versatile Jim Jensen, a former Miami Dolphins standout who played several positions.

“It was kind of a blend of his overall athletic ability smacking us in the face and saying this kid can do more than be a third-string quarterback,” Cosgrove said. “We had integrated him into the special teams and saw him run and do some things there that translated into a need for us to get more out of him than just a third-string quarterback.”

At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Cotrone doesn’t look like a typical quarterback. However, he possesses a good mix of speed and power, along with an intimate knowledge of the UMaine offense after working at QB.

Controne is still considered a part of the quarterback picture, although junior Whitcomb and senior situational QB Legree will handle most of those duties this season. Freshman Michael Brusko has been taking the third-team reps.

Last season, Cotrone served as the holder on PAT kicks and field goals. He’s handling those responsibilities again.

“He’s excited,” said Wilder, who challenged offensive players earlier this year by telling them, “no matter what your position is, if you deserve to be on the field, worked hard during the summer, we’ll find a role for you.'”

Cotrone is a prime example.

Maine opens this Saturday at Nebraska.

Radulski named draft ‘sleeper’

Josh Radulski, a senior at UMaine, has been named the small-school “sleeper” tight end for the 2006 National Football League draft by Consensus Draft Services.

Radulski, a 6-41/2, 253-pounder from Newark, Del., caught 29 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns as a junior for the Bears last season.

Steve Martin, who writes for Consensus Draft Services’ Web site, www.condraft.com, writes of Radulski, “I fully expect him to be in someone’s camp as an [undrafted free agent] and, perhaps, if everything breaks just right and he gets a combine invitation, he could even wind up as somebody’s seventh-round flyer in the 2006 NFL draft.”

Condraft.com said Radulski has “NFL-like size but marginal speed” and must work on “his strength and technique if he is to develop into an NFL-caliber blocker.”

Radulski had a breakout season at UMaine last fall, earning All-Atlantic 10 second-team honors. He hopes to increase his production this season while helping boost the Bears’ running game with his blocking skills.

Condraft.com is a comprehensive site that features a wealth of information about potential NFL draft picks including biographies, mock drafts, interviews, on-line chat and more.

Martin earns NECBL honor

Troy Martin, one of the top pitchers for the University of Maine last spring, continued his success this summer.

Martin, who pitched for the Keene (N.H.) Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, was named the league’s top pitcher and also was recognized as its most improved player.

The senior righthander from Dover, N.H., posted a 5-1 record with a sparkling 0.77 earned run average. Martin, who struck out 28 in 47 innings, helped Keene post a 32-10 record and reach the first round of the NECBL playoffs.

Last spring, Martin went 8-2 with a 4.02 ERA and four saves as UMaine won the America East championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The versatile Martin made 23 appearances, starting eight games, and posted 42 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings.

UMaine batterymate Matt McGraw also earned a spot on the All-NECBL first team as a member of the Holyoke (Mass.) Giants.

McGraw, a junior catcher from Burlington, Ontario, led Holyoke with a .316 batting average. He rapped three home runs and drove in 26, hitting 11 doubles and a triple.