Central Michigan University Athletics
Football Continues To Progress
4/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 1, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT -- It's back to normal for the Central Michigan football team. After a shortened week of spring ball last week, the Chippewas return to the gridiron this week refreshed and ready to play.
?The athletes needed to take this time off to look at themselves as a player,? said head coach Mike DeBord. ?Also, we've been hitting well in practice and it was time for the players to take care of their bodies. We have two-thirds of the spring season left and we need to finish strong.?
The team has completed five of the 15 spring practices allotted by the NCAA. With one-third of spring ball behind the team, DeBord is pleased with what he has seen so far.
?I think the progress of the team has been good,? the third-year mentor added. ?This team is getting better and if we continue to improve, I believe we have the opportunity to be a good team.?
One of the concerns going into the off season was the run defense. The Chippewas finished the 2001 campaign allowing opponents to scamper for 207.9 yards per game. CMU ranked 12th in the conference. However, DeBord has been pleased with what he has seen on the defensive side of the ball.
?I've noticed that our run defense has improved,? DeBord noted. ?I thought the defense played aggressively in our second-and-eight drill last week. This spring, we are actually stopping the run. We ran through the defense on every try last year. ?
Another concern that the team is addressing is tackling. The team has progressed from ?thuds? a week ago to full tackling.
?Tackling is our number-one priority,? said DeBord. ?Our coaches have emphasized the need to improve our tackling. I don't think we're there yet but it has improved.?
The conditioning continues to be a staple of the Chippewa football team. Five practices into the spring season and the players are still going strong with no notable injuries.
?I think that the mentality of this team is better than it has been in the previous spring outings,? DeBord commented. ?I like the mentality of this team ? we have had five good practices and we have players who are on the field for every rep. That can only make them better.
?The players went into the spring working and concentrating on the little things that it takes to win.?
CMU continues its offseason workouts this week with practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. All three practices start at 9:30 a.m.
