Central Michigan University Athletics
Football Opens Spring Practice
3/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT The defending Mid-American Conference champion Central Michigan University football program opened spring practice Monday morning with a two-hour session at the Indoor Athletic Complex.
The workout was the first of 15 spring practice dates, the final of which is the annual spring football game on Saturday, April 19 at 6 p.m. The Chippewas will return to the practice field Thursday morning.
Quoting head coach Butch Jones on the team’s first day on the practice field:
Jones’ thoughts on the team’s first practice:
I thought it was a typical first day of spring. There was some good and some things we need to improve on. The big thing for us is going to be finding the true identity of this football team. Each year is a different team with a different personality, and we are searching for the personality of the 2008 Chippewas. We are in a process of being a better football team each time we step off the football field. I thought our enthusiasm was good today and the kids were focused. What is important now is that we continue to improve our individual techniques and our schemes and find the guys that we will be able to count on and trust during the upcoming season.
Jones on the team’s focus during the opening week of spring drills:
Last year on day one we couldn’t finish the practice. This year there is a greater expectation of our demands and I know we are further ahead from a physical conditioning and physical development standpoint. We’re also further ahead with our schemes. This is the first year in a number of years that the same defensive coordinator is back with the program so the kids are not having to lean a completely new system.
Our focus is taking strides in the execution of our fundamentals. On day one today our fundamentals were not where they need to be, but that’s why you practice and we have 14 more opportunities to practice this spring.
Jones on the difference between spring practice during his first year as opposed to this year:
Our players know what to expect and they understand the expectations surrounding our program. They know their position coaches better, and we as a staff know the players better. Overall, there is just a better knowledge of the demands and expectations surrounding our program.
Jones on the team’s physical condition entering spring practice:
I thought our physical conditioning was good. Are we in game shape? No. But as much as you do in the offseason to simulate game conditions, the best way to get into football shape is by playing football. We’re nowhere near where we need to be to play Eastern Illinois.
We still have a number of guys recovering from surgeries. We have played 28 games over the past two seasons, and that has taken a toll on a lot of guys especially on the defensive line. The health of our defensive line is probably my biggest concern right now.
The workout was the first of 15 spring practice dates, the final of which is the annual spring football game on Saturday, April 19 at 6 p.m. The Chippewas will return to the practice field Thursday morning.
Quoting head coach Butch Jones on the team’s first day on the practice field:
Jones’ thoughts on the team’s first practice:
I thought it was a typical first day of spring. There was some good and some things we need to improve on. The big thing for us is going to be finding the true identity of this football team. Each year is a different team with a different personality, and we are searching for the personality of the 2008 Chippewas. We are in a process of being a better football team each time we step off the football field. I thought our enthusiasm was good today and the kids were focused. What is important now is that we continue to improve our individual techniques and our schemes and find the guys that we will be able to count on and trust during the upcoming season.
Jones on the team’s focus during the opening week of spring drills:
Last year on day one we couldn’t finish the practice. This year there is a greater expectation of our demands and I know we are further ahead from a physical conditioning and physical development standpoint. We’re also further ahead with our schemes. This is the first year in a number of years that the same defensive coordinator is back with the program so the kids are not having to lean a completely new system.
Our focus is taking strides in the execution of our fundamentals. On day one today our fundamentals were not where they need to be, but that’s why you practice and we have 14 more opportunities to practice this spring.
Jones on the difference between spring practice during his first year as opposed to this year:
Our players know what to expect and they understand the expectations surrounding our program. They know their position coaches better, and we as a staff know the players better. Overall, there is just a better knowledge of the demands and expectations surrounding our program.
Jones on the team’s physical condition entering spring practice:
I thought our physical conditioning was good. Are we in game shape? No. But as much as you do in the offseason to simulate game conditions, the best way to get into football shape is by playing football. We’re nowhere near where we need to be to play Eastern Illinois.
We still have a number of guys recovering from surgeries. We have played 28 games over the past two seasons, and that has taken a toll on a lot of guys especially on the defensive line. The health of our defensive line is probably my biggest concern right now.
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