Kramer Looking Forward to Spring Ball
3/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Mike Kramer knows what his Montana State football team needs to accomplish this spring. He just doesn't know when the Bobcats will begin that undertaking.
"We'll practice in accordance with the weather," said Kramer, who begins his fifth spring session as Montana State's head football coach, and his second straight as the leader of the defending Big Sky Conference Champions. "The only three things that are set are our scrimmages."
The Bobcats open practice the week of March 23, but the exact date is contingent on weather and field conditions. "We could begin on Tuesday (March 23) or Wednesday (March 24), and we'll let things unfold from there."
Kramer is more certain about his priorities for the spring practice session. "Our number one priority is to replace our entire secondary," Kramer said. The Bobcats lose senior starters Joey Thomas and Jay Hackett at the corner, and safeties Kane Ioane and Kenneth Qualls.
MSU's cast in the secondary will change from spring practice to the fall, Kramer said. "We'll go through the spring with one, maybe two starters not available. We'll be a little shorthanded." Kahiam Hunter is expected to man one of the cornerback spots this spring. He was second on the team with seven pass breakups last year. Cornerback DeAngelo Wall and safeties Ryan Force and Demond Goins enter the spring as projected starters. Redshirts Andre Fuller, John Lebrum, and Kory Austin will see time.
MSU's other priorities, Kramer said, lie on the other side of the line of scrimmage. "I want to see our continued evolution as an offense, particularly at wide receiver," Kramer said. "Eddie Sullivan and Brandon Roosevelt both have experience as starters, and I expect that they'll have outstanding seasons. Demetrius Williams finished strong last season, and I'm looking forward to watching the progress of Ricky Gatewood, Mike Williams, Kellen Alley, and Branton Sherman."
Kramer will also train a keen eye on the progress of his offensive line. Five players return who started at least one game last fall, including tackles Joe Hirst and Dusty Daws. Centers Zach Wolf and Lawrence Figueroa, who Wolf replaced after a mid-season injury, anchor the line, while guard Jeff Bolton also returns. Brant Birkeland and Rory Canfield should battle for duties at a guard opposite of Bolton.
"I'm really looking forward to watching Adam DeCock, Peder Jensen, and Rory Canfield," Kramer said. "Those guys will be asked to play major roles this year, and they'll be important for depth this year."
MSU will stage its first major scrimmage of the spring on Saturday, April 3, in Great Falls. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 pm, and a Kids' Clinic will precede the scrimmage at 1 pm. The team will scrimmage on Saturday, April 10, and will wrap up spring ball with the Sonny Holland Classic at 2 pm on April 17.
"We'll practice in accordance with the weather," said Kramer, who begins his fifth spring session as Montana State's head football coach, and his second straight as the leader of the defending Big Sky Conference Champions. "The only three things that are set are our scrimmages."
The Bobcats open practice the week of March 23, but the exact date is contingent on weather and field conditions. "We could begin on Tuesday (March 23) or Wednesday (March 24), and we'll let things unfold from there."
Kramer is more certain about his priorities for the spring practice session. "Our number one priority is to replace our entire secondary," Kramer said. The Bobcats lose senior starters Joey Thomas and Jay Hackett at the corner, and safeties Kane Ioane and Kenneth Qualls.
MSU's cast in the secondary will change from spring practice to the fall, Kramer said. "We'll go through the spring with one, maybe two starters not available. We'll be a little shorthanded." Kahiam Hunter is expected to man one of the cornerback spots this spring. He was second on the team with seven pass breakups last year. Cornerback DeAngelo Wall and safeties Ryan Force and Demond Goins enter the spring as projected starters. Redshirts Andre Fuller, John Lebrum, and Kory Austin will see time.
MSU's other priorities, Kramer said, lie on the other side of the line of scrimmage. "I want to see our continued evolution as an offense, particularly at wide receiver," Kramer said. "Eddie Sullivan and Brandon Roosevelt both have experience as starters, and I expect that they'll have outstanding seasons. Demetrius Williams finished strong last season, and I'm looking forward to watching the progress of Ricky Gatewood, Mike Williams, Kellen Alley, and Branton Sherman."
Kramer will also train a keen eye on the progress of his offensive line. Five players return who started at least one game last fall, including tackles Joe Hirst and Dusty Daws. Centers Zach Wolf and Lawrence Figueroa, who Wolf replaced after a mid-season injury, anchor the line, while guard Jeff Bolton also returns. Brant Birkeland and Rory Canfield should battle for duties at a guard opposite of Bolton.
"I'm really looking forward to watching Adam DeCock, Peder Jensen, and Rory Canfield," Kramer said. "Those guys will be asked to play major roles this year, and they'll be important for depth this year."
MSU will stage its first major scrimmage of the spring on Saturday, April 3, in Great Falls. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 pm, and a Kids' Clinic will precede the scrimmage at 1 pm. The team will scrimmage on Saturday, April 10, and will wrap up spring ball with the Sonny Holland Classic at 2 pm on April 17.
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