Daily Trainer #5: Kramer Enjoys Special (Teams) Days
8/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Tuesday and Wednesday were special days for Bobcat football coach Mike Kramer.
As in, special teams.
"Yeah, it doesn't get any better than this for me," smiled Kramer, MSU's special teams coordinator, who clearly relishes the prospect of spending large chunks of MSU's practice time on the kicking game.
Tuesday's practice and walk-throughs were largely devoted to the kick units. Kramer is pleased with what he's seen so far, but also cautious. "I never pass judgment until I see guys in a game," he said. "It's a mindset, a mentality. You have to know what's important in the drill to practice effectively, and that carries over to the game."
Kramer doesn't mince words regarding what he wants to see in his special teams mainstays. "I want to see guys like Clive Lowe, Grant Elliott, Clayton Curley, Ryan Cogley. My soldiers. Those are three proven game-day guys. Everyone else has to earn my love."
While a host of players need to earn Kramer's love, his heart flutters at the thought of a chosen few. "Ty McDonald, Wes Mauia, Eddie Smith, Dan Ashley, those guys are in a group that could really step forward."
While Travis Lulay is set as MSU's punter, the remainder of the special teams' "skilled" positions remain up for grabs. "Tramaine Murray has been good as a kick returner and Michael Bass as a punt returner, but Jevon Miller will have a shot, and our Jim Thorpe (Ryan Force) is waiting in the wings," Kramer said. "But I won't know until I see those guys return in a game. When I see a guy that doesn't tiptoe or cut his steps, he's our guy."
Montana State's field goal kicker has yet to be determined, but a pair of newcomers remain in competition with returning redshirt Tyler Bolton. JC transfer Jeff Hastings has impressed in his two days in camp, Eric Fisher has shown a strong leg, and Bolton has shown more consistency than last year.
"It's really more than numbers and charts and keeping track of things," Kramer said. "It's like your first girlfriend. You just know."
As in, special teams.
"Yeah, it doesn't get any better than this for me," smiled Kramer, MSU's special teams coordinator, who clearly relishes the prospect of spending large chunks of MSU's practice time on the kicking game.
Tuesday's practice and walk-throughs were largely devoted to the kick units. Kramer is pleased with what he's seen so far, but also cautious. "I never pass judgment until I see guys in a game," he said. "It's a mindset, a mentality. You have to know what's important in the drill to practice effectively, and that carries over to the game."
Kramer doesn't mince words regarding what he wants to see in his special teams mainstays. "I want to see guys like Clive Lowe, Grant Elliott, Clayton Curley, Ryan Cogley. My soldiers. Those are three proven game-day guys. Everyone else has to earn my love."
While a host of players need to earn Kramer's love, his heart flutters at the thought of a chosen few. "Ty McDonald, Wes Mauia, Eddie Smith, Dan Ashley, those guys are in a group that could really step forward."
While Travis Lulay is set as MSU's punter, the remainder of the special teams' "skilled" positions remain up for grabs. "Tramaine Murray has been good as a kick returner and Michael Bass as a punt returner, but Jevon Miller will have a shot, and our Jim Thorpe (Ryan Force) is waiting in the wings," Kramer said. "But I won't know until I see those guys return in a game. When I see a guy that doesn't tiptoe or cut his steps, he's our guy."
Montana State's field goal kicker has yet to be determined, but a pair of newcomers remain in competition with returning redshirt Tyler Bolton. JC transfer Jeff Hastings has impressed in his two days in camp, Eric Fisher has shown a strong leg, and Bolton has shown more consistency than last year.
"It's really more than numbers and charts and keeping track of things," Kramer said. "It's like your first girlfriend. You just know."
Monday, August 24
Monday, August 24
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
