BOBCAT CAMP REPORT: Bounceback Day for Bobcat 'O'
8/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Rob Ash is the first to acknowledge that the defense is ahead of the offense after the first week of any college football camp, so there was no need for relief Tuesday afternoon when Montana State's offense registered a solid practice session.
Still, Ash said it was good to see. "I thought the offense was better today," MSU's first-year head coach said. "There were a lot of things that were much-improved. They're beginning to understand the basic assignments better. We had some new things in that we're a little shaky on, but the things we've had in for a few days now are starting to click."
Both primary elements of the offense made strides, he said. "We're getting our combinations better, taking care of first-level people better, getting onto the right linebackers in the running game. I thought Isaiah (Taito) and Demetrius (Crawford, MSU's running backs) did a real good job seeing how the blocking scheme was going to work in front of them and getting to the right spot. We were going just by feel before, but now we're seeing the blocks. Jack and Cory did a much better job staying in the pocket, having a pocket presence, avoiding that first rush and trusting the protection."
Tuesday afternoon's single practice completed a second cycle of two-a-day practice sessions, and Ash said the advanced rate of progress made comes with a price. "It's kind of a mixed thing," he said. "You see rapid progress because people learn best by doing. When they're out on the field more they progress faster. The down side of that is that more people get banged up, more people get sore and sluggish, and you have people missing. We had a half-dozen key players out today, and they don't get anything done because they're out. That's the dichotomy you're always trying to balance as a coach - the more we do the better we get, but the more we do the more it wears the team down. That's the balance you try to find."
The Bobcats practice twice on Wednesday at the MSU practice fields.
LOVE FOR THE BUCKS: Sophomore defensive end Dane Fletcher's attention was solely on football last week. One of the outstanding players in the recent history of the Bozeman Bucks American Legion program, Fletcher was excited by Bozeman's first-ever state title. "That was great," he said with a smile. Fletcher and his mates came close to a state crown in 2005, when the Bucks bowed out with four teams remaining.
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES: If Bobcat coach Rob Ash gazes towards the east occasionally during practice, he is to be excused. He is keeping an anxious eye on the water tower on Peete's Hill on the east side of town, which serves as a benchmark for the MSU Athletic Training staff in determining the safety level of practicing as smoke from nearby fires envelopes the Gallatin Valley. "I've never experienced anything like this," Ash said, "but the trainers absolutely have the final say in anything related to safety. We'll go with what Rob Higgs and his staff says."
Still, Ash said it was good to see. "I thought the offense was better today," MSU's first-year head coach said. "There were a lot of things that were much-improved. They're beginning to understand the basic assignments better. We had some new things in that we're a little shaky on, but the things we've had in for a few days now are starting to click."
Both primary elements of the offense made strides, he said. "We're getting our combinations better, taking care of first-level people better, getting onto the right linebackers in the running game. I thought Isaiah (Taito) and Demetrius (Crawford, MSU's running backs) did a real good job seeing how the blocking scheme was going to work in front of them and getting to the right spot. We were going just by feel before, but now we're seeing the blocks. Jack and Cory did a much better job staying in the pocket, having a pocket presence, avoiding that first rush and trusting the protection."
Tuesday afternoon's single practice completed a second cycle of two-a-day practice sessions, and Ash said the advanced rate of progress made comes with a price. "It's kind of a mixed thing," he said. "You see rapid progress because people learn best by doing. When they're out on the field more they progress faster. The down side of that is that more people get banged up, more people get sore and sluggish, and you have people missing. We had a half-dozen key players out today, and they don't get anything done because they're out. That's the dichotomy you're always trying to balance as a coach - the more we do the better we get, but the more we do the more it wears the team down. That's the balance you try to find."
The Bobcats practice twice on Wednesday at the MSU practice fields.
LOVE FOR THE BUCKS: Sophomore defensive end Dane Fletcher's attention was solely on football last week. One of the outstanding players in the recent history of the Bozeman Bucks American Legion program, Fletcher was excited by Bozeman's first-ever state title. "That was great," he said with a smile. Fletcher and his mates came close to a state crown in 2005, when the Bucks bowed out with four teams remaining.
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES: If Bobcat coach Rob Ash gazes towards the east occasionally during practice, he is to be excused. He is keeping an anxious eye on the water tower on Peete's Hill on the east side of town, which serves as a benchmark for the MSU Athletic Training staff in determining the safety level of practicing as smoke from nearby fires envelopes the Gallatin Valley. "I've never experienced anything like this," Ash said, "but the trainers absolutely have the final say in anything related to safety. We'll go with what Rob Higgs and his staff says."
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
