Position Switches Add Depth to Receiving Corps... Hopefully
4/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jason McEndoo has some advice for Montana State’s new receivers coach Brian Von Bergen. “Take every day with a grain of salt,” McEndoo says with a laugh. “Keep things in perspective.”
Six years ago, McEndoo’s offensive line endured the type of spring hat Bobcat receivers are going through in 2009. MSU finished McEndoo’s first spring, 2003, with just six healthy linemen, led by All-America tackle Brent Swaggert. “You need a sense of humor,” McEndoo said, “and some perspective.”
With returning starter DeSean Thomas recovering from knee surgery, the Bobcats started the spring short-handed at receiver. Nagging injuries have limited the participation of returner Derek Green, transfer Elvis Akpla and redshirt Mike Gallagher.
“We’re not dwelling on it, but it’s unique,” says Von Bergen, in his first spring as MSU’s receivers coach. “We started short-handed, with DeSean out, and losing the starters, it’s a little odd. It’s just a lot of nagging injuries. The problem probably seems worse than it is.”
With an eye on helping the situation in the short-term and the long-term, Ash quarterback/receiver Mark Desin moved back to receiver on a full-time basis this week, although he can still fill the emergency quarterback role, along with running back Rick Haluszka. Almost immediately, those two suffered minor injuries. “What makes it even more frustrating is that all of those (injured) guys showed flashes of strong performances right before the injury. Derek Green had a good practice going the day he was injured, Elvis (Akpla) had maybe his best practice, and Desin was going good the day he was hurt.”
Ash said Desin’s return to receiver moves the junior into a key role in MSU’s offense immediately. “We made this move because we feel Mark can positively impact us right away,” Ash said. “We certainly need him to fill a key role on offense. And he looked great before he went down.”
Even with so much of the receiving corps’ experience sidelined, co-offensive coordinator Dale Ploessl remains impressed with the effort. “I love how the young guys have competed,” he said. “They’re learning the system and the way we do things. For guys without any experience, they’re working hard and learning.”
Ash lauded several of the youngsters for their spring performances. "Kruiz Siewing had one of his best days of the spring Monday, he tracked down a deep ball, which he'd had trouble doing. Michael Chopp was doing well before he was banged up. We just don't have enough bodies right now."
Returning Starters (1): WR DeSean Thomas
Other Returning Lettermen (5): WR Derek Green, WR/QB Mark Desin
Returning Redshirts (5): WR Reil Cornelius, WR Mike Gallagher, WR Rick Haluszka, WR Dan Malison, WR Kruiz Siewing
Returning Squad Member (1): WR Michael Chopp
Incoming Transfer (1): WR Elvis Akpla
Six years ago, McEndoo’s offensive line endured the type of spring hat Bobcat receivers are going through in 2009. MSU finished McEndoo’s first spring, 2003, with just six healthy linemen, led by All-America tackle Brent Swaggert. “You need a sense of humor,” McEndoo said, “and some perspective.”
With returning starter DeSean Thomas recovering from knee surgery, the Bobcats started the spring short-handed at receiver. Nagging injuries have limited the participation of returner Derek Green, transfer Elvis Akpla and redshirt Mike Gallagher.
“We’re not dwelling on it, but it’s unique,” says Von Bergen, in his first spring as MSU’s receivers coach. “We started short-handed, with DeSean out, and losing the starters, it’s a little odd. It’s just a lot of nagging injuries. The problem probably seems worse than it is.”
With an eye on helping the situation in the short-term and the long-term, Ash quarterback/receiver Mark Desin moved back to receiver on a full-time basis this week, although he can still fill the emergency quarterback role, along with running back Rick Haluszka. Almost immediately, those two suffered minor injuries. “What makes it even more frustrating is that all of those (injured) guys showed flashes of strong performances right before the injury. Derek Green had a good practice going the day he was injured, Elvis (Akpla) had maybe his best practice, and Desin was going good the day he was hurt.”
Ash said Desin’s return to receiver moves the junior into a key role in MSU’s offense immediately. “We made this move because we feel Mark can positively impact us right away,” Ash said. “We certainly need him to fill a key role on offense. And he looked great before he went down.”
Even with so much of the receiving corps’ experience sidelined, co-offensive coordinator Dale Ploessl remains impressed with the effort. “I love how the young guys have competed,” he said. “They’re learning the system and the way we do things. For guys without any experience, they’re working hard and learning.”
Ash lauded several of the youngsters for their spring performances. "Kruiz Siewing had one of his best days of the spring Monday, he tracked down a deep ball, which he'd had trouble doing. Michael Chopp was doing well before he was banged up. We just don't have enough bodies right now."
Returning Starters (1): WR DeSean Thomas
Other Returning Lettermen (5): WR Derek Green, WR/QB Mark Desin
Returning Redshirts (5): WR Reil Cornelius, WR Mike Gallagher, WR Rick Haluszka, WR Dan Malison, WR Kruiz Siewing
Returning Squad Member (1): WR Michael Chopp
Incoming Transfer (1): WR Elvis Akpla
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
