Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Cats in Camp Day 1: Differences Evident on First Day of Fall Camp
8/3/2017 3:37:00 PM | Football
Familiarity playing a key role for coaches and players as Bobcat Football opened its Fall Camp slate Thursday
The second fall camp under head coach Jeff Choate made a different impression on the coach compared to Montana State football's first camp in 2016.
Both years had plenty of new faces. Both teams brought plenty of energy out to the practice field and came on to the gridiron off a summer with plenty of work accomplished.
What changed in that year-long span? Familiarity.
"I didn't have to run around nearly as much today," Choate said after practice. "I just had to point and say "go here, go here, get to the next drill," and that was a nice feeling.
The Bobcats used the entirety of their planned timed out opening fall practice Thursday, Aug. 3, on the natural grass fields outside Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. With team and individual work being encompassed throughout the live period, Choate saw a variety of things stand out.
"One of the things that stood out to me immediately is that we are a lot bigger and stronger on the defensive line in particular," Choate said. "We've added a lot of size there and maintained our athleticism. I'm excited about that. You see the maturity that we have in the secondary, the communication that's taking place between the corners and safeties, I think that's a real positive.
"You can see that these guys are a lot more comfortable with how we do things even though we have 30-something new guys. All they have to do is be a sheep and follow every body else and we'd get to the right spot."
As the competition heated up during practice, several MSU athletes began to find their groove. Despite a whole offseason of working out together, Choate noted that timing had deteriorated with the offensive unit initially, but consistency started to come together as the team eased into practice.
The biggest factor Choate noted was a second year for not only the players, but for the coaches who are working with their position groups. While last year may have been one focused on getting accustomed to how the new Bobcat regime operated, this year has less to do with logistics and more with being productive.
"I think it makes a huge difference," Choate said. "(The coaches and players) all speak the same language, sort to speak. I think the kids are a lot more comfortable with us. Everybody here that is in this program is either 100 percent bought in or we brought them (here). That makes a difference too.
"There's not a lot of dipping the toes in the water, it's time to go to work and they understand what the expectations are. I think I have a lot more confidence and trust in the leaders (of the team) and also our coaching staff that they know what the expectations are and I can sort of step back and observe and not have to be quite as hands on."
Differences are evident for the Bobcats in their second year under coach Choate and will continue to play a role as the fall camp season rolls along. One thing is certain, the head coach won't stay out of activities, as he has and will continue to jump in on a drill and instruct as he has before.
"There's moments I'd get bored, so I have to do something," Choate said and chuckled as MSU gears up for the 2017 season.
Both years had plenty of new faces. Both teams brought plenty of energy out to the practice field and came on to the gridiron off a summer with plenty of work accomplished.
What changed in that year-long span? Familiarity.
"I didn't have to run around nearly as much today," Choate said after practice. "I just had to point and say "go here, go here, get to the next drill," and that was a nice feeling.
The Bobcats used the entirety of their planned timed out opening fall practice Thursday, Aug. 3, on the natural grass fields outside Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. With team and individual work being encompassed throughout the live period, Choate saw a variety of things stand out.
"One of the things that stood out to me immediately is that we are a lot bigger and stronger on the defensive line in particular," Choate said. "We've added a lot of size there and maintained our athleticism. I'm excited about that. You see the maturity that we have in the secondary, the communication that's taking place between the corners and safeties, I think that's a real positive.
"You can see that these guys are a lot more comfortable with how we do things even though we have 30-something new guys. All they have to do is be a sheep and follow every body else and we'd get to the right spot."
As the competition heated up during practice, several MSU athletes began to find their groove. Despite a whole offseason of working out together, Choate noted that timing had deteriorated with the offensive unit initially, but consistency started to come together as the team eased into practice.
The biggest factor Choate noted was a second year for not only the players, but for the coaches who are working with their position groups. While last year may have been one focused on getting accustomed to how the new Bobcat regime operated, this year has less to do with logistics and more with being productive.
"I think it makes a huge difference," Choate said. "(The coaches and players) all speak the same language, sort to speak. I think the kids are a lot more comfortable with us. Everybody here that is in this program is either 100 percent bought in or we brought them (here). That makes a difference too.
"There's not a lot of dipping the toes in the water, it's time to go to work and they understand what the expectations are. I think I have a lot more confidence and trust in the leaders (of the team) and also our coaching staff that they know what the expectations are and I can sort of step back and observe and not have to be quite as hands on."
Differences are evident for the Bobcats in their second year under coach Choate and will continue to play a role as the fall camp season rolls along. One thing is certain, the head coach won't stay out of activities, as he has and will continue to jump in on a drill and instruct as he has before.
"There's moments I'd get bored, so I have to do something," Choate said and chuckled as MSU gears up for the 2017 season.
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