Tuesday - Spring Practice Four

As you can see, for the team's fourth practice of the spring everyone donned full pads. Although just about everything was done at less than full speed there was still more contact and they're definitely working up towards going full speed. Today the guys got in trouble if they hit anyone hard enough to put them on the ground (happened to a couple of receivers coming across the middle - Kevin Patterson drilled someone, I think maybe Chip Brinkman early in practice and then it happened again later, but I couldn't see who was involved).

This is a critical week for the offensive line as they're able to go full speed for the first time. I wasn't focusing on them today for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it's probably good for them to get a couple days under their belts in pads before we dive too much into that, so I'll withhold my judgment there for a day or two.

Redshirt Freshman Brandon Pendergrass definitely caught my eye today. He's been looking good throughout, but a couple of his moves today were very impressive. He's only 5'8" but weighs about 200 pounds, making him very hard to hit, and likely very hard to bring down.

One other thing to note from today - RS freshman Dennis Godfry sat out today with an injury to his hand. It isn't anything too serious and he's expected to be back this weekend.

I had the chance to talk to Coach Grobe for a couple of minutes before practice and asked him about what he wants the players to be working on here in the spring:

"We tell them all the time it's going to be hard for you to earn a job if you don't know what to do. Especially for the younger players knowing the offense, knowing the defense, being able to pick up special teams, they have to be able to do that pretty quick. More than anything in Spring practice we're looking for guys who like to compete. I like seeing guys out here who you can tell by their attitude and the way they work that they're enjoying practicing. That's what it's all about in the Spring."

"For our veterans we look for guys to not get stale. We want our guys getting better every day and that's the mark of a champion; coming out every day and finding a way to get better."

That's about it for today. Check back tomorrow and Thursday for continued reports from practice.