Hey, its Spring football time

Its spring practice time, and Ryan at the Blade has a few words with the Coach.

As always, this is an excellent summary of what is going on with the program, as things gear up for Spring practice. This is an important time in our program, because this team is stocked well enough to win the MAC. Every Falcon fan wants to see the killer instinct---Git 'er done!

The lead story is, without doubt, the O-line. Since the beginning of the Meyer/Brandon era, the O-line has been a consistent strength. Coached for most of that time by one of our best coaches (Stud), and with consistent, high quality players, our line has been the true and less glamorous building block of our team.

Well, with Lichtenteiger (last year's MVP), Drew Nystrom and Kevin Huselman all graduate after great Falcon careers. The skill players are back for us, but football begins on the line, and our coaches know we have to rebuild the O-line.

Here's what Ryan writes on this:

Senior Aaron Kent is the favorite to replace Drew Nystrom at left tackle, and sophomore Tyler Donahue is the likely heir to Kevin Huelsman at right tackle. Junior college transfer Casey McHugh will also be considered as will D.J. Young, who was previously a defensive tackle.
Brandon Curtis, a starter at guard last year, will practice at center and seems to be the top candidate to replace Kory Lichtensteiger. Curtis saw reps at center last spring when Lichtensteiger was injured. In the mix at guard are Brady Minturn, Jeff Fink, Scott Albert, Scott Lewis, and Ben Bojicic, who can play anywhere on the line. Minturn started the bowl game in place of Shane Steffy, who is still recovering from a broken leg.

So, no doubt, that's job one. Here are some other nuggetty tidbits....

Those being held out of practices due to injuries are Steffy, Josh Scheidler, Nick Davis, and John Haneline. Eric Ransom and Calvin Wiley will participate on a limited basis.

Fr. Linebacker Gary Wright has left the program.
Fr. Linebacker Glen Stanley, who made great plays filling in for John Haneline and looks to be a true stud, missed the bowl game with academic problems and is not in Spring Practice. He is still with the program, and we all hope to see him back on the field with his academic issues under control.

With that, our linebacking depth in the spring is not at all good.

We are still toying with playing Corey Partridge both ways.

PJ Mahone, who was very productive last year in our multi-back sets and as an injury replacement is starting the spring as #1 on the safety depth chart. Sanderson will now be the nickel back, "which is really an outside linebacker," according to the coach.

AT is number 1 tailback, but they also plan on using him in the slot (where he is a deadly slash threat), allowing our other backs to get some carries, too.