Spring Practice in the Books

Spring ball finished last week and we are in the process of finalizing recruiting and holding our end of year meetings with returning players. April practice showed promise, but also showed the gaps that have to be filled for BC to be successful in 2011. Final Strength Testing numbers have about 25% of team performing at a competitive award level. Our team goal is 40% of the roster at Award Strength level so significant summer work will have to be done. In Division III where the majority of this work is done away from campus, it will take real commitment and discipline from our group. We did have six new additions to our Super Iron Eagle Level of strength. LBs Chris Wholey, Brandon Barrow/ DL- Tyler Thompson, John Brilliant/ FB- Nick Wimer and DB Orlando Bryant. Leigh Bradley renewed at Super Iron level at WR. Top spring 40 yard dash results were turned in by Leigh Bradley, Julius Delbridge and Orlando Bryant who showed that explosive strength and speed partner up. We hope the younger athletes take notice.

The QB position is always front and center with Football, but our final decision on who will replace Hagan Driskell will be made in preseason camp. Although the skill kids get high volume and quality work in the spring it is difficult to make this final call without the pressure of going against full defenses who are actually hitting back. It would be difficult to analyze a boxer after watching him hit the speed, heavy bag, and jump rope. When the people in the fight swing back at you; that is when real mettle shows. The structure of Division III spring ball (No pads, no contact) does not give us this opportunity. Mobility will be a non-negotiable trait and I do believe the in house players in bits and pieces have ability that will allow us to successfully compete in the fall. Spring has allowed us to indentify weaknesses, the maturity to work on these over the summer could be what gives a player an early edge.

With health and summer development we could have both experience and some depth on both lines of scrimmage entering the '11 season. Never underestimate the quiet impact on games that is played out on the line of scrimmage. I believe this will be important particularly on the defensive side of the ball where the perimeter must be rebuilt somewhat. From a coaching perspective, we will take some time in May and make preliminary plans for August. It is very important here that we play to our players strength and put new people in positions where they can play hard.

I avoid recruiting comments in the spring although our class is in its’ final stages of recruitment. There are always a handful of key kids we are chasing in May and by Memorial Day this phase of our operation should be complete. Skill kids were a high priority and as a group I believe we have gotten athletic kids at RB, WR, and in the Secondary who will bring good versatility to the program. The more flexible a recruit can be from a position standpoint, the quicker his chance to have impact.

Will Davis really did quality work in Place-kicking this spring. As a rising Senior, his kicking game over the past two seasons has had both ups and downs. It was great to see pressure kicks being made at the end of work-outs. Much like the QB, nobody was rushing so the jury is still out, but we made progress in this critical phase.

On a side note I spoke to Tyler Beiler and although he was disappointed at not being a late round draft pick it has been said that a top free-agent often times is in a better position in that he can pick the right spot to take his shot. It is difficult in that under the lock-out, NFL teams are not allowed to contact the players in that Free-Agent pool at this time. Although he and his agent are aware of who needs WR help, and what teams had the most pre-draft contact and interest in him, at present they are prohibited from communicating. It is a waiting game now. When things get settled we do believe he will get his shot.

We will look to do a live chat in mid-May to discuss upcoming season and summer plans. The amount of time we have to prepare is equal to every opponent on the schedule. In Division III there are a lot variables that are out of our control. The choice to outwork your opponent is one we get to make on a daily basis.

~ Coach Clark