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Aug. 9, 2007
With exams taking place Wednesday and Thursday the football team has not spent as much time in meetings or on the field as normal. However, head coach Al Groh says the team has been able to use its football-related time well. “(This week’s practices have) been effective given the circumstances in which they’ve been conducted,” he said. “I think we’ve gotten a good deal out of them under those circumstances. (Friday) will be the first day that the real rhythm of camp starts and the players will only have one issue at hand and that will be football.”
At this early stage of training camp, Groh cautions that it is still too early to put a lot of stock into player and unit evaluation. “I’m really not pleased or unpleased with any of these practices so far. You just go coach them and then evaluate them and prepare for the next (practice). I think it will really be into next week before it’s valid to start forming some conclusions about players or units.”
The team practiced in shoulder pads for the first time Wednesday night, a step that lifts the intensity as the contact increases. “It picks up (the intensity) a little bit,” Groh said. “With shoulder pads last night, it made it look a little bit more like football. Today will be the second day of it and we expect it would pick up. Tomorrow (when we go to full pads), it starts to look a little more like the way the game is intended to be.”
Friday’s practice begins at 2:30 p.m. and is open for fans to come and get their first look at the 2007 Cavaliers. “We do like to give the fans that are so loyal and interested the opportunity to come out,” said Groh. “We’ve made friends with a lot of them because we see a lot of the same faces. Those are the types of people that it’s nice to afford the opportunity for (with open practices).”
Notes:
Groh indicated that first-year player Matt Conrath is working at defensive end in the early part of training camp, while classmate Anthony Mihota is one of several players being looked at at center.
“With certain players, their position is clearly defined,” said Groh. “But for a lot of these players where we have various options, it’s a combination of: what’s best for the player and what’s best for the team.
“If you can match it up, the very best spot for the player to play would also be the spot where he could help the team the most. Sometimes we start a player at a spot where he has the best chance to have positive circumstances early. Sometimes we just need a little experimentation to find out what (a) player’s best possibilities are.”
Thursday’s Question of the Day
What are your goals for camp?
Gordie Sammis: Get ready to win games.
Chris Cook: Get better.
Pete Bladel: Become a better player and help the team get better.
John Phillips: Get better every day.
Hall Simmons: Stay healthy and get better.
Aaron Clark: Move up the depth chart.
Cary Koch: Contribute enough to get a spot on the field.
Alex Field: Produce some good plays and get a spot on a few more special teams and perform to what I’m capable.
Zak Stair: To get better.
Nate Collins: Win a starting spot.
Jack Shields: To learn as much about the offense as I can.
Sean Gottschalk: To improve my all-around game and hopefully earn some playing time.