April 4th, 2009

It is hard to believe that Spring Ball is already half way over.  We have three goals for these 15 practices:  1) Get/Stay Healthy, 2) Build our Swagger and, 3) Have Fun.  It is so good to be outside coaching and playing football in the months of March and April.  Friday's practice was warm with blue sky, Saturday's scrimmage was overcast and chilly and today the snow has been blowing all day.  Our play has been more consistent than the weather but we still have a lot of work to do.  Our defense continues to set the pace for our team.  They were outstanding in the scrimmage on Saturday.  Our veterans in the front know what they are doing and they are talented.  We have a bunch of new faces in the secondary but they are getting better daily.  Offensively, we have a mixture of experienced veterans who are getting even better and young guys competing for positions.  Overall, we are getting better in year two of this system.  So far, it has been mostly drill work with the Special Teams but the kicking duties will be hotly contested.  The best part about Spring Ball is that our team is unified, positive and hungry.  We are all having a lot of fun as we work to get better. 

This weekend was a busy one as we hosted high school coaches at our Friday practice and then held a clinic afterwards - it is always good talking coaching philosophy and football.  Our staff is definitely enjoying getting to know the high school coaches around the state and we appreciated their attendance at both our practice and clinic.  I think our farthest guests came all the way from Kansas City!  We hope that all who spent time here this weekend were able to take something helpful away with them.

Can't wait for the second half of Spring Ball which starts up this week.  The following week is going to be a blast as we host our 2nd Annual Youth Day on Friday the 17th at 5:15 - any and all elementary school kids in the area are welcome.  Our players along with Drake Cheerleaders will spend time running around the field with the kids playing football and learning a cheer routine - signing autographs etc. it will be an awesome time.  The Spring will end with our Spring Game on the 18th.  Kickoff is set for 6pm.  Last year's game came down to a 47 yard field goal while time expired - we hope to see you at this year's game.

Go Bulldogs!

Spring Ball Picture Gallery!