First Spring Practice Update From John Wagner

[bg1984]

I'm thinking we fans may not even know what Babers' definition of "fast" is.

http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/35 ... _id=878183" target="_blank


"The Bowling Green State University football team held a high-speed first spring practice early Thursday morning.

The practice was run at such a quick tempo that tongues were hanging and bodies were dragging as new coach Dino Babers called the team together at Perry Field House … and delivered a jaw-dropper.

“We will never be this slow again,” Babers said.

“That was an eye-opener,” quarterback Matt Johnson admitted. “Most of us thought we were moving, and we weren’t.”

"“They had a good attitude, and they came ready to practice,” he (Babers) said. “There was a lot of learning and a lot of listening going on, and that was good.”

When one observer called the pace of play-calling, “lightning,” Babers was quick to reply, “That’s not lightning.

“They are thinking about what they are doing right now. Imagine them not thinking about what they’re doing and just moving and reacting.

“When they reach that point, we’ll really have something.”

Don't forget about the defense coach!

[MarkL]

MarkL = giddy

[TG1996]

But how many players puked? Isn't that the true measure of something? Puke?

[Falconfreak90]

With all the offensive firepower we have coming back, this should be something to behold. As bg1984 said, though, don't forget about the defense! That's what won us the title last yr, for the most part.

[BGSU33]

With all the offensive firepower we have coming back, this should be something to behold. As bg1984 said, though, don't forget about the defense! That's what won us the title last yr, for the most part.

I agree, and to take it one step forward, I am somewhat nervous about having this coaching change right now for one reason - we're not broken. We are MAC Champions. We won 10 games. We have a solid core of starters returning and a foundation in place. I would feel much better and confident if Clawson and his staff were leading us into 2014. That is not a knock on Babers at all, I would feel this way about any new coaching staff. But the fact that we are striving to implement this change of being a fast-pace, spread them out and fly type of a team isn't what got us here. This team evolved and developed and was well-rounded under Clawson. A few years ago we couldn't run the ball to save our life. Last year we had a back break 1,5000 yards himself. We had balance and we were resourceful as we averaged nearly 250 passing and 200 rushing per game. If we needed to run, we could run. If we needed to pass, we could pass. I remember our days of high-flying offense not long ago too. But I also remember how 3rd and 1 felt like trying to convert 3rd and 21 then too. Because when November rolls around and the wind starts blowing and the snow flakes start falling, you had better be able to line up and run the ball and eat some clock when you need to also. And Babers should know that first hand after what Towson did to Eastern Illinois on a snow-covered field at EIU in the Playoffs last year.

I'm not saying I'm not excited to see what we'll look like in 2014. I am, very much so. I am just a little concerned about changing or messing around too much with something that finally became pretty damn good and was built to continue that way. We've all heard the saying if it's not broke, don't fix it. I hope that holds true in ways here. If we can improve over what we were last year without sacrificing what we were and are, I am all for that. But if we struggle with the changes it would be a major shame considering what has been established. This staff isn't being handed a fixer-upper program or one that needs rebuilt. It has been turned over a relatively well-oiled machine that is still in need of some improvement but not an overhaul.

That is something I loved about Clawson when he took over BG. He wanted to building us into what he eventually got us to be last year, a team that could run, could block, use TE's, play action, etc. But he inherited a team that was setup to play the spread and we did that in his his first year and had decent success getting to a bowl led by a solid senior class. The following year was a disaster due to our heavy losses to graduation, the holes in our recruiting classes and making the transition, but he didn't just scrap that first year, he went with what worked best for our team at that time and that said a lot about him and his vision. I hope Babers' staff can do a little of the same.

[Flipper]

But how many players puked? Isn't that the true measure of something? Puke?

That pretty much encapsulates the philosophy behind Crossfit....but I digress. MAC defenses are...by and large...horrid. I love the fastball pace because it puts more stress on the weakest link. Of course, it stresses our defense because they have less time on the sidelines to rest and adjust, so there is a trade off.

[Globetrotter]

But how many players puked? Isn't that the true measure of something? Puke?

That pretty much encapsulates the philosophy behind Crossfit....but I digress. MAC defenses are...by and large...horrid. I love the fastball pace because it puts more stress on the weakest link. Of course, it stresses our defense because they have less time on the sidelines to rest and adjust, so there is a trade off.

Maybe it leads to more players playing and less players redshirting?

How many can we take to away games?

[Class of 61]

But how many players puked? Isn't that the true measure of something? Puke?

That WAS the case when Urban 1st over... Had barrels along the practice. Field for the convenience of the players. Was quite a turnover that 1 st yr. IIRC.

[kdog27]

Can't wait for the WKU game to see thus. We'll be there!

[TG1996]

But how many players puked? Isn't that the true measure of something? Puke?

That WAS the case when Urban 1st over... Had barrels along the practice. Field for the convenience of the players. Was quite a turnover that 1 st yr. IIRC.

And finally, we've found the sarcasm in my post... or the smart-assedness... or the something.

But puke or no, I hope Dino wins more MAC titles at BG than Urban and his protege combined.

[hammb]

Soooo excited.

The MAC Title was great, but I'm ready to playing exciting offensive football again. Clawson was old school. He was old school in a good way and was exactly what we needed at the time. He righted the ship, he brought in good MAC recruits, he taught discipline and built our program back up the way coaches have been doing it for years.

Now we're bringing in an innovative mind that I think has the ability to put this team over the top. Clawson's style was good enough to win the MAC, but we never beat a BCS conference team, and we struggled to beat the best teams in the MAC as well. I think Babers could be just what this program needs to take the program Clawson built and make it a top 25 ranked team. If these guys get into the type of shape that Babers needs them in I don't think there is an unwinnable game on our schedule.

I'm VERY excited for this team/program.

[MarkL]

Hammb - couldn't have said it better myself. Go Falcons!

[kdog27]

So there was a first practice update... Anything since?

[MarkL]

The students are on spring break right now, aren't they? I'm guessing starting next week we will be hearing a lot about practice.

[Falcon Commander]

new term guys. . . . "FALCON FAST"

Practice 3-18-06



https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... nUJBffm_Hc" target="_blank