Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Fall Camp Notebook: Day 2
8/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
by Grant Larson
Athletics Communications
The Colorado State Rams were back in action Friday morning for their second practice of the season. The 7 a.m. start-time marked the second consecutive early morning for the Rams, as many of the student-athletes continue to finish their summer coursework.
“I want to see us get better day to day,” head coach Mike Bobo said after practice. “I thought the defense got better from Day 1 to Day 2. That’s the true testament of a good football team. Can you improve, no matter if things are going good or bad?”
#RamFam16 continues to adjust to the culture of Rams football, but is starting to feel more comfortable each day as a unit. Bobo stressed the importance of patience and diligence amongst the newcomers, but emphasized that they all have a chance of making an immediate impact.
“You’ve got to set yourself up to have a great practice and get better,” Bobo said. “As a newcomer, you might not understand it right now, but you’re going to get it. You guys who think you have a job, you better watch out because players are coming for your jobs.”
With the departure of Rashard Higgins and Joe Hansley, the Rams’ leading receivers in 2015, the starting receiver spots are up for grabs and Bobo stated after practice that JuCo transfers Michael Gallup (WR) and Dalton Fackrell (TE) have definitely caught the staff’s attention.
“Gallup, I thought from yesterday to today, ran with a different demeanor. He ran with body language, he was attacking the DBs. Yesterday he was just trying to figure it out. He has a very large skill set. Gallup will play this year. He and Fackrell have showed up more than any of the other new skill guys.”
While the receivers are becoming more comfortable as the week progresses, it’s also a challenge for the quarterbacks to adjust to their new targets, which Bobo and the staff has certainly noticed in the first days of camp.I said RAMS!! Are. You. Ready?!? pic.twitter.com/kT2oQIYZM6
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) August 5, 2016
“We’re not as crisp as where we need to be in the throwing game, but I would attribute a lot of that to the transition among our receivers. Tight ends, I really believe they’re doing a really good job of being where they’re supposed to be. Danny (Nwosu) and Nolan (Peralta) and (Dalton) Fackrell understand; Dalton is a smart kid.”
The Rams have practiced in shorts and helmets these first two days, but will now gradually add more gear until they don their full pads for the first time on Monday morning. Fall Camp consists of 19 total practices, and will end on Aug. 20 as the student-athletes then prepare for the fall semester.
Defense stands out: The Rams are in the process of switching from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4, and the transition has gone smoothly thus far.
“I do feel, because Coach (Marty) English was here before and coached this defense with the majority of these guys, the transition is smoother than usual,” Bobo said. “But we still have issues. We have to create pressure and make the quarterback throw the ball sooner than he wants to. I thought we did that today. We had a lot of interceptions because of the pressure and guys making plays.”
Full days: While the team practiced for just two hours Friday, practice is just one component of fall camp. The players meet several times each day as both position groups and an entire team, watch film, hold a walk through, lift several times per week, have required meals together, spend time treating their bodies in the training room and have optional chapel services with team pastor Johnny Square. The team closes each day with a full meeting, snack and bed check.
