Colorado State University Athletics
Monday Presser: Bye Week Hits Checkmarks
10/21/2019 4:16:00 PM | Football
Fresh legs expected as Rams head to Fresno State
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The bye week produced a very short checklist.
Get healthy. Improve fundamentally. Hit the books.
As Colorado State's football team returned to the practice field Monday in front of Saturday's road game at Fresno State (5:30 p.m.; ESPNU), head coach Mike Bobo felt the Rams hit those targets and will be ready to take advantage of an extra day to prep for a venture into the West Division.
"I feel good about where we are right now. We had two really good practices," Bobo said at his regular Monday press conference. "They weren't long; they were a little more like spring practice, around an hour and 45 minutes. Some good-on-good work, a lot of individual, a lot of fundamentals. The guys who were a little bit banged up we held out, but it was good to get young guys some work. I feel really, really good about that."
Physically, it was a chance for some players to get a little spring back in their step. He noted Jan-Phillip Bombek, who played every defensive snap in the win over New Mexico; freshman wideout Dante Wright, who has logged a lot of plays; and even Warren Jackson, who, coming off injury, could use a bit of a break.
In turn, he hopes to see the return of defensive linemen Toby McBridey (who has played in just two games) and Manny Jones (who sat out against New Mexico).
All of them took part in individual drills and other focused sets, but no team work. For quarterback Patrick O'Brien, it was the opposite. The week gave him a chance to clean up some fundamental aspects, then extra reps with the starting offensive line to start creating good habits.
Academically, those who were behind were allowed to catch up, some even missing practice. Those who were in good standing had a chance to move ahead with a road trip on the slate.
"We got back to basics. Base defense and base offense and blocking and tackling, throwing and catching, going out there and just trying to get better fundamentally," he said. "You can always work on fundamentals, but your individual time shrinks as your season goes on. We spent a lot of time in individual, a lot of group work – O-line vs. D-line, receivers vs. DBs -- a lot of fundamentals in special teams. We focused on that. That was our objective, get better fundamentally, and if we're behind academically, to get caught up."
The players did not practice from Wednesday through the weekend, and some of them noted they were going to take the time to get away from the Xs and Os of it all, saying a fresh mind upon their return would pay dividends. When they were watching games on Saturday, they would do so as fans, not as a study session.
Well Wishes
Bobo opened Monday's media session by sending his best to his former coach and mentor, Mark Richt. Bobo played quarterback for Georgia, and it was Richt – who guided the Bulldogs from 2001-15, who hired Bobo as an assistant coach, later promoting him to offensive coordinator.
Richt, who retired from coaching last year after a three-year stint at his alma mater, Miami, is now working for the ACC Network and ESPN. He used social media on Monday to let people know he plans to be at work this week.
For Bobo, that's good news.
"I don't know how serious it was; it sounds like he's doing well now," Bobo said. "I actually talked to him on Friday when I was on the road for a good long time, and had a really good conversation. He's a guy who means a lot to me and our family. I just want to let him know that we're thinking about him."
Here and There
Where the Rams are dinged up, the chance was afforded to some younger players to make their push. At wideout, Bobo said E.J. Scott looked strong after serving a two-game team suspension, and freshman Ty McCulloch was impressive, but the rest of the young group still has more development awaiting them. … With Butler a question mark, Griffin Hammer was given a chance to show he could fill a bigger role after missing the first five games of the campaign. Running backs Christian Hunter and Jaylen Thomas took a good portion of the reps in the backfield. … The game plan is already in place, giving Bobo and his staff a virtual extra day. Monday's practice would be more like a Tuesday, heavy on installation. Tuesday could be more of the same of a mix of that with a bit of a Wednesday routine thrown in before the actual day.
Get healthy. Improve fundamentally. Hit the books.
As Colorado State's football team returned to the practice field Monday in front of Saturday's road game at Fresno State (5:30 p.m.; ESPNU), head coach Mike Bobo felt the Rams hit those targets and will be ready to take advantage of an extra day to prep for a venture into the West Division.
"I feel good about where we are right now. We had two really good practices," Bobo said at his regular Monday press conference. "They weren't long; they were a little more like spring practice, around an hour and 45 minutes. Some good-on-good work, a lot of individual, a lot of fundamentals. The guys who were a little bit banged up we held out, but it was good to get young guys some work. I feel really, really good about that."
Physically, it was a chance for some players to get a little spring back in their step. He noted Jan-Phillip Bombek, who played every defensive snap in the win over New Mexico; freshman wideout Dante Wright, who has logged a lot of plays; and even Warren Jackson, who, coming off injury, could use a bit of a break.
In turn, he hopes to see the return of defensive linemen Toby McBridey (who has played in just two games) and Manny Jones (who sat out against New Mexico).
All of them took part in individual drills and other focused sets, but no team work. For quarterback Patrick O'Brien, it was the opposite. The week gave him a chance to clean up some fundamental aspects, then extra reps with the starting offensive line to start creating good habits.
Academically, those who were behind were allowed to catch up, some even missing practice. Those who were in good standing had a chance to move ahead with a road trip on the slate.
"We got back to basics. Base defense and base offense and blocking and tackling, throwing and catching, going out there and just trying to get better fundamentally," he said. "You can always work on fundamentals, but your individual time shrinks as your season goes on. We spent a lot of time in individual, a lot of group work – O-line vs. D-line, receivers vs. DBs -- a lot of fundamentals in special teams. We focused on that. That was our objective, get better fundamentally, and if we're behind academically, to get caught up."
The players did not practice from Wednesday through the weekend, and some of them noted they were going to take the time to get away from the Xs and Os of it all, saying a fresh mind upon their return would pay dividends. When they were watching games on Saturday, they would do so as fans, not as a study session.
Well Wishes
Bobo opened Monday's media session by sending his best to his former coach and mentor, Mark Richt. Bobo played quarterback for Georgia, and it was Richt – who guided the Bulldogs from 2001-15, who hired Bobo as an assistant coach, later promoting him to offensive coordinator.
Richt, who retired from coaching last year after a three-year stint at his alma mater, Miami, is now working for the ACC Network and ESPN. He used social media on Monday to let people know he plans to be at work this week.
For Bobo, that's good news.
"I don't know how serious it was; it sounds like he's doing well now," Bobo said. "I actually talked to him on Friday when I was on the road for a good long time, and had a really good conversation. He's a guy who means a lot to me and our family. I just want to let him know that we're thinking about him."
Here and There
Where the Rams are dinged up, the chance was afforded to some younger players to make their push. At wideout, Bobo said E.J. Scott looked strong after serving a two-game team suspension, and freshman Ty McCulloch was impressive, but the rest of the young group still has more development awaiting them. … With Butler a question mark, Griffin Hammer was given a chance to show he could fill a bigger role after missing the first five games of the campaign. Running backs Christian Hunter and Jaylen Thomas took a good portion of the reps in the backfield. … The game plan is already in place, giving Bobo and his staff a virtual extra day. Monday's practice would be more like a Tuesday, heavy on installation. Tuesday could be more of the same of a mix of that with a bit of a Wednesday routine thrown in before the actual day.
Players Mentioned
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