Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Mike Brohard
In Position: Tight ends look to make most of their chances
7/1/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
Pursuit from Jones not limited to football
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – In just a short time, Nick Jones has made an impression.
Hired prior to the opening of spring camp in 2019 to serve as the co-special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, his players have learned he can deliver an inspiring message. For junior Cameron Butler, his words carry weight.
"He gives us these speeches you'll never forget," Butler said. "He'll tell you exactly what needs to be done, how it needs to be done. Anytime when we're in the classroom or on the field, we carry his wisdom."
What Jones wants his players to focus on in the summer months is not limited to the field of play. They are not limited to creating better habits in the weight room, nor improved performance in the classroom.
Instead, his target is for his players to find ways to improve their efforts in all facets of their life, knowing full well they will translate directly into practice, workouts and schoolwork.
"The thing we always talk about is making the most of your opportunity every day," Jones said. "That's just preparation, how you work. One of the big things I preach to them is it's all about habits. The habits you create are going to be the habits that make you successful, both on and off the field. It's putting yourself in position to maximize your opportunities.
"It's an everyday, every play mentality. No matter what happened the year before, the play before, the day before, I'm going to maximize this day in every phase. That's my biggest thing."
Instituting the directive into action has not been an issue in the slightest for Trey McBride. To him, the Rams should be carrying a chip on their shoulder after last season's 3-9 mark. It wasn't the season they envisioned as a team, and a repeat performance is unacceptable for those who navigate the locker room.
What they did last year didn't work, so he said repeating the tactics would be a fool's game. So far, he has seen an increased intensity and desire to correct the flaws of the past, and he's making an individual push to pave a path in all he touches on campus.
"I think that it's definitely something we need to focus on. You never know when your last opportunity, your last rep is going to be, so you want to make sure when you get the chance you're maximizing what you're doing, no matter what it is," McBride said. "Whether it's on the field, in the classroom, making sure you're on time – it's doing everything to the best of our ability because you never know when your last one is going to be."
In Butler and McBride, Colorado State has a pair of young tight ends who have already played a lot of downs. They can block, and they can catch the ball. Butler produced 29 receptions (fourth on the team) for 312 yards as a sophomore, and McBride – as a true freshman – hauled in seven passes, including a 48-yard touchdown against Florida.
In the pursuit of the offensive staff finding the best 11 players against the varied defensive schemes CSU will face, the duo wants to be considered to be among the chosen group. Jones likes such thinking, as well as the pursuit it requires.
So he reminds them – constantly – none of which will be given. It must be earned.
Daily.
"Here's the deal. I'll be frank with it. I have a good group," Jones said. "Talented guys who are good football players, who have played a lot of football here. But they're still young, too. Continue to develop the technique. With being young and having some experience, there's room to grow. I'm excited about that crew."
McBride is all for a two-tight end set. He's also prepared to go out and earn the right to be on the field. He doesn't want to be anywhere near average, nor does Butler. So they've done more than listened to Jones, they've taken his inspiration and put it into practice. Off the field, too, but on the field, definitely.
"Absolutely. Our whole group, I believe, is good enough to get on the field at all times," Butler said. "We get chances during the game, and it's whether or not we make those plays."
Hired prior to the opening of spring camp in 2019 to serve as the co-special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, his players have learned he can deliver an inspiring message. For junior Cameron Butler, his words carry weight.
"He gives us these speeches you'll never forget," Butler said. "He'll tell you exactly what needs to be done, how it needs to be done. Anytime when we're in the classroom or on the field, we carry his wisdom."
What Jones wants his players to focus on in the summer months is not limited to the field of play. They are not limited to creating better habits in the weight room, nor improved performance in the classroom.
Instead, his target is for his players to find ways to improve their efforts in all facets of their life, knowing full well they will translate directly into practice, workouts and schoolwork.
"The thing we always talk about is making the most of your opportunity every day," Jones said. "That's just preparation, how you work. One of the big things I preach to them is it's all about habits. The habits you create are going to be the habits that make you successful, both on and off the field. It's putting yourself in position to maximize your opportunities.
"It's an everyday, every play mentality. No matter what happened the year before, the play before, the day before, I'm going to maximize this day in every phase. That's my biggest thing."
Instituting the directive into action has not been an issue in the slightest for Trey McBride. To him, the Rams should be carrying a chip on their shoulder after last season's 3-9 mark. It wasn't the season they envisioned as a team, and a repeat performance is unacceptable for those who navigate the locker room.
What they did last year didn't work, so he said repeating the tactics would be a fool's game. So far, he has seen an increased intensity and desire to correct the flaws of the past, and he's making an individual push to pave a path in all he touches on campus.
"I think that it's definitely something we need to focus on. You never know when your last opportunity, your last rep is going to be, so you want to make sure when you get the chance you're maximizing what you're doing, no matter what it is," McBride said. "Whether it's on the field, in the classroom, making sure you're on time – it's doing everything to the best of our ability because you never know when your last one is going to be."
In Butler and McBride, Colorado State has a pair of young tight ends who have already played a lot of downs. They can block, and they can catch the ball. Butler produced 29 receptions (fourth on the team) for 312 yards as a sophomore, and McBride – as a true freshman – hauled in seven passes, including a 48-yard touchdown against Florida.
In the pursuit of the offensive staff finding the best 11 players against the varied defensive schemes CSU will face, the duo wants to be considered to be among the chosen group. Jones likes such thinking, as well as the pursuit it requires.
So he reminds them – constantly – none of which will be given. It must be earned.
Daily.
"Here's the deal. I'll be frank with it. I have a good group," Jones said. "Talented guys who are good football players, who have played a lot of football here. But they're still young, too. Continue to develop the technique. With being young and having some experience, there's room to grow. I'm excited about that crew."
McBride is all for a two-tight end set. He's also prepared to go out and earn the right to be on the field. He doesn't want to be anywhere near average, nor does Butler. So they've done more than listened to Jones, they've taken his inspiration and put it into practice. Off the field, too, but on the field, definitely.
"Absolutely. Our whole group, I believe, is good enough to get on the field at all times," Butler said. "We get chances during the game, and it's whether or not we make those plays."
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