Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Turn Corners on Thursday
10/15/2020 12:36:00 PM | Football, RamWire
Addazio tries to gain back some which was lost as New Mexico prep begins
Thursday was a day to turn corners.
Â
One led Colorado State where it should, straight into preparation for the season-opener with New Mexico at Canvas Stadium on Oct. 24. Another took them in a purely 2020 direction, trying to make up for something lost.
Â
But from here on out, it's all going to be about game day.
Â
"That was the transition, but we're done with that. Today was a 50/50 day," Addazio said after Thursday's practice. "It was New Mexico one, and we also closed out with CSU vs. CSU. It's a tender balancing act. We lost our 70-play scrimmage last Saturday, and then we were supposed to Wednesday have a big scrimmage, and we lost that. We didn't gain that back here today. We tried to, but we're missing so many players right now."
Â
Each turn was needed and held purpose for very distinct reasons, but for defensive lineman Manny Jones, the only route he sees is a direct line forward.
Â
Turn here or twist there, the idea is to keep improving – the ultimate goal. Whether that's against a scout team or 1s vs. 1s, the directive remains unchanged.
Â
"I mean, every day is another day to get better. That's how we look at it," Jones said. "It isn't anything different. We get different schemes, but at the end of the day, we're practicing at the full capacity to the best of our abilities.
Â
"As long as we do our job, we can do anything we can put our minds to. The mental scheme, we have to get that down, but I believe everybody has got that already. Once you get the mental part, the physical part just comes along."
Â
The scrimmage was scaled down to accommodate the numbers on the offensive line. Dirk Nelson, a true freshman who never played the position before camp, is taking every snap there. Gage Gaynor, another true freshman, is getting an ample amount of snaps.
Â
They aren't perfect – they are freshmen – but Addazio said they're both doing a heck of a job as they are immediately thrown into the fire.
Â
Starting Friday, Addazio said it will be all about New Mexico. The Rams have studied what first-year Lobos coach Danny Gonzales brings to the table from Arizona State defensively, as well as the 3-3-5 scheme with Rocky Long back in the fold as his defensive coordinator. Offensively, the Lobos will show a change, too.
Â
Now, the Rams have do what they do best which works optimally with those schemes in mind. To get to where he wants, Addazio will not make it entirely scout work. The team will do a lot of 1s vs. 2s on offense and defense, with the 2s serving as a scout look. That way, the top of the depth chart is getting more quality work.
Â
"That's what I talked about today was attention to detail. We came out here, it's learn the package, it's learn fundamentals, it's learn how to practice, it's learn about intensity," he said. "Now, in one week, you have to learn your opponent. On offense, they have to understand our opponent's system of defense and the details that go into that and the study that is required of the game plan, the tape-watching to learn their package. Both sides of the ball. I'm used to a high, high level of that, and right now, I feel like we have a ways to go with that."
Â
The introduction of New Mexico did make the day more interesting. After a spell, the players are used to seeing the defense and what it does, and both sides have a pretty good idea of what's coming their way. Now, throw in some scout work, and the mood changes a bit.
Â
"It's definitely way more exciting," running back Marcus McElroy said. "After you go against the defense for a certain amount of time, it gets monotonous. They pick up on everything we're doing and we pick up on everything they're doing. You get over it a little bit and you get excited to see something else come in and prepare for something else.
Â
"I think right now, as wacky as things are, as an offense we're at a point where we've established everything and getting to where we're at. There's still little details here and here you have to iron out in general. Once you start planning for another team, it sort of changes things. It's not the same as what we've been planning for, not the same defense we've been looking at. It changes your whole aspect of things."
Â
Â
One led Colorado State where it should, straight into preparation for the season-opener with New Mexico at Canvas Stadium on Oct. 24. Another took them in a purely 2020 direction, trying to make up for something lost.
Â
But from here on out, it's all going to be about game day.
Â
"That was the transition, but we're done with that. Today was a 50/50 day," Addazio said after Thursday's practice. "It was New Mexico one, and we also closed out with CSU vs. CSU. It's a tender balancing act. We lost our 70-play scrimmage last Saturday, and then we were supposed to Wednesday have a big scrimmage, and we lost that. We didn't gain that back here today. We tried to, but we're missing so many players right now."
Â
Each turn was needed and held purpose for very distinct reasons, but for defensive lineman Manny Jones, the only route he sees is a direct line forward.
Â
Turn here or twist there, the idea is to keep improving – the ultimate goal. Whether that's against a scout team or 1s vs. 1s, the directive remains unchanged.
Â
"I mean, every day is another day to get better. That's how we look at it," Jones said. "It isn't anything different. We get different schemes, but at the end of the day, we're practicing at the full capacity to the best of our abilities.
Â
"As long as we do our job, we can do anything we can put our minds to. The mental scheme, we have to get that down, but I believe everybody has got that already. Once you get the mental part, the physical part just comes along."
Â
The scrimmage was scaled down to accommodate the numbers on the offensive line. Dirk Nelson, a true freshman who never played the position before camp, is taking every snap there. Gage Gaynor, another true freshman, is getting an ample amount of snaps.
Â
They aren't perfect – they are freshmen – but Addazio said they're both doing a heck of a job as they are immediately thrown into the fire.
Â
Starting Friday, Addazio said it will be all about New Mexico. The Rams have studied what first-year Lobos coach Danny Gonzales brings to the table from Arizona State defensively, as well as the 3-3-5 scheme with Rocky Long back in the fold as his defensive coordinator. Offensively, the Lobos will show a change, too.
Â
Now, the Rams have do what they do best which works optimally with those schemes in mind. To get to where he wants, Addazio will not make it entirely scout work. The team will do a lot of 1s vs. 2s on offense and defense, with the 2s serving as a scout look. That way, the top of the depth chart is getting more quality work.
Â
"That's what I talked about today was attention to detail. We came out here, it's learn the package, it's learn fundamentals, it's learn how to practice, it's learn about intensity," he said. "Now, in one week, you have to learn your opponent. On offense, they have to understand our opponent's system of defense and the details that go into that and the study that is required of the game plan, the tape-watching to learn their package. Both sides of the ball. I'm used to a high, high level of that, and right now, I feel like we have a ways to go with that."
Â
The introduction of New Mexico did make the day more interesting. After a spell, the players are used to seeing the defense and what it does, and both sides have a pretty good idea of what's coming their way. Now, throw in some scout work, and the mood changes a bit.
Â
"It's definitely way more exciting," running back Marcus McElroy said. "After you go against the defense for a certain amount of time, it gets monotonous. They pick up on everything we're doing and we pick up on everything they're doing. You get over it a little bit and you get excited to see something else come in and prepare for something else.
Â
"I think right now, as wacky as things are, as an offense we're at a point where we've established everything and getting to where we're at. There's still little details here and here you have to iron out in general. Once you start planning for another team, it sort of changes things. It's not the same as what we've been planning for, not the same defense we've been looking at. It changes your whole aspect of things."
Â
Players Mentioned
Inside the Offensive Linemen Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Thursday, May 14
Inside The Tight End Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Monday, May 11
Inside the Quarterback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Friday, May 08
Inside the Nickelback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Monday, April 27