Spring Approach Tried and True, but With Twists

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – To Jack Howell, this time of year takes him back to his roots in the sport. When it was innocent and the game of football held so many possibilities

"Spring ball is so fun because it's just football. It feels like you're playing backyard football with your friends again," Colorado State's all-conference safety said. "It's a lot more laid back, but it's time to improve on your skills individually, get a basis of the team and forming the bond for the season."

Laid back? To a degree. There is no opponent to prepare for, just a roster to improve and each individual plays a role. And unlike those pick-up games of old, there is a direction. For Howell, namely defensive coordinator Freddie Banks behind him, reminding the junior of every little nuance he may be overlooking to make him a more productive player.

That has to be different.

Or not.

""I had a John Howell, so, pretty similar," said Howell, with a laugh, referring to his all-conference father. "Nah, Coach Banks, it doesn't matter what you do, he's always going to be on you. That's what I love: He never lets you slack off and he's a really good coach. We all have room to improve and grow, and I'm not exempt from that at all. I still have a lot of stuff I need to work on, and I'm excited to perfect those things."

Colorado State opens up spring camp Saturday, the annual rite of 15 practices set out each year aimed to move a team forward. Practices the first two weeks run Monday, Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 8 a.m.; Saturday's at 9 a.m.; all are open to the public. The final two weeks are limited to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, concluding with the April 22 Spring Game (time to be determined).

Like everything about the season, the camp is filled with hope and promise, but it also takes the coaches back to their roots, too.

The basics of spring football camp are the same across the country. There are variables depending on the makeup of the returning team, but the core focus remains unchanged, through time.

"Different teams have different emphasises, but spring practice is spring practice. It's a really important time of our year to set the foundation for our football," said head coach Jay Norvell, heading into his second such camp with the program. "For coaches, it's really the best time of year because we go back to the very core and basics of what we do and why we do it and really teach. It's the best teaching time we have all year.

"We just came out being in the meeting rooms for about a month and a half and examining areas where we have to improve as a team – personnel, fundamentals, technique, scheme and understanding. We've really emphasized that with our kids the past month when they're reviewing tape. Now we want to go out on the field and really work to improve the areas where we have to get better."

Howell has been through a few of these, but unlike the previous two, he won't be spending his time learning a new defense. The fresh change is trying to perfect the scheme the Rams played last year, one where the side of the ball saw marked improvement over the start.

But he does have things he wants to work out, elements of the scheme where he wants to perform better, individual techniques he wants to improve. In that regard, camp is no different for him than say a Jordan Williams, a freshman tight end entering his first.

"I learned from last year, and I need to take it into practice this year and get better. I need to work harder and perfect my craft," he said. "It's getting stronger, getting faster and working on my releases and stuff like that. It's all going to have a big impact on my game. Also knowing the ins and outs of the defense and my offense, where everybody is and being a leader on the field."

There is new to camp. A handful of walk-ons, but most notably the addition of 11 transfers and three true freshman who cut their high school experience early to get a head start. They all have to learn the way Norvell runs a program, what the team does offensively and defensively, as well as find their niche on special teams.

The Rams also have their points of emphasis, primarily the rebuild of the offensive line and improving the overall depth and competition across the board. Not all of that can be accomplished in the spring, not with more than 20 new players arriving this summer, but they can get a jump.

New is also Clay Nanke moving to tight end and Taivis Tuioti becoming an offensive linemen, both switching from defensive line, the one place Norvell feels settled with depth and experience. What Norvell isn't spending too much time with is where his team is at in terms of buy in.

Last season's roster chaos led to some trying moments, but by the end of the season, the players who remained gained and built a bond. It carried over into winter workouts, where Norvell also sees change – in how the Rams look physically and how they attack each day.

"I think we've seen a significant change in winter training. (Head strength and speed coach) Jordon Simmons has done a great job making those guys accountable every day. We're seeing an incredible focus," Norvell said. "The other thing we're seeing is a great appreciation. We have guys who are really appreciative of being here and their opportunity to play football at CSU, and that's important. I really like our focus. I like the way this team works; there's not a lot of drama to them. When you have a focused group that works hard every day, you're going to see improvement."

To the players, it's the target they craved to reach, as well as the launching point for moving forward.

A lot of questions which were being tossed around as a group and internally to themselves are now off the table. A clear mind is freer to obtain new information, even refresh old lessons.

"Most definitely. Just the fact we know who's in and who's out this year," Howell said. "Last year was kind of a big surprise when we had 20 guys transfer away. Just knowing that we're a team this year and having a year of experience under our belts is a big difference."

Not a lot of what happened in a 3-9 season was what the Rams expected. Not the losing. Not the roster turnover. None of them expected to lead the nation in sacks allowed. Injuries are part of the game, but they hit the Rams in places where depth wasn't built.

The byproduct was a series of lineup changes, a quicker youth movement and a lack of continuity. The work this spring can help alleviate some of those concerns. It can create a base from where the fall can carry even more intent.

For the whole.

"We have a family bond, and that's the most important thing," Williams said. "If you can trust one another on the field, you can trust each other on the outside. You can build a great culture.

"It's very important. It's setting a tone to get ready for the season and my teammates ready for the season. I'm just looking forward to having a winning season next year."

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