A Basic Approach To Camp

Over the course of a season, there are things a defensive coordinator will like, some he won't. Freddie Banks was no different.

His mind was also littered with scenarios where his team performed well, feeling like it could have still been a bit better. That's what Colorado State's defense is out to cover during spring's 15 practices.

A lot of the old, a bit of the new.

"Everywhere you go, it's all about the details. With this group, it's understanding down and distance, situations and consistent execution," Banks said as spring camp enters the final week, culminating with Saturday's spring game at 1 p.m. "You have times every year you can look at every year and say, 'man, we could have executed better,' but I think we have a group that if we execute at a high level consistently, we'll be pretty good."

Experience is littered throughout the unit at all three levels. There are veterans along the line, at backer and in the secondary. Additionally, at each and every level, there are holes to fill.

Having veterans is a luxury. So are eager youngsters waiting to grab a bigger role, or even one for the first time. All of them are taking the same approach, which is basically from the start with a mix of advancing the thinking.

"A lot of guys are coming back, so it's really focusing on the little details which can push our game further. It's holding your job, looking at your job – you're one out of 11," defensive tackle Cam Bariteau said. "I think since I've been here, this is the best spring we've had. I think everybody is really focused on the little details of their job, noticing little things in each formation to make us better.

"It starts at the beginning, making sure your stance is right. Steps – no false steps. Make sure your eyes and keys are right for every play. If there's a certain set, you have it in in the back of your mind, this can come from here or this can happen."

Those who have grown long in the tooth in the defense, the spring path has been nice. It's never a terrible thing to go over the fundamentals, even better when you start thinking about how they impact the overall scheme.

It creates increased comfort, which in theory, produces faster reaction times and more plays being made. Recognizing a key for what it means and where the play leads. In turn, teaching the next wave assists returners in making their own personal improvements.

Seeing growth – yours or others – creates excitement in what some outsiders would consider a tedious task.

"I think it's been great. I think we've had a lot of young guys step up. My boy Buom Jock stepped into a big role, and going into the third year of the defense, we have a pretty good understanding of the scheme and what we need to do," returning linebacker Chase Wilson said. "It's refining those details and upholding the character traits we want – running, hitting, being really physical, flying around. Our coaches are giving us new stuff every day and how we can play things differently, but for the most part it's playing what we know and refining that.

"The little details are a matter of inches and wins and losses. We found that out in various games last year. Details allow you to win and lose. For me, it's always cleaning up the footwork, and we've made a big emphasis on that across the board in our room. It's how we keep our feet, making sure we have a base when we approach the line of scrimmage, not having two feet out of the ground at the same time so we can change direction. Those are things we're working on getting better at every day."

The fundamentals, the little details, however they are labeled, never go away. Even when the system feels like it's a comfortable T-shirt on a relaxed Sunday, it's the threads which keep it together.

Which Banks will never let them forget. He and his staff will teach them something new, something they'll need. That's part of his offseason, looking at the opponents the Rams will face and the adjustments those offenses will require.

They may be subtle to the naked eye, and they may not be needed for another five months, but they will be needed, and they will be covered. They will also require the foundational teachings to be done with precision.

"You remind them every day. We have a unit meeting on Wednesday, and we remind them what we're looking for, the strain we're looking for, how hard we play, consistent execution and attacking the ball is all a part of it," Banks said. "It doesn't just happen. We're professional reminders. Remind dudes over and over again. This is good right here. We like this; this is what we're looking for. This is not good and not what we're looking for. You celebrate even more when guys do it right and they communicate the right way."

As he has informed his group, do the basics correctly and consistently, there will be plenty to celebrate.

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