Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Get Right Down to Business
8/7/2024 3:16:00 PM | Football
Team scrimmages on first day of full pads
Jay Norvell didn't see any reason to wait.
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Wednesday was the first day of full pads for his Colorado State squad in fall camp, and its also marked the day of the first scrimmage.
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"It was a product of the new rules. Im a little different than a lot of people; I go straight through the first two weeks, so we get six straight practices in," Norvell said. "Typically, people scrimmage on Saturdays, but because we started on Thursday, we got our scrimmage in today. If anybody gets nicked, we have more time to get them healthy before we play our opener.
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"We'll have physical practices this week. We probably won't scrimmage, so I just want to get us to the season and get there healthy."
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Originally scheduled to last about an hour, the Rams were on the field for twice as long as Norvell. He needed to see some basics (blocking and tackling, young running backs hitting holes and taking blows), but additionally they needed to take their time to get through game situations correctly – multiple – while also addressing some rule changes this year. Best to do it right and provide a clear, concise lesson.
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With 40 recent additions to the roster, there was a plethora of new to see. Transfers learning how to adapt to the CSU systems, freshmen adapting to the college game. The day was a mix of curiosity and affirmation to some degree, though certain veterans where held out to avoid harm's way.
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Tory Horton saw no time. Neither did Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi or Kobe Johnson (minor injuries which don't need to be aggravated). Jacob Gardner saw very limited snaps.
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"It was fun. I'm an old guy now, so seeing all the young guys run around and have fun and celebrate was fun," defensive tackle Cam Bariteau said. "It was a hot one, but we saw what some people are made of, so it was fun.
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"We have some older guys who came in looking to fill spots. They're just working on technique, it's new for them, they were in a different system. The young guys, you just look for them to take one little thing from the meeting room every day, use their technique and do that that much better that day."
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Hitting was on the agenda; the biggest blow being delivered in the opposite way one might expect. It came from tight end Vince Brown, who trucked a teammate after catching a short pass, then rambled another 15 yards into the end zone.
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For a guy trying to slide into a vacated role, it was the type of message he wanted to send.
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"Oh yeah, for sure. We're going to be talking about that all summer camp," Brown said. "I'm glad I did it so the coaches can see I can make those plays. It's all fun and games at the end of the day."
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Dallin Holker left a big hole when he departed early for the NFL Draft, which was motivation enough for Brown. Then he picked up more as his world is about to expand around the bye week.
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All the timing seems perfect for a player who had previously been a big wideout but came to the program to play tight end. A year later, he's bigger, stronger and feels like a tight end.
Â
"Once I got the news Dallin left in the offseason, it clicked. OK, this spot could finally be mine and I have something to work for," he said. "Also, my fiancé is eight months pregnant with our daughter, so coming into the offseason, I have a different chip on my shoulder I've never felt ever in my life as a football player. From spring ball to now, I have so much confidence of what to do in this offense, how to be productive and feel if the coaches give me the chance, I'll be productive."
Â
The day was a bit longer than some might have expected, but it will be followed by the first break for the team in camp. For Norvell, it provided the perfect convergence of factors to be detailed across the board.
Â
There's no time like the present when there's plenty of time for rest later.
Â
"I wanted to get some work. We've got nowhere to go," Norvell said. "School's not in right now, so we just wanted to take our time and get our work done. I was very pleased."
Â
Â
Wednesday was the first day of full pads for his Colorado State squad in fall camp, and its also marked the day of the first scrimmage.
Â
"It was a product of the new rules. Im a little different than a lot of people; I go straight through the first two weeks, so we get six straight practices in," Norvell said. "Typically, people scrimmage on Saturdays, but because we started on Thursday, we got our scrimmage in today. If anybody gets nicked, we have more time to get them healthy before we play our opener.
Â
"We'll have physical practices this week. We probably won't scrimmage, so I just want to get us to the season and get there healthy."
Â
Originally scheduled to last about an hour, the Rams were on the field for twice as long as Norvell. He needed to see some basics (blocking and tackling, young running backs hitting holes and taking blows), but additionally they needed to take their time to get through game situations correctly – multiple – while also addressing some rule changes this year. Best to do it right and provide a clear, concise lesson.
Â
With 40 recent additions to the roster, there was a plethora of new to see. Transfers learning how to adapt to the CSU systems, freshmen adapting to the college game. The day was a mix of curiosity and affirmation to some degree, though certain veterans where held out to avoid harm's way.
Â
Tory Horton saw no time. Neither did Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi or Kobe Johnson (minor injuries which don't need to be aggravated). Jacob Gardner saw very limited snaps.
Â
"It was fun. I'm an old guy now, so seeing all the young guys run around and have fun and celebrate was fun," defensive tackle Cam Bariteau said. "It was a hot one, but we saw what some people are made of, so it was fun.
Â
"We have some older guys who came in looking to fill spots. They're just working on technique, it's new for them, they were in a different system. The young guys, you just look for them to take one little thing from the meeting room every day, use their technique and do that that much better that day."
Â
Hitting was on the agenda; the biggest blow being delivered in the opposite way one might expect. It came from tight end Vince Brown, who trucked a teammate after catching a short pass, then rambled another 15 yards into the end zone.
Â
For a guy trying to slide into a vacated role, it was the type of message he wanted to send.
Â
"Oh yeah, for sure. We're going to be talking about that all summer camp," Brown said. "I'm glad I did it so the coaches can see I can make those plays. It's all fun and games at the end of the day."
Â
Dallin Holker left a big hole when he departed early for the NFL Draft, which was motivation enough for Brown. Then he picked up more as his world is about to expand around the bye week.
Â
All the timing seems perfect for a player who had previously been a big wideout but came to the program to play tight end. A year later, he's bigger, stronger and feels like a tight end.
Â
"Once I got the news Dallin left in the offseason, it clicked. OK, this spot could finally be mine and I have something to work for," he said. "Also, my fiancé is eight months pregnant with our daughter, so coming into the offseason, I have a different chip on my shoulder I've never felt ever in my life as a football player. From spring ball to now, I have so much confidence of what to do in this offense, how to be productive and feel if the coaches give me the chance, I'll be productive."
Â
The day was a bit longer than some might have expected, but it will be followed by the first break for the team in camp. For Norvell, it provided the perfect convergence of factors to be detailed across the board.
Â
There's no time like the present when there's plenty of time for rest later.
Â
"I wanted to get some work. We've got nowhere to go," Norvell said. "School's not in right now, so we just wanted to take our time and get our work done. I was very pleased."
Â
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
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