Optimism Abounds At Eastern
No bold boasts or hollow predictions, but there was an air of optimism as football practice began at Eastern Washington University on Monday morning.
Third-year coach Mike Kramer put 83 players through drills, pointing toward the Sept. 7 season opener at Weber State and improvement on last year’s 3-8 record.
“We knew at the end of last season we’d be better,” Kramer said. “We’re excited; we had a year of growing older, but we also had a commitment to get better together.”
By the time injuries took their toll and young players had stepped in, the Eagles were able to say they had 10 starters returning on defense and eight on offense.
At the same time the young Eagles were being thrown into the fire, they were getting shellacked 63-44, 63-7 and 52-35 in their last three games.
“I definitely see some talent; I see how bad these guys wanted it (in the off-season),” junior linebacker Justin Guillory said. “We’ll be a lot more competitive. If someone goes down, it’s not as big a drop off as it was.
“Over the off-season we got a lot bigger. Last year we didn’t have much experience and we were kind of small in the butt. We have (experience) under our belts and because we’re bigger and stronger, that has helped our confidence.”
Weight on bodies takes some of the weight off Kramer’s shoulders.
“I’m excited about the fact we’re a lot stronger,” Kramer said. “(Lack of strength) was everything. It was the major reason we got too fatigued at the end and too overwhelmed on the defensive line.”
Guillory said, “This year we expect to be the ones pushing people around. The key is just the maturity. Last year, when things started to go bad, our heads got down. … Now that we’re more experienced players, we can keep the heads up. … Positive things happen to positive players.”
Last fall Guillory was one of those who went down after starting the first nine games. He still finished third on the team in tackles with 67.
“The knee is doing excellent. I’m a little rusty,” he said. “Overall, I feel really great. I feel fast, feel quick, feel strong. I’m ready go out and make things happen.”
By the end of the season, the offense was also struggling, giving up seven interceptions in the face of a strong pass rush. It didn’t help that standout freshman guard T.J. Ackerman was one of those to go down.
“I don’t see how we can’t be (better),” he said.
“It was real hard to watch the end of last season. A lot had to do with the kind of season we were having, but more than that it was the last chance to play with my brother.”
Tom Ackerman was a fifth-round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints. T.J. said he expects his brother to make it. He is currently a backup center.
T.J.’s knee is not an issue, to T.J, even though he is being kept out of afternoon practices for now.
“The knee feels great. It was me that wasn’t real good,” he said after the first practice. “It was kind of tough. It’s been since Oct. 12 since I last had live reps.”
Guillory added, “It just feels good to be back out on the field. I thank the Lord for another opportunity to be out there.”
But neither eager beaver was ready to make predictions.
“Just say,” Ackerman said, “we’re expecting good things.”
Quick kicks
Two-a-day practices continue through Aug. 29, concluding with a 7 p.m. scrimmage. The Eagles also scrimmage this Saturday at 3 p.m… . Three players didn’t appear for drills Monday, backup defensive ends Chance and Justin Koepke, twins from Republic, and long snapper/backup center Aaron White.
“Aaron White is one of the finest special team performers I’ve ever been around,” Kramer said. “He quit for personal reasons… . We were figuring the other day, in White’s two years he’s passed for 2,652 yards between his legs without an error. A lot of quarterbacks would be happy with those numbers.”
Starting center Kevin Peterson is the leading candidate to snap for place kicks. Redshirt freshman tight end Adam Keller is the expected snapped for punts. Lineman Aaron Best, a true freshman, is a candidate for both jobs, according to Kramer.
, DataTimes