Eagles adapt well to changes

Eastern Washington’s football team reached the midpoint of spring practice with everyone pleased and no one satisfied.

“Obviously, with a new offensive coordinator and a couple changes on the coaching staff, there’s some adjusting but I think for the most part it’s coming together really well,” veteran offensive guard Matt Alfred said Monday afternoon. “I’m really excited. We’ve had a solid two weeks but we have a long ways to go.”

Alfred, a captain last year, was speaking for the offense but he has also noticed improvement in the defense, as has veteran cornerback Ira Jarmon.

“The defense looks real good,” Jarmon said. “We’re coming together; we’re a family more than ever.”

The good news is that head coach Paul Wulff agrees.

“I’m pleased with the progress, particularly on defense,” he said. “We’ve kept things simple and you can see them getting better.”

The next public display is a scrimmage Saturday at Woodward Field. Warmups start at 9 a.m. and the scrimmage should begin about 10. Spring practice concludes with the Red-White game a week later.

The offense is looking for playmakers for offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy’s new system and the pressure is on the quarterbacks.

“Alex Smart has made tremendous strides, along with (starter) Matt Nichols,” Wulff said. “Both of those quarterbacks are doing a nice job, working to get better. We’ve really challenged them because we’re doing things different.”

He also pointed out two backup linemen who have progressed, Chris Thomas and John Rice, and playmaking receivers Tony Davis and Aaron Boyce.

A focus on the line is getting players to learn multiple positions so there is a lot of changing around.

“We’ve pretty much simplified a lot of things on the line,” Alfred said. “We’re trying not to do too much. It’s pretty much … a matter of executing.”

Not that there aren’t some concerns, especially with just running backs Toke Kefu and Jesse Hoffman available for most of practice once A.J. Jimmerson banged a thumb.

“We need more consistent play at running back,” Wulff said, “and more consistency catching the ball.”

Defenders catching Wulff’s eye have been end Greg Peach, safeties Bryan Jarrett and walk-on Kevin Hatch, who just converted from cornerback, and Adam Macomber, who is playing opposite Jarmon.

Of course, ask him later and more names jump to mind.

His concern is because Makai Borden, the only player with multiple starts, has been banged up and there is little experience behind Marcus Walker and Jared Kuhl.

Of all those defenders, Jarrett, Kuhl and Jarmon are the only seniors.

“They keep me feeling young,” Jarmon joked about the young defenders. “A lot of them have played before. Like coach Wulff told us, ‘If you played last year, being young is no longer an excuse.’ We’ve simplified a lot of things, we’re trying not to do too much. I’ve made a couple of mistakes because I tried to do too much.”

Quick kicks

Though Robert Pearson injured a knee in the last scrimmage and is awaiting an MRI, the Eagles have remained healthy for the spring, with just a few minor injuries. … Reserve running back C.J. Taylor sprained his left ankle after the game. … Kefu and safety Brady Smith suffered bruises in the scrimmage but were back for practice, as was defensive tackle Shawn Powell, who hurt an elbow. … Borden, who sat out with a sore neck, was back at practice. … Redshirt freshman cornerback Will Edge has moved to safety. … Former all-league cornerback Jesse Hendrix watched practice, reporting he has accepted a contract from the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.