Post by CrimsonPhantom on Aug 17, 2012 11:56:04 GMT -7
NMSU strives to stay focused during summer’s ‘dog days’
By Jim Hilley
Las Cruces Bulletin
With fall football practice entering the “dog days of summer,” New Mexico State University coach DeWayne Walker said it is important to keep his team focused and their “eyes on the prize.”
“We try to be positive and a have lot of team building meetings,” Walker said Wednesday, Aug. 15. “We remind the guys they are doing this for a reason, and the reason is to be ready on Aug. 30 and the games that will follow.”
Walker said coaches are getting a feel for what the team’s strengths and weakness will be this season.
“I think things are coming along pretty good, but you never know until you actually line up and play that first game. The guys are working hard, and the coaches are seeing a lot of good things and things that aren’t so good. We are getting them corrected, and we are taking it one day at a time,” Walker said.
The fourth-year Aggie coach said he is excited about having quarterback Andrew Manley back out on the field, but he is not expecting any miracles.
“He’s been good at times, and at other times he has to get coached up like everybody else,” Walker said. “He’s definitely good to have out there.”
Meshing with the receivers will be key to Manley’s season, and Walker said the passing offense has had some good days. Earlier in the week Walker said the Aggies’ passing attack may be better than last season.
“Like anything else in training camp, some days are really good. Other days you have to put it past and make your corrections and move on to the next day,” Walker said.
“I think (Kemonte) Bateman and (Austin) Franklin and some of the other receivers have had some good days as well.”
While Walker has said he would like to redshirt sophomore quarterback Travaughn Colwell, it is too early in the season to determine if it will work out that way.
“We are just going to get through camp and kind of see where we end up week in and week out,” Walker said. “That will kind of take care of itself.”
With defensive lineman Donte Savage back after losing a year due to academics, and Alexander LaVoy moved to the defensive end position, Walker said the Aggies will be stronger up front on defense.
“We are definitely more athletic with those two guys at end,” he said. “(linebacker) Trashaun Nixon brings some athleticism, (strong safety) George Callender does also. We feel like we are definitely bigger and more athletic on defense.
“I think we have more depth at the tackle position,” Walker said. “I really feel like we’ve kind of beefed up the middle of our defense.”
Walker has several Las Cruces players on his roster, and they will get an opportunity to compete for the Aggies this season.
“We’ll know more about that as the season progresses, but these kids are working hard like anybody else, and everybody’s going to get an opportunity. We are evaluating these guys through camp to see who our best players are.”