Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Friday Practice Report
March 25, 2011 | Cowboy Football
March 25, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Oklahoma State football team took to the practice fields adjacent to Gallagher-Iba Arena suited up in full pads in clear and comfortable weather conditions Friday.
Linebackers coach and newly-minted co-defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer gave his insights on the Cowboy linebackers.
"Guys are trying to figure on the system a little bit. We're counting on them maturing and getting more physical each and every day," Spencer said. "They're playing a little bit mechanical right now because they're just learning what it takes to understand and play fast, but you see them getting better every day and evolving a little bit to playing more natural."
With first-team all-Big 12 performer Orie Lemon and fellow starter Justin Gent both graduated, linebacker is among the most intriguing positions to watch this spring.
"Individually, there is some great competition inside at the Mike linebacker with Caleb Lavey and Tyler Johnson. The Will linebacker with LeRon Furr, Kris Catlin and Chris Dinkins has some great competition as well. Right now, you can roll any of those guys out and it's kind of close. They're learning that they need to compete every day to earn some playing time."
With competition alive and well among the linebackers, Spencer outlined what he is looking for from the group out of the spring.
"My goals stay the same every spring and every fall. There has to be a level of toughness. To be a tough football player, you have to play when you're in pain. You have to play when you're fatigued. You have to play in times of stress and be accountable to your teammates in knowing what to do and doing it as fast as you can every snap," Spencer said. "Having a great attitude and learning how to finish on the field - finish a tackle, finish a practice, finish a drill. All those things are fundamental, but they are the basis of being a good football player, especially on our side of the ball."
Spencer said that he takes extra joy in coaching during the spring because it is true coaching without some of the extra distractions that come during the course of the season.
"You're not having to prepare for games, you're preparing to win the next drill. There are accomplishments there and if people take steps, then you're pleased," Spencer said. "It's pure coaching right now. You don't have a lot of the distractions of a game week around. It's just ball and finding out who likes to play ball. We're finding out right now who really likes to play football. They're eager. I love meeting with these guys and seeing those young eyes looking at me like `Feed me. Take me somewhere that I don't know.' That's encouraging as a coach when they have that kind of attitude."
