Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Report, Aug. 3
August 03, 2014 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State football team donned shoulder pads at practice for the first time Sunday morning, completing an approximately two-hour long session at the Sherman E. Smith Training Facility. OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer talked about practice and the Cowboys' first day in shoulder pads. His comments:
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On Sunday's practice
“First day with shoulder pads, so we had a chance to see how physical we are. There were times that I thought we did well and then there were times we just got to demand more out of them and expect more. They've got to see it on tape where they have a chance to deliver a blow or they have a chance to run through a tackle, and we just didn't finish good at times. We kept the big plays down today, which was an improvement; a lot of missed assignments. Fortunately, it was the younger guys more than the older guys, which is good.”
On getting to see the team in shoulder pads
“It's real football. The last time I checked it was a violent game, so to be able to teach blow delivery and tackle, that's the game. To be able to do that was huge, so it's good to get out of the pajamas.”
On the impact the defensive linemen who are coming off of a redshirt year
“We're counting on them. They've been on the scout team for a year. They've been in the weight room for a year and they were able to get a lot reps in the spring. A lot of those guys will be in the rotation and it's up to them from here until the opener to see how big a factor they're going to be. A lot of those guys, we're counting on them. That's why we redshirt them.”
On if the defensive newcomers have more of grasp than in previous years
“It's a wait and see. Until we see what practice looks like, and until we get in a scrimmage situation, you really don't know about those guys. Are we pleased with some of them physically? Yes. Do some of them need some work physically? Yes, but nobody's counting any of them out right now and nobody's definitely sitting there counting on them right now. That's going to be left to be seen in the next several practices.”
