Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coach Adkins Talks About the First Spring Practice in Pads
March 22, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team held its fourth practice of the spring Tuesday at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. The Cowboys wore full pads for the first time this spring and practiced for approximately two hours. At the conclusion of the session, offensive line coach Greg Adkins talked about the practice and the Cowboy offensive line. His comments:
On how practice went:
"Actually, not very good to be honest with you. It was the first day in pads and coming off spring break; I thought we were a little lethargic. I thought our first three practices we were sharp and crisp and moving around. I thought today with the pads coming on we lost some technique up front; eyes not being in the right spot. We need to improve from day one to day two in pads like I thought we did last week when we were in no pads."
On the difference between this year and his first year last season:
"What I said last year about this time was they were still trying to get used to me and I was still trying to get used to them. We've been through a full season and we have basically everybody back. Larry Williams is a new guy with us in the spring so he's the only new body in the room. I think the critical point is that they understand what I'm trying to teach. I think we're ahead from that standpoint in terms of the learning curve."
On how the offensive line has developed:
"I think the thing that happened last year was it was a trial by tribulation as the season was going on. What exactly were we going to be? Are we going to throw the ball a little bit more? Are we going to run inside zone or outside zone? I don't think we ever got real good at anything running the football last year. This spring we've focused in and narrowed our focus down in the running game and then obviously from a protection standpoint."
On Larry Williams and Marcus Keyes:
"For Larry, being here basically four practices, he's where a lot of these guys were at this point last year. Fundamentally and technique-wise he's got a ways to go. He certainly has a gifted skillset that we have to develop and harness. He's learning a new language as we go. I thought Marcus Keyes has done some really nice things. Again, he's been in the program for a year. He's heard my voice in the meetings for a year, so I think he's further along when it comes to that process. I think Larry's situation is one that we've got to continue to harp on all the little things because he doesn't know anything, so every day is a learning curve for him, but I like his attitude and I like where he's at."
On how practice went:
"Actually, not very good to be honest with you. It was the first day in pads and coming off spring break; I thought we were a little lethargic. I thought our first three practices we were sharp and crisp and moving around. I thought today with the pads coming on we lost some technique up front; eyes not being in the right spot. We need to improve from day one to day two in pads like I thought we did last week when we were in no pads."
On the difference between this year and his first year last season:
"What I said last year about this time was they were still trying to get used to me and I was still trying to get used to them. We've been through a full season and we have basically everybody back. Larry Williams is a new guy with us in the spring so he's the only new body in the room. I think the critical point is that they understand what I'm trying to teach. I think we're ahead from that standpoint in terms of the learning curve."
On how the offensive line has developed:
"I think the thing that happened last year was it was a trial by tribulation as the season was going on. What exactly were we going to be? Are we going to throw the ball a little bit more? Are we going to run inside zone or outside zone? I don't think we ever got real good at anything running the football last year. This spring we've focused in and narrowed our focus down in the running game and then obviously from a protection standpoint."
On Larry Williams and Marcus Keyes:
"For Larry, being here basically four practices, he's where a lot of these guys were at this point last year. Fundamentally and technique-wise he's got a ways to go. He certainly has a gifted skillset that we have to develop and harness. He's learning a new language as we go. I thought Marcus Keyes has done some really nice things. Again, he's been in the program for a year. He's heard my voice in the meetings for a year, so I think he's further along when it comes to that process. I think Larry's situation is one that we've got to continue to harp on all the little things because he doesn't know anything, so every day is a learning curve for him, but I like his attitude and I like where he's at."
Players Mentioned
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