Football Bulldogs Hit Practice Field, Return To Work
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Head football coach Sylvester Croom put the 2008 version of his Mississippi State Bulldogs through a grueling three-hour workout on Monday to begin the spring practice period.
“It was good to be back out there,” Croom said. “Our defense ran around and had enthusiasm.”
The head coach singled out several players for quality practice work on the first day, despite being limited to headgear and shorts. First on his list of recognition were linebacker-turned-fullback Devon Edwards and safety-now-tailback Wade Bonner, both going through their first extended work at new positions.
Croom then focused his praise on several returning players, including wide receivers Co-Eric Riley, Brandon McRae and Jamayel Smith, running back Robert Elliott and linebacker Jamie Jones.
But the underlying theme of the team periods was an inability to complete the quarterback-center exchange.
“We didn’t get the snap back to the QB,” Croom said. “If we can’t get the QB-center exchange, we can’t do anything.”
The Bulldog signal-callers and snappers remained on the practice field well after the rest of the team had been dismissed to correct the issue before the team returns to the field on Tuesday.
The practice-heavy first week of drills continues in shorts and helmets only for both Tuesday and Thursday workouts before the Bulldogs don shoulder pads on Friday. Saturday’s practice will be the first in full gear.