March 2, 2008
Despite gusty winds and overcast skies, the Baylor football completed its second of 15 spring workouts Sunday afternoon on the grass practice fields at Floyd Casey Stadium.
"We've still got a ways to go, no doubt, but we can't doubt our effort or attitude," said Baylor head coach Art Briles. "Guys are really playing with a lot of emotion and energy. That gives you a chance to make a lot of good plays; you can't make a great play without great effort.
"We've got guys giving great effort," he added. "I thought the defense really moved around well and played with a lot of spunk. We'll keep growing offensively. All in all, it was a good practice."
Veteran practice observers have noticed that the Bears' first two workouts have been conducted at a quicker tempo than previous years and Briles has been pleased with the way his team has responded to the pace.
"They are keeping up," Briles said. "Actually, we weren't quite as quick today. We slowed it down just a little bit. We've got intelligent guys that are eager and hungry, and they are picking it up. It's gone well from that aspect of it."
The Bears will practice Tuesday and Thursday this week in full pads before taking off for spring break on the Baylor campus. Baylor's third and final practice in shorts is scheduled for April 4th, the day before drills end with Baylor's spring game.
"I like our football team, we just need to stay hungry like we are now and that's our job (as coaches) to keep them there," Briles said. "I like people that want to prove something. We are a team that needs to prove something, so I like that part of it."
Notes: Briles estimated that the Bears have installed 65 percent of their offense after the first two workouts with some checks and snap count changes ... Junior safety Jordan Lake and senior wide receiver Eddy Newton are recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and haven't practiced yet ... Baylor added a pair of walk-ons to the roster along the defensive line in junior college transfers Dexter Beck and Chris Susi ... All-told, Baylor has 96 players on the field for spring drills.
