Yvette Michelle Crabtree Davis
April 7, 2008
Cecile D. St. Amant
April 9, 2008
After four months of silence, the sound of helmets crackling and shoulder pads pounding echoed through John L. Guidry Stadium Saturday morning.
Players released pent-up aggression on blocking sleds and occasionally each other.
It was the first contact drills of Nicholls State football spring practice. The electrified session ended with two scrimmages between the offensive and defensive squads.
“Everybody’s feeling real good,” said head coach Jay Thomas. “All that built up emotion and intensity, and the first day you come out here, it’s like a bunch of bottle rockets going off at the same time.”
Most of the time, the offense worked on its spread option schemes, while the defense focused on the 4-3 formation. The special teams did basic punt and blocking alignments.
Despite losing All-American and Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year Kareem Moore and two other starters, Thomas was most impressed by the secondary in practice.
“They moved around really well and were physical,” he said.
The unit will be led by fellow All-American and last year’s Newcomer of the Year, LaDarius Webb. The junior defensive back led the SLC with five interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. He also became the first SLC player ever to be named player of the week on offense, defense and special teams.
Thomas looked less favorably on the three fights that erupted during practice.
Colonels’ fans can expect some new looks to the offense next season but Thomas won’t go into details.
“We don’t want to let that cat out the bag just yet,” he said. “Spring practice is a time to experiment with new ideas. The passing game has always been something we’re experimenting with.”
The biggest worry for the Colonels is at running back where five seniors need to be replaced.
“We have a bunch of talented guys, but they’re newcomers and have some big shoes to fill in the backfield,” Thomas said.
The start of spring practice was delayed three days as Nicholls hired new running backs coach Johnny Tart last Tuesday. Last season, Tart coached the offensive line at Bellhaven College (Mississippi).
Before that, he coached the running backs at Pearl River Community College (Mississippi) for three years.
Seven mid-year transfers were at practice, which pleased Thomas.
“Its good to get them out here learning the fundamentals now instead of in August where they would have to try to learn everything in two weeks,” he said.
The Spring Game has been rescheduled for Thursday April 25 at 7 p.m.
The Colonels began practicing in helmets and pads on Saturday. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
