Army Gridders Enjoy Another Strong Spring Session

Head coach Bobby Ross Lauds His Team's Efficiency; Credits Experience Level
March 29, 2006

With eight starters returning on both offensive and defensive sides of the line of scrimmage, Army brought a veteran football team to the opening of this year's spring drills, and that experience level is already paying dividends for head coach Bobby Ross's Black Knights.
Ross put his charges through their second consecutive day of workouts Wednesday as the veteran grid boss opened his third spring at the helm of the Army football program. As was the case Tuesday, sunny skies and welcomed warmer temperatures enveloped Michie Stadium Wednesday during the Black Knights' two-hour session.
At the conclusion of Wednesday's workout, the second of his squad's 15 practice sessions, Ross lauded the Black Knights' progress over the spring's opening two days. And he cited the outstanding weather as a contributing factor.
"It's been beautiful. We've had two beautiful days, which allows us to get out here and get our work done. The weather has been a positive, and the first two days have been a positive," Ross said. "We've had a few things that weren't positive, but that's always going to happen. But if we keep working, and we keep hanging together as a football team, we'll be okay.
"We are making good progress. We are doing a much better job with the little things right now, on both sides of the ball. That is because of our experience," Ross added. "We are still young in a few places. Corner (back) is a big concern. We are evaluating that every day. Obviously quarterback is another area, and running back is another. Defensive tackle, where we lost three guys at one position, is another area also.
"There is still work to be done, but the first two days this week have been the best first two days we've had since I've been here. It's because of their background in what we are doing."
Two units that boast a vast amount of experience are the offensive and defensive lines. Three starters return along the four-man defensive front--DE Cameron Craig, DE Brandon Thompson and DT Tony Fusco--while four starters on the offensive line are back in spring drills--OG Matt Weisner, OG Dan Evans, OT Jonathan Connon and OT Ray Zelenak.


"Some of the areas where we've made the biggest progress are our up-front people. We are doing things a lot better now than we were last year at this time. It is obvious to me that we are a little stronger. We've put on a little weight, but more than anything we've added strength. That's been a big thing.
"We are more aware of things. The experience is helping us a lot. The things they are seeing now are things that have seen before and have experience with. That's been one of the significant things. Now, though, things will start to separate a bit because we will put on the pads on Friday. That will tell us a lot more."