Bill Lynch hosted his kick-off to spring practice press conference on Monday. Here are some interesting things the man-in-charge said:
- Finally, Lynch and offensive coordinator Matt Canada will draw up a better running attach. At last, right? Look for Bryan Payton to get more carries this year. Marcus Thigpen only averaged 8 touches and Payton was just under 5 per game in 2008. The quarterback can't be the only one to prosper on offense.
- Having said that with the ground game, the offensive line is still fighting the injury bug. Lynch said offensive lineman Mike Stark's career is most likely over due to a long term back problem. Stark will be medically redshirted this year but Lynch came out and said he thinks Stark's football days are over. Alex Perry, who lined up at center and guard is battling a leg injury. Now- here's some optimisim on the line. Justin Pagan, a lineman, gained 105 pounds in his bench press. 5th year senior James Brewer will certainly get some more time. Roger Saffold improved his bench press over 100 pounds.
- Kellen Lewis to wide receiver. Yep, Lynch is going with his gut on this one. Lewis is more dynamic out in the open field, so look for him to line up out wide. Chappell most likely will be the quarterback but don't count out Lewis from taking some snaps too. Personally, I think the two work well together, and I'm okay with leaving Chappell in and designating Lewis to wide receiver.
- Defense will be a 4-3 formation like last year. Jammie Kirlew just had surgery over the break and will be nursing that injury. Will Patterson is banged up, but is expected to get some time in spring practice.May Mayberry will return as a linebacker with Patterson and Greg Middleton, who is making great strides with his revamped attitude and work ethic, will be on the opposite end of Kirlew.
- Ray Fisher moves from wide receiver to cornerback. Lynch says Fisher, who is a senior, will help get more experience into the secondary. Chris Adkins and Richard Council probably will be penciled in on the depth chart too.
- Lynch's 3 objectives for spring practice
1. See who are the top 50 players on the team.
2. Establish the running game.
3. Special Teams- no Austin Starr this year to kick field goals folks. Lynch said its an open competition at the place kicking spot. The Hoosiers recruited MItch Ewald from Illinois and Charlie Klingensmith, a former collegiate soccer player who's already on the team. Klingensmith will be punting this spring for Chris Hagerup who is nursing a bad ACL.
- Last year, one of the big problems was leadership. 2008's captains were Chris Phillips, Will Patterson and Marcus Thigpen. Now, I can tell you Patterson did an exceptional job at keeping the team in check. Remember, he was the one who came out and said some guys aren't giving it their all every down. I know Phillips and Thigpen were quiet guys around the media, but they might have been different in the locker room. Still, Lynch said the leadership wasn't the type a team needs to succeed. So- Lynch implemented a leadership council with 14 players, 9 seniors and 5 juniors, who meet with the coaches and amongst themselves to discuss anything and everything surroundering IU football. Lynch said this group met once a week during winter workouts and will probably meet more often as spring practice commences. My guess for 2009's captains - Jammie Kirlew, Will Patterson and Bryan Payton.
- Please understand this team is young, but they can't use that as an excuse this year. The IU football team has 18 seniors and 18 juniors on the squad. There is a lot of maturity, which might help during that three game stretch with Michigan, Ohio State and Virginia.
