Today's articles on ISU football from the Journal ...
What the Bengals learned from Monday’s scrimmage
Screaming toward progress: ISU receivers coach Sheldon Cross doesn’t yell because he’s angry — it’s just what he does
Early observation from day 8:
Injuries to some important guys are piling up. Starters KW Williams, Wesley Wingrove, Cody Sorensen, Josh Cook and Brandon Golden did not practice on Tuesday. Golden hasn't practiced in about a week. The other four are all going through various bumps and bruises they suffered during Monday's scrimmage or Tuesday morning's practice.
Idaho State does not comment on injuries, but Kramer seemed unconcerned that a number of his top-line guys are down.
“It’s good because it gives us a chance to coach the young ones," Kramer said. "The older guys have had enough reps. They know what they’re doing. We’re a just a little leg weary — camp legs. We’re fine. I wouldn’t mind if Josh Cook doesn’t go back on the field until about Aug. 22. ... No, we’re good. We have great depth. The coach’s have done a nice job of adjusting and making some things happen."
But the tight end situation has to be a bit of a concern. With Cook out and Tyler Wright still unavailable with a wrapped up hand, junior Tyler Graves is pressed into a starting role. ISU doesn't have the depth at tight end (really, not many teams do) that it can suffer injuries to its top two guys and not feel some effect.
At this point, though, it's not too much of a concern because Cook should be fine by the first game.
Quotable quote from Mike Kramer on his offensive line and how he likes to have his guys on the O-line rotate through positions.
(For reference, Tuesday, Skyler Phillips, who has been playing at right tackle, was at right guard, and right guard Terrence Carey played at right tackle.)
"We like to have all five guys play each position and Terrence hasn’t hardly played any tackle since he’s been here," Kramer said. "Where as Skyler started left guard last year and could play right guard just as easy. Skyler just hasn’t played center. So we need to play Skyler at center.”
Common to move guys around on the O-line?
“Not for any other team but us. We love the flexibility. They don’t get bored," Kramer said. "You get bored always having to step as a right guard, always playing left guard. No, our guys learn how to play all five positions. It gives us flexibility when situations happen during the season. Guys get banged up, guys get injured, guys don’t play well — we can move guys. So we have our core guys, we know where they’re going to play. We’re just not telling them.”
“It’s something we’ve always done when we’re experienced," Kramer continued. "It’s a sign that we’re mature and experienced when we can move our starters around like this. Sometimes we do it just for the fun of it.”
How long have you done that?
“Since I was an offensive line coach in 1991. ... When I was coaching at Eastern Washington, we had such a veteran offensive line those guys were completely bored by practice. So I said, 'Great you play center, you play guard, you play tackle.' And it was fun. I’ve done it ever since. Whenever we got our offensive line to a point where they are experienced enough to do it we did it just for the fun of it.”
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