Leach Likes Tempo and Execution
March 22, 2000 | Football
March 22, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas - Even though the second day of spring drills at Texas Tech had to be moved to the indoor practice facility due to steady rains, head coach Mike Leach liked what he saw from his first Red Raider team.
"The tempo was really good and the execution was sharp," Leach said. "I thought we were a lot more crisp than Tuesday.
"Some of that is due to the fact that we have another day in and some of it is because we weren't having to wipe hail from our eyes and the footballs were playing at an official size and weight," Leach said, referring to Tuesday's practice in a hail and thunder storm which made footing treacherous and footballs heavy and slippery.
Due to limited space in the Athletic Training Center the first part of the practice was divided into segments. The defense worked for about 45 minutes in the ATC while the offense met and studied film. The two groups then changed places for the next 45 minutes.
Following those position fundamental groups the whole team assembled for about an hour to work on special teams, pass skeleton and protection, as well as some one-on-one drills pitting receivers and defensive backs. The practice ended with a team period of offense vs. defense schemes.
"We will take Thursday off," Leach said. "We will get into the film and the players will have a chance to get their legs under them for Friday."
The Red Raiders are scheduled to practice in full gear for the first time this spring on Friday. Saturday's workout will also be in full gear and will have one segment of controlled scrimmaging.
From a personnel standpoint, a couple of players are working at new positions. Reserve quarterback Jamaal Crisp has moved to defensive back and fullback Toby Shain has switched to linebacker.
Position changes aren't the only changes taking place this spring, however. Defensive end Aaron Hunt has traded in his jersey number 98 for number 9, while cornerback Antwan Alexander has switched from 30 to 1.