Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Newcomers Open Preseason Drills
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 4, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State fourth-year head football coach Nick Saban sent 32 first-year players through two two-hour workouts in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets Tuesday to open preseason camp.
Despite steady rain, the Spartans spent the morning session outside on the grass practice fields behind the Duffy Daugherty Building, but sloppy field conditions forced the team indoors for the afternoon workout.
"I'm quite pleased with this group as a whole," Saban said. "There are a number of talented skill position players in this class, who are going to be able to help us down the road.
"Both quarterbacks, Ryan Van Dyke and Arron Agler, threw the ball well today. We're throwing a lot of material at those guys, but they're going a good job picking up the system.
"The young running backs certainly have a future here and the receivers have a lot of skill. The defensive backs made several good plays and a couple of linebackers caught my attention."
An issue Coach Saban has to address each August when first-year players report is conditioning.
"These guys are beginning to realize the importance of conditioning," he said. "This is a typical problem for young players. Some of these guys have a difficult time handing the intensity level of practice and thus, find it had to maintain the tempo. Fortunately, there are six-to-eight players who have the maturity and mental toughness to help the others through."
The newcomers have a scheduled day off Wednesday for orientation before resuming two-a-days.
"There are some positives to the early day off," Saban said, "but there also are some disadvantages. It might be beneficial for the players not to practice four times in two days, but at the same time, we would like to be building a routine so the guys can develop some mental toughness through all the repetitions."
Veteran players report for physicals Thursday, Aug. 6. The first combined team workouts are slated for Saturday, Aug. 8. Media/Photo and Family Fun Day are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 9.
Michigan State opens the 1998 season Aug. 29 against Colorado State at 4 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.
