Spring Football Journal With Dane Robinson

Dane Robinson

You know as we are nearing the home stretch of spring football 2009 this has really been one of the more calm, relaxed spring football sessions I can really remember. Really, I mean there were times that I, and I’m sure all my teammates, can remember when Coach Gill first got here and we’re practicing at 8 in the morning out on a frigid icy field having to establish and show what kind of players we are because coaches knew nothing about us. There were also times where we would practice in Alumni Arena or over in Orchard Park every other practice because the weather was just awful and we couldn’t get anything done in UB Stadium. Plus who could really forget the intensity these past spring ball sessions of players competing for starting spots and trying to out-man each other as we ran Oklahoma after Oklahoma after Oklahoma (a one-on-one drill where its basically smear or be smeared). Gooooooood times I tell ya……goooooooood times.

So two MAC East Division Titles and a MAC Championship later we are just not the same team anymore…obviously. The difference this spring ball is that I’m not saying there hasn’t been difficult weather…we’re in Buffalo and there’s just no two ways around it. I’m not saying there aren’t new changes where there are some players that have to re-establish themselves because of new coaching changes. I’m not even saying there isn’t competition, but this is the first spring ball I’ve been a part of where there has just been an intense focus and a feeling of confidence with this team. I think with us being down on some numbers this go round its really made young guys step up their play and focus. It also has made this team make due with what we have and that’s really what I think has strengthened us in a lot of aspects. I mean things are moving along pretty smoothly after our last scrimmage before our spring game on Saturday. Both squads are looking more confident and efficient in what we are doing and the new schemes we are implementing. You guys should be in for a good preview of this season on Saturday…

Since I’ve had a lot of time on my hands lately after being sidelined with a torn ligament in my hand (not a big deal… really) I’ve had time to spend with guys like James Starks, Davonte Shannon, and Mike Newton who are sitting out this spring ball due to injury and just to see how they are doing with their rehab and to see the focus and the anxiousness they have to get back on the field when we start fall camp in August is assuring to the kind of season we can have and repeat as champions. The guys we have out on the field already are making us look good and getting us prepared to do great things but when we return in August and to see James, Brandon (Thermilus), and Zach (Maynard) all in the back field at the same time….talk about a three-headed monster. When one of the best tacklers in the MAC in Davonte has a chance to come back I think we will see a new level of excitement in his playmaking….or that’s what he told me anyway……just kidding Davonte! And we all know Mike is just waiting to lay somebody out with another hit that just kind of makes you cringe a little bit. And as for me….well, I just can’t wait to be back on the field again with the defensive line to make life easier on Davonte and Mike so they don’t have to make as many tackles, but with 300-pound offensive linemen trying to make my life more difficult this isn’t always a simple task…..I tell ya some guys just have the easy life I swear, playing coverage all the time, sheesh! But with all these great weapons we have that other teams we play are forced to deal with, we are priming ourselves to not only have lightning strike twice, but to make history again and finally make winning championships a culture here in Buffalo.

Last week……

#92
GO BULLS
2008 MAC CHAMPS