May 07, 2008 10:39 pm
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MOULTRIE — When the members of the Colquitt County High offensive unit get a bit frustrated learning the new system this spring, they don’t need to feel alone.
Packers quarterback coach Robert Craft has had to learn it too.
After coaching the quarterbacks for three seasons under Tim Cokely, Craft has been retained by new coach Rush Propst.
And while the offense the Packers will run this year is similar to the one used by Cokely in 2006, there has been a learning curve by both the coaches and the players.
“I’ve had to treat myself like I was a player,” Craft said following Wednesday’s third day of spring practice. “I just had to get right into it.
“It’s like I was a freshman in college with a new playbook. It’s the same thing.”
And now Craft is teaching the Packers three quarterbacks — John Michael Harrison, Quin Roberson and Tyler Brown — the ins and outs of the offense that helped lead Propst and Hoover (Ala.) High to five state championships between 2000 and 2005.
Craft says the offense is one that the players — especially the quarterbacks — should enjoy.
They’ll be in the shotgun, no-huddle, with plenty of chances to make plays.
“They like it,” Craft said. “It’s a fun offense. The skill people couldn’t ask for a better offense to be in.
“And they are responding real well.”
Harrison returns to the position he started 10 games at last year. Roberson got some playing time late in the season and displayed some exception running ability.
“They both got a lot of experience last year,” Craft said. “John Michael and Quin are both good at both running the ball and throwing the ball.”
Brown was a ninth-grader last year and played well.
“He’s gotten a lot bigger,” Craft said. “And a lot of the players have mentioned how much stronger his arm is.
“All three of them are good athletes. And they are all smart.”
And those smarts are crucial in an offense that demands so much of the quarterback.
“We put a lot on the quarterbacks’ shoulders,” Craft said. “We realize the situation they’re in.
“There’ll be a learning curve. But they are starting to understand the concept. It will come with repetitions.”
The primary thing Craft is teaching his players is to play fast.
“That’s the biggest thing: play fast,” he said.
And to help begin getting the Packers ready for next August’s season-opener against Randolph-Clay, the Packers are running most drills in game-like situations.”
“We try to treat them like a game,” Craft said. “Then, when you get to a game, it will be easier.”
The Packers began having 6:45 a.m. sessions on April 7 to go over board work and conditioning.
“The more work we get done there the more polished we are when we get to the practice field,” Craft said.
The coaching staff is giving the team plenty to assimilate. Propst wants plenty of film to evaluate his players.
PACKERS NOTES: The Packers will practice again after school today, will take Friday off and will scrimmage at 9 a.m. Saturday at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium.
The Saturday practice will be the fifth of the spring, taking the team halfway through its spring schedule.
Propst said he was pleased with Wednesday’s practice.
“Their effort was great,” he said.
But there are still a number of things to work on, including, Propst said, how to finish each play.
“They have got to learn how to finish a play and then to get ready, mentally and physically, for the next play,” Propst said.
“They need to have sense of urgency about getting ready to play the next play.”
Propst said he understands that getting his team to where he wants it to be will take time.
“I’m excited about what I see,” he said.
“But it’s a process. I’m not going to cut any corners. It will take time to do things.”
Propst said that during his last few years at Hoover High, the program was established and he had much less to do than he does now in his first season rebuilding Colquitt County football.
“This is what is fun about being a football coach,” he said. “It’s watching your team grow. And these kids are doing what we ask them to do.”
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