Tiger veterans increasing productivity
By: Justin Feil
Roger Hughes is deep in the middle of the spring football practices with his Princeton University team, but his mind runs to the links when he talks about its development thus far.
"I like to equate it with a golf swing," said Hughes, who will enter his third season as head football coach this fall. "We have a lot of guys who have played a lot. So we’re like a good golfer that has that swing down. It’s a matter now of polishing it. That’s what we’re trying to do now. We’re trying to fine-tune it and become more complete."
Through what would be three rounds, Hughes is pleased with what he’s seen going into the final round, or week of spring practices that culminates with the spring game 3 p.m. Saturday in Princeton Stadium. The Tigers held a spring scrimmage on Saturday with mostly recruits and their parents on the sidelines to get a taste for PU football.
What they saw was a team that, on offense, returns a veteran line as well as players who saw time at tight end, receiver, running back and quarterback last season. Defensively, Joe Weiss is playing again after his season ended with a broken leg against Colgate.
"He’s not totally back yet, but in one-on-one, no one can block him," Hughes said. Princeton’s defense also has plenty of experience returning, particularly in the secondary and on the defensive line. The returning experience has allowed the Tiger staff to jump farther ahead than in either of the previous two springs since Hughes took over.
"We’re stronger and that’s going to help. And when you look at the kids everywhere on the field," Hughes said. "there are a lot of people that played. They’re more seasoned. They used to be like, ‘Should we do it?’ Now they know exactly what to do in situations."
In other words, that swing should be getting pretty good by now. Saturday’s scrimmage gave the Princeton coaches an idea of how well everything has been absorbed.
The staff saw encouraging things like the defense’s ability in the full-contact portion to halt the offense’s drives. There were explosive plays, like B.J. Szymanski’s 70-yard touchdown, and powerful running. But the staff also saw some of the same things that plagued the Tigers last year penalties and turnovers at crucial times. Fights marred an otherwise productive session.
"We need to figure out a way to keep our mental discipline," Hughes said. "All the time, I’m not worried about how they’re playing. They’re playing hard. But we have to work on the mental level."
Today will be the final full-pad practice. There are just three spring practices remaining, culminating with the spring game. It is open to the public.
Between now and then, Princeton will work on more situations, such as the two-minute offense, as well as beginning to fine-tune the special teams.
"We can’t waste any of the spring practice," Hughes said. "We have to keep working on things. We want to keep exploring new things.
"We have more experienced players coming back so we’re able to do more. We know the kids understand it and we don’t have to go over it again. So we can start out ahead. It allows you to expand more."
There are still some key players missing from the spring practices due to injuries or commitments to a spring sport. Long snapper Tim Releford and running back Cameron Atkinson are both members of the track and field team, as is Paul Lyons, who nonetheless has participated in some spring practices. Tight end Ryan Watson is playing lacrosse. Wide receiver Chisom Opara did not play in Saturday’s scrimmage due to a leg injury.
"Those guys can help us," Hughes said. "They’re still around. They’re not totally defunct. They can study film and they should be able to catch up."
In their absence, however, other players have the opportunity to make a strong impression on the coaches.
"Jon Veach and Branden Benson are running very well," Hughes said of the sophomores who are heading a group of their classmates. "Joel Mancl is looking good at fullback and he could definitely play there. B.J. Szymanski (a receiver) has picked up right where he left off."
Hughes is hoping that all the returning experience pays off in a performance that is above-par or below-par in golf terms this fall. Princeton opens the 2002 season at Lehigh, which has gone undefeated in its last two regular seasons.