Illinois State linebackers Boomer Grigsby and Greg Helle made plays from sideline-to-sideline during Wednesdays practice at Hancock Stadium, but when the final horn sounded head coach Denver Johnson was raving about his entire Redbird defensive unit.
We had a few days off, so we got some guys back that have been banged up and it was good to see them back out here, Johnson said. Im really impressed with my defensive football team right now. Were still a long ways from where we want to be, but the guys are flying around and they have that mentality and posture. They are playing with a lot of passion out there, like how we want to play defense.
Again, we are a long way from where we want to be with technique and being proficient with schemes, but we are giving great effort and we have the right kind of disposition. Individually, Boomer continues to do real well, Greg Helle is really coming on and Even Whitley is doing some good things. Eugene Boyd did some good things today as well, and Ray (Robinson) and Jonathan (Friend) continue to play consistent for us at defensive line.
The defense frustrated the Redbird offense all day, particularly during the blitzing portion of practice.
Offensively, we didnt compete as well as I would have liked today, but it was the first day that we went full-speed blitz, 11-on-11. That always seems to favor the defense, Johnson added. We had a couple center-quarterback exchange problems and couple false starts that made us look sloppy offensively. I was discouraged about that, but I thought late in the day they picked it up some and started to play a little better.
Johnson anticipates his offense building on the late-practice positives heading into Thursdays scrimmage. The scrimmage, which will be closed to the public, was rescheduled after rainy and slippery conditions on Sunday. If weather permits, Johnson and his staff will still have one more practice to make up due to rain.
Im not so much concerned about (practicing five days straight), unless we get more rain, Johnson said. I wish we could have more days like today because we get so much more done. With only 15 practices, and one of those being your spring game, you want to get the maximum out of each one.
