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KUsports.com weblogs Tale of the Tait

Posted by Matt Tait August 9, 2012 at 10:03 a.m.

What caught my eye at Day 8 of Fall Practice

Rays of sunshine creep onto the KU practice fields during the early stages of the first of two Thursday practices for the KU football team.

Rays of sunshine creep onto the KU practice fields during the early stages of the first of two Thursday practices for the KU football team. by Matt Tait

Thursday morning brought with it the beginning of the second day of two-a-day practices for the Kansas University football team.

And there were a couple of good things about it for the Jayhawks.

First, it was not too early. Practice did not begin until just after 9 a.m. Second, it was not too hot, as the morning temperature hung around 70 degrees before the sun started climbing and heating things up.

Pretty much business as usual in terms of what we were able to see today, but my focus took me to the offensive line, where I was impressed by a lot of what I saw.

Several members of the KU offensive line push the sled during Thursday morning warm-ups prior to the start of practice.

Several members of the KU offensive line push the sled during Thursday morning warm-ups prior to the start of practice. by Matt Tait

First, as a whole, these guys look to be in very good cardio shape. Even after doing back-to-back-to-back-to-back drills with O-Line coach Tim Grunhard bearing down on them, you could hardly see them taking a breath.

As expected, projected starters Duane Zlatnik, Tanner Hawkinson, Trevor Marrongelli and Gavin Howard led off most of the drills, but the other guys are right there with them working their butts off.

Here are a couple of tidbits I saw from observing the O-Line:

Aslam Sterling gets a little extra attention during stretching from assistant strength coach Justin Springer. Springer, remember, is a big man himself, standing around 6-3, 240. That gives you a better idea of just how massive the 6-5, 360-pound Sterling really is.

Aslam Sterling gets a little extra attention during stretching from assistant strength coach Justin Springer. Springer, remember, is a big man himself, standing around 6-3, 240. That gives you a better idea of just how massive the 6-5, 360-pound Sterling really is. by Matt Tait

• While newcomer Aslam Sterling moves great on his feet for a man his size (6-5, 360), he has some work to do in the conditioning area. That’s no big secret and head coach Charlie Weis even made mention to the fact that the coaches were going to ease Sterling into things before they made him take the full conditioning test that the rest of team had to take on Day 1.

• Former D-Lineman Pat Lewandowski is the ultimate chameleon. I mean, he’s been with the offensive linemen for what, a few weeks now, and he already looks the part. Long, lean and in solid shape, the weight Lewandowski has added to bulk up for the O-Line appears to have been good weight and he looks like he could play tackle today.

Defensive lineman turned offensive lineman Pat Lewandowski.

Defensive lineman turned offensive lineman Pat Lewandowski. by Matt Tait

• I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears mentioning again. It’s so impressive to watch Grunhard coach these guys. There’s not a single minute where he’s not coaching or yelling or screaming “faster, faster, faster” at his group. That’s far from it, though. The former NFL veteran is not afraid to break into a stance and show proper technique if he thinks his guys need to see it. I said it earlier in the week, but, again, KU is very fortunate to have this guy on the coaching staff.

• Nothing else really stood out to me today. I was able to get confirmation that the exercise bike routine at the start of practice is used to get guys loose and not to punish them. Makes sense, since something tells me any punishment would be a lot worse than riding a stationary bike. D-Back Brian Maura was back on the bike today, but it seems like that’s just to get loose since he rode the bike yesterday but looked fine during drills.

• Today’s Coach Weis song of the day was “Out in the Street” by Bruce Springsteen, but it was hardly the only song that popped. Right out of the gate, “Still Not a Player” by Big Pun and, right after The Boss, Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” had KU players and coaches alike bouncing around a little more.

The sled sits just beyond the end zone, shortly after KU's O-Line, rotating in, pushed the thing more than 50 yards during a pre-practice drill Thursday morning. That big box behind the sled? That's the new sound system.

The sled sits just beyond the end zone, shortly after KU's O-Line, rotating in, pushed the thing more than 50 yards during a pre-practice drill Thursday morning. That big box behind the sled? That's the new sound system. by Matt Tait

KU coach Charlie Weis huddles with a few scouts from the NFL's Arizona Cardinals before the beginning of Thursday's practice. The presence of NFL scouts has been a regular thing at every KU practice so far this season.

KU coach Charlie Weis huddles with a few scouts from the NFL's Arizona Cardinals before the beginning of Thursday's practice. The presence of NFL scouts has been a regular thing at every KU practice so far this season. by Matt Tait

Comments

d_prowess 9 months, 1 week ago

Song of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8yphj...

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kustrong 9 months, 1 week ago

It should have been: "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out," by the Boss

Rock Chalk

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dagger108 9 months, 1 week ago

CW's looking lean - relatively speaking.

Matt - Any word on his rehab, though it is obviously not the main focus at this time? It would just be nice to get past the "fat coach" comments, tho I generally try to ignore the Star and ESPN comment sections.

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Matt Tait 9 months, 1 week ago

He talked a little about it at media days in Dallas and said he feels as good as he's felt in a long time. The players aren't the only ones who have been working this offseason to get in better shape. Coach Weis has done his fair share of work, too, and I think you're right in noticing the difference.

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jhox 9 months, 1 week ago

I agree and was going to make the same comment, that the coach appears to have dropped significant weight. He's no longer a risk to take over Mangino's crown as the heaviest KU coach ever.

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clevelandjayhawker 9 months, 1 week ago

I was thinking like dagger, Coach def looks leaner, but it could be the angle you used

Matt, are there going to be any more of the Thursday blogs/web chats?

Thanks for the coverage.

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Matt Tait 9 months, 1 week ago

I'll definitely get back to those. My focus has just been on all the access we're getting right now. I'll keep you posted, though. Hopefully next week.

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Jayjocker 9 months, 1 week ago

Rod Graves, General Manager, and Steve Keim, VP of player personnel are two of the Az Cards "scouts". Another benefit of having HCCW at KU. Those guys don't step foot on campus without Coach Weis even with the Cards in KC imo.

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jkiernan 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt I speak for all KU fans-there was a vote- when I say you're doing a fabulous job (to quote another Coach at Kansas...) and everyone appreciates the coverage.

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dannyboy4hawks 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt, I don't post often but I read every article and comment And wanted to add my Thanks to you for a job very well done. I appreciate your effort and unbiased enthusiasm....I might have fibbed on the unbiased part.

Thanks again and keep the articles and insights coming

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wats211 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt...great job.....wow...and they pay you...wow...but keep trying..you eventually will finally get it...but we like you Matt

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jhox 9 months, 1 week ago

I'm guessing they don't pay Matt nearly what he deserves. I, for one, vote that they give him a big raise.

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KGphoto 9 months, 1 week ago

Grunny has his work cut out for him. Four freshman listed on the depth chart out of 12 total spots. Two other guys played defense last year. That leaves only one solid, experienced reserve along the entire line. Either Sterling or Spencer at RT.

To me, this is the group that can least afford an injury.

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wats211 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt..great job!

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Jayjocker 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt- AZ Cards brass in the picture, Rod Graves, GM and Steve Keim, VP of player personnel. I doubt that without HCCW on board at KU we see those guys on campus even with the Cards in KC.

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Jayjocker 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt- the "scouts" pictured from the AZ Cards are Rod Graves, GM and Steve Keim, VP of player personnel. I doubt those guys step foot on campus except for HCCW being at KU. Even with the Cards in KC.

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Jayjocker 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt- the AZ Cards "scouts" pictured are, Rod Graves, General Manager, and Steve Keim, VP of player personnel. Without HCCW at KU, I doubt NFL guys at this level step foot on campus even with the Cards in KC.

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Matt Tait 9 months, 1 week ago

Good to know. Thanks. No disrespect meant in calling them scouts.

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JJHAWK 9 months, 1 week ago

Jayjocker - I wouldn't worry about that stutter. It's not really noticable . . . very much.

& thanks for the info!

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Jayjocker 9 months, 1 week ago

Matt. Sorry for the multiples. Work computer snafu. J

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