Somewhere, a clown is sporting a frown.Yes, coach **Mark Mangino** wouldn’t be big on a circus-like atmosphere at the spring football game on April 12, though it appears he wouldn’t mind either way. With attendance lagging in recent years, Mangino was asked [Tuesday at the pre-spring press conference][1] what he’d like to see from a fan turnout standpoint at the spring game.Mangino, as he did last year, said he’s more concerned with his team’s 15 practices over the next month, as he should be. But he said he’s mindful of having a good crowd, before dropping this delightful nugget:”I’m not going to recommend that we have a rock band at the spring game, or rodeo clowns,” Mangino grinned.So go home, **Juggles**. The hope in Lawrence is that an Orange Bowl trophy gets the fans in the seats.”Anything that the fans do or contribute, great. We love it,” Mangino said. “We’re going to be there no matter if there’s 100 or 20,000 fans. We’re going to be out there on that Saturday practicing.”He then paused.”Hopefully,” he added, “there will be more than 100.”**Some other nuggets from Tuesday’s press conference:****- As many have guessed,** three starters will not be available for spring practices: linebacker **Joe Mortensen**, center **Ryan Cantrell** and safety **Justin Thornton**.Cantrell, Mangino said, is being held out more because he’s a veteran who doesn’t need to risk further injury. He’s been seen with a boot on his left foot and was on crutches at the awards banquet last week.Mortensen and Thornton are on crutches, too. Mangino said two of those three would be available for spring workouts if they started in late April. He said all three will be ready to go for the start of the season.**- Kerry Meier’s role** in the offense isn’t going to change much for now. He’ll still get reps at both quarterback and wide receiver. Since incoming punter **Alonso Rojas** isn’t on campus yet, Meier also will get a lot of work this spring booting the ball.**- The offensive tackle positions** (both of them) are going to be the most intriguing position battles this spring. Four guys are leading the competition for the two spots: **Nathan D’Cunha**, **Ian Wolfe**, **Matt Darton** and **Jeff Spikes**.**- Pro Day was earlier Tuesday** in the Anderson Family Strength Center and Anschutz Pavilion. A total of 37 scouts from 27 different teams were there, including Chiefs general manager **Carl Peterson**.A total of 14 guys worked out, including two blasts from the past: former KU defensive linemen **Rodney Allen** and **Eric Butler**. [1]: http://www2.kusports.com/podcasts/press_conferences_postgame_interviews/2008/mar/11/mark_manginos_march_11_spring_football_press_confe/