Football

By Eden Godbee
Special to howard-bison.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With spring practice underway, the Howard football team looks to improve on a 4-7 year by focusing on fundamentals. Blocking techniques, tackles and finishing plays are also strong points of emphasis but according to Head Coach Carey Bailey, being fundamentally sound is the backbone to solid play. "Our goal is to be a more disciplined and fundamentally sound team," said Head Coach Carey Bailey. "That is the main thing we are stressing this year and we are moving along nicely." Bailey and the rest of the coaching staff have the team performing well and ahead of schedule. "They seem to be catching on quickly and their attitudes have improved, but it's still too early to tell," Defensive Coordinator Andre Creamer said.

With 27 players graduating, the staff has to fill the void left by All-MEAC performers Rudy Hardie, Jahran Williams and Brian Johnson. However, the staff is pleased with the size and character of the new players and the improvement of the returnees. "The team's biggest needs have been filled," Bailey said. "We needed a starting quarterback, speedy running backs and solid linebackers, and we have all of that in place now." Moreover, off-season conditioning and grueling workouts with the returning players are starting to show progress. "They are still not in game playing shape but the workouts went well, you can definitely see the changes in their physiological composition," Bailey elaborated.

Spring practice concludes with the spring game on April 19. The Bison open up the 2008 campaign on September 6 with a contest against cross-town rival Georgetown University.