ESPNs spring analysis:
After the first week of practice, coach Ron Prince has been pleased with his team's early work. "Our conditioning has held up, we've been able to get a lot more plays in and at a higher tempo than we have up to this point last season," Prince said. "I'm very encouraged by that." K Brooks Rossman has emerged to claim a "slight edge" over Tim Schwerdt in the battle to replace K Jeff Snodgrass, Prince said. QB Josh Freeman had his moments in the Wildcats' first work in end-of-game situations in the two-minute offense. "From a coverage standpoint, as well as a passing and protection standpoint, it was very challenging for both groups, which is a positive for me," Prince said. "Neither of the coordinators were very happy, so that's probably a good thing." Prince doesn't hesitate to bring up his team's ultimate goal throughout spring practice. "We've got terrific chemistry on this team," Prince said. "I really like how we're working toward the real objective, which is to find ourselves in San Antonio for the championship game." WR Jordy Nelson credited some of that unity from the team's intensive offseason workouts. "I think we had a great showing," Nelson said. "The quarterbacks and receivers stayed after a lot and threw a lot of balls. I think that really helped out a lot going into the spring." Prince has been intrigued by the early battle for the starting quarterback job between Freeman and incoming sophomore Carson Coffman. "I think from a technical standpoint, as far as knowing the plays and understanding coverages that Josh clearly has a leg up on Carson because of being here last spring," Prince said. "But from a confidence standpoint, it's very hard to shake either one of them." Former KSU offensive lineman John Hafferty had an interesting quote after quitting the team last week. "I consider it to have been a great privilege and an honor to have played for coach [Bill] Snyder and Kansas State, and I will always be grateful to him, his former staff and the university for giving me that opportunity," Hafferty said in a prepared release. Hafferty played as a true freshman in 2004, but saw his playing time diminish last season. He made two starts at right guard, but was off the team's two-deep roster by the time the season concluded.
A lot more excitement from the players. They're working harder, staying after practice on their own time, and there's a general sense of team unity. They've had better workouts and attendance to the workouts in the offseason than they've had since any of the current players have been there.
And it looks like there's a few of Snyders players that never bought into Prince. The sooner they're gone, the better IMO. Keep the guys like Jordy and Watts and Campbell who are excited and working hard, get rid of the guys who are complaining and not buying in.
