Football Freshmen Open Practice – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 14, 2001
Freshmen members of the Ohio State football team ran through their first day of practice as Buckeyes today after reporting to camp Monday, Aug. 13. Coach Tressel commented on the first day at the conclusion of practice
Coach Jim Tressel
On the first day of practice
“First days are a lot of fun. There’s a twinkle in their eyes. You see the excitement as they get to know one another and you see them learn. It’s interesting, just watching practice one to practice two. It’s amazing once they know where they’re going, how much more relaxed and loose they are. I think it’s going to be a good group. They seem like good learners.”
On the difference between the first day of practice with freshmen and the first day with upperclassmen
“The tempo is not quite as fast. It’s a real learn and teach tempo. We’re trying show them that no one is going to bite off anyone’s head and we want them to learn. We want them to soon know enough that their physical ability can take over. It’s a slow, ease into physically and full-speed ahead mentally.”
On if anyone stood out
“I’ve been pleased with all of them. You never know in the game of football when you’re in shorts, or shells as we call them. But I like the way they learn, I like the way they move and I like the way they get along and help one another and all the things we’re looking for.”
On what is the first step for the freshman
“For the players, first to get to know our terminology. To get to know the way we do things: Here’s where we eat, here’s where we sleep, here’s where we meet, here is the proper protocol in the training room and the locker room. We want them to get the lay of the land. We want them to get comfortable. Then we can allow our physical talents to express themselves.”
On starting practice after months of preparation
“That’s the fun of it. Getting organized and so forth is kind of the buildup toward what you really like to do, but you like to get back in the classroom. The classroom in our case happens to be the field and video room and it’s exciting. It’s not nearly as exciting as next week when we’re out there with pads on and the classroom takes on a little different tenor.” On his role directing practice with freshman as opposed to with upperclassmen
“I like when the freshmen are here, just to mosey around and see a little bit of everything. Then, when we get there with the upperclassmen, with as many receivers and quarterbacks as we have, I like to help (assistant coach) Joe Daniels out.”
On the quizzes he gave the freshmen to help them learn about one another’s backgrounds
“Everything is about relationships. We’ve been saying that all along. You have to get to know one another to really appreciate one another. I think it starts with someone’s name because that’s pretty dear to them and it starts with where they’re from. The third thing we’ve asked them to get a handle on is what their teammate’s academic major is. I think it’s important they get know the coaches and each other.”
Simon Fraser
On the first day of practice
“It was everything I expected and more. Coach Tressel was all over the place. He’s really in charge. It was great to finally meet with all the teammates and coaches in a football setting.”
