We had our first football dinner tonight, and the key word was excitement. 16 offensive linemen were our guests, and they were excited and ready to play. So was Head Coach David Bailiff, and all the fans present can't wait for the kickoff.

David has changed up the practice schedule this year. No more Sunday practices. Several reasons--guys are tired when they come back from a road trip. This gives them Sunday off to study or go to church with their parents or go out for Sunday lunch or whatever. Now the first practice is Monday at 7:30 pm after our dinners. This way they stay out of the heat, and the coaches will already have film on the next opponent instead of waiting until Tues. morning.

David gave many props to Yancy for getting everyone stronger, and in shape for fall practices. Used to be you used fall 2 a days to get into shape. No more. You'd better be in shape when practices start and improve a little each day.

Also props went out to Extra Point Club members for providing funds so we can have summer school, and keep everyone in town and working out. It costs to house and feed as well as provide tuition.

Injuries--looking good. Only two out for the opener are Joel Armstrong and Corbin Smiter. They should return in two or three weeks.

Chris Del Conte has been wonderful with his leadership in making everything better. The stadium looks great, several food choices are now available (Prince's hamburgers, Chick-fil-A, Papa John's, Smoothie King) and Tailgate Owley with be a free place for kids and their families to gather for fun before the games.

Years of same ol, same ol status quo have vanished. Everything is moving onward. Let's play ball. I can hardly wait.

bump

I didn't take notes last night, so of course, I forgot some things.

Kicking game--Luke Juist has been kicking off very well with most kicks near the goal line. Luke will also punt. We are still having a battle to see who will return kicks. Shepherd and King are the leaders right now. The best hands for returning punts is (you guessed it) JD, but he won't return kicks.

Tyler Smith will redshirt. He is very fast and made a lot of people miss tackles in fall camp, but with all our running backs it was decided to redshirt him. We're still looking for a back to separate himself from the pack. CJ and Marcus Knox are one/two right now with Hill and Bio still in the running. David said after awhile one back will be rushing for more yards than the others, and he will be the starter. We'll be a running back by committee to start the season.

Brian Raines--Brian was out for the spring and didn't practice. When he came back in the fall the coaches were overjoyed. His motor never stops. Brian loves to practice, and his enthusiasm and work ethic inspire the others. Brian is going to be very good. We were very short handed during the spring, and the coaches were worried about depth. Now with all the injured back, plus the freshmen and walk-ons I think the coaches are very pleased with what we have.

Uniforms--First thing David said when he got here was that we weren't changing uniforms. He said good programs don't change their look very often. But lots of emails later, and the same with Chris, they decided to look into it. They discovered we had changed uniforms 22 times so David got a group of Rice lettermen together, people who loved the school, and those letterwinners designed the new look. They have it written in stone (almost literally) that the uniform won't change. When a new coach comes in he can't change it either. David said the players like it. There's no yellow. The former coach took the yellow stripe down the back with him.

Anyway, that's all I can remember for now, but just seeing the positive attitude from everyone is really refreshing. There's not any crying about what we can't do any more. Expectations have risen so we all need to give our support.

Bob Reinhold Wrote:Anyway, that's all I can remember for now, but just seeing the positive attitude from everyone is really refreshing. There's not any crying about what we can't do any more. Expectations have risen so we all need to give our support.

Wonderful report, Bob. It's got my juices flowing. We gotta remember that this team could play well and still be 1-4 after 5 games. First time I've been excited about Rice football at the beginning of the season in a long time.

In the interest of avoiding the dreaded bulletin board, Coach Baliff did say the yellow was gone, but did NOT say the former coach took it with him or that it ran down his back. It was the mutterings in the crowd that suggested that, not the coach.

No, David has no problem with the former coach. It's only the Owls who were around last year that are a little bitter.

Shoot, I am a lot bitter. Damn turncoat. Better off with out him. Grumble, grumble, grumble.

RiceDoc Wrote:In the interest of avoiding the dreaded bulletin board, Coach Baliff did say the yellow was gone, but did NOT say the former coach took it with him or that it ran down his back. It was the mutterings in the crowd that suggested that, not the coach.

Bob Reinhold Wrote:No, David has no problem with the former coach. It's only the Owls who were around last year that are a little bitter.

Thanks for clarifying that - it didn't sound like Bailiff to say that. Not that I have a problem with long-term Rice folks saying it, but I would've thought a little worse of Bailiff if he had said it.

Bob,
Thanks for the report. I am sorry to have missed the dinner--recovering from surgery. I will be in the stadium club on Saturday, though, rooting on the Owls! I plan on being back in my seat in the stands for the next game. Go Owls!!!!