HiCat
07-25-2005, 11:20 AM
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/wildcats/85639.php
Stoops building team into a family
Mike Stoops' team has become closer during practice this summer.
Say this for Arizona football coach Mike Stoops: He is certainly a uniter.
All it takes is to watch his Wildcats go through voluntary practice sessions three days a week to witness an about-face from the mutiny-marred John Mackovic era.
"We've become more like friends, more like family," senior safety Darrell Brooks explained.
For the second consecutive summer, every single one of the Cats have eschewed the comforts of home for Tucson.
Quarterback Richard Kovalcheck misses the California surf, and receiver Syndric Steptoe would like nothing better than to sink his teeth into Mom's Texas home cooking.
But both understand the kind of sacrifice necessary to restore the Wildcat roar.
"Everyone is showing they're committed to this program," Kovalcheck said.
Added Steptoe: "This is way different now from when I've been here in the past."
Under Mackovic, as few as 20 players hung around to soak up June and July's desert ambiance. The results showed up on the loser's side of the scoreboard and in a divided locker room.
"Guys all respect each other, and we all have confidence in each other's abilities and how they're handling their responsibilities," Brooks added. "Guys are leaning on each other more than they have in the past."
Aside from the warm fuzzies, the Cats are also applying what they learned in spring ball. New twists on both sides of the ball can be implemented and tweaked in the summer as well, saving precious time for training camp, which begins Aug. 3.
"Getting on the same page with all the guys is critical," said Kovalcheck, who missed spring practice after undergoing back surgery. "The rest of the guys on offense know what I'm doing, and I know what they're doing. Our timing is right on."
In addition, players go through daily weightlifting and conditioning work.
Arizona will have a month to prepare for its Sept. 2 season opener at Utah when camp begins. The first week is set aside for one practice a day before two-a-days start the second week.
The summer workouts also provide an opportunity for newcomers to become integrated into the system.
Veterans routinely take freshmen under their wings, so to speak.
"It's advantageous because you can come in and meet all those guys," Steptoe explained. "That way, you don't have to meet a bunch of new people when camp rolls around. Everyone knows who you are. It's a smooth transition."
Tight end/halfback Brad Wood signed with Arizona late last year after transferring from Pima College. He joined the UA at the end of June.
"From where we were last year at this point, it's just a completely different team," Wood added. "We built the team. Now we have a program."
Stoops building team into a family
Mike Stoops' team has become closer during practice this summer.
Say this for Arizona football coach Mike Stoops: He is certainly a uniter.
All it takes is to watch his Wildcats go through voluntary practice sessions three days a week to witness an about-face from the mutiny-marred John Mackovic era.
"We've become more like friends, more like family," senior safety Darrell Brooks explained.
For the second consecutive summer, every single one of the Cats have eschewed the comforts of home for Tucson.
Quarterback Richard Kovalcheck misses the California surf, and receiver Syndric Steptoe would like nothing better than to sink his teeth into Mom's Texas home cooking.
But both understand the kind of sacrifice necessary to restore the Wildcat roar.
"Everyone is showing they're committed to this program," Kovalcheck said.
Added Steptoe: "This is way different now from when I've been here in the past."
Under Mackovic, as few as 20 players hung around to soak up June and July's desert ambiance. The results showed up on the loser's side of the scoreboard and in a divided locker room.
"Guys all respect each other, and we all have confidence in each other's abilities and how they're handling their responsibilities," Brooks added. "Guys are leaning on each other more than they have in the past."
Aside from the warm fuzzies, the Cats are also applying what they learned in spring ball. New twists on both sides of the ball can be implemented and tweaked in the summer as well, saving precious time for training camp, which begins Aug. 3.
"Getting on the same page with all the guys is critical," said Kovalcheck, who missed spring practice after undergoing back surgery. "The rest of the guys on offense know what I'm doing, and I know what they're doing. Our timing is right on."
In addition, players go through daily weightlifting and conditioning work.
Arizona will have a month to prepare for its Sept. 2 season opener at Utah when camp begins. The first week is set aside for one practice a day before two-a-days start the second week.
The summer workouts also provide an opportunity for newcomers to become integrated into the system.
Veterans routinely take freshmen under their wings, so to speak.
"It's advantageous because you can come in and meet all those guys," Steptoe explained. "That way, you don't have to meet a bunch of new people when camp rolls around. Everyone knows who you are. It's a smooth transition."
Tight end/halfback Brad Wood signed with Arizona late last year after transferring from Pima College. He joined the UA at the end of June.
"From where we were last year at this point, it's just a completely different team," Wood added. "We built the team. Now we have a program."