Stout Defense, Potent Offense Key for DeBord's Cream Squad
4/11/2017 4:35:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The 2017 football season has officially reached its first game week. Spring practices have come to a close, the offensive playbook has been installed and it is finally time to strap up the pads for a game day.
Just 18 days before the start of the NFL Draft, where Hoosier hopefuls are hoping to have their names selected and, in turn, fulfilling their lifelong dream, the Indiana football team held its own draft.
The coaching staff split up into two squads, Team Cream and Team Crimson. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord will take on the head coaching responsibilities for the Cream. He teamed up with safeties coach Noah Joseph to tackle the draft. Together they assembled a stout defense to go along with their potent offense.
"I think our defensive is really strong," DeBord said. "When it came to the draft, I put Noah in charge of drafting the defense. I told him that when he wanted to go get a defensive guy that we would go get one."
Prior to the draft, there was a brief free agency period. Each team was allowed to 'sign' two players to their roster, building the foundation for the team. DeBord acknowledged that locking in fifth-year senior quarterback Richard Lagow was priority one.
"We wanted to start free agency by getting Rich," DeBord said. "We went after him hard, but were able to get him early. Then we negotiated with some defensive guys."
Once Lagow was on board the team immediately started to take shape. In order to ensure the quarterback was happy, DeBord's first pick was redshirt junior wide receiver Simmie Cobbs, Jr.
Lagow was complimentary of the work that the Cream coaching staff put into the draft.
"We have a great defensive line," Lagow said. "We have Simmie to lead a good group of receivers. We have a good running back and a good offensive line. Across the board I think that we have the better roster."
The defensive line will be anchored by free agent signee Robert McCray III. The senior is excited to get to game action.
"We are excited for the competition," McCray said. "We want to see who is going to win the game, win the prize. We want the competition, we want to have fun and we want to end the spring on a high note."
With the teams established on Sunday evening, Tuesday's practice was important to install the game plan for the Spring Game. For the offense it is simple, let Lagow do what he does and get the ball in the hands of his playmakers.
Just 18 days before the start of the NFL Draft, where Hoosier hopefuls are hoping to have their names selected and, in turn, fulfilling their lifelong dream, the Indiana football team held its own draft.
The coaching staff split up into two squads, Team Cream and Team Crimson. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord will take on the head coaching responsibilities for the Cream. He teamed up with safeties coach Noah Joseph to tackle the draft. Together they assembled a stout defense to go along with their potent offense.
"I think our defensive is really strong," DeBord said. "When it came to the draft, I put Noah in charge of drafting the defense. I told him that when he wanted to go get a defensive guy that we would go get one."
Prior to the draft, there was a brief free agency period. Each team was allowed to 'sign' two players to their roster, building the foundation for the team. DeBord acknowledged that locking in fifth-year senior quarterback Richard Lagow was priority one.
"We wanted to start free agency by getting Rich," DeBord said. "We went after him hard, but were able to get him early. Then we negotiated with some defensive guys."
Once Lagow was on board the team immediately started to take shape. In order to ensure the quarterback was happy, DeBord's first pick was redshirt junior wide receiver Simmie Cobbs, Jr.
Lagow was complimentary of the work that the Cream coaching staff put into the draft.
"We have a great defensive line," Lagow said. "We have Simmie to lead a good group of receivers. We have a good running back and a good offensive line. Across the board I think that we have the better roster."
The defensive line will be anchored by free agent signee Robert McCray III. The senior is excited to get to game action.
"We are excited for the competition," McCray said. "We want to see who is going to win the game, win the prize. We want the competition, we want to have fun and we want to end the spring on a high note."
With the teams established on Sunday evening, Tuesday's practice was important to install the game plan for the Spring Game. For the offense it is simple, let Lagow do what he does and get the ball in the hands of his playmakers.
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