Injuries, not punishment, forced the University of Louisville football team into a 5:30 a.m. practice Thursday. And coach Charlie Strong said those same injuries would mean tonight's spring game will be a simple offense-vs.-defense format.
The Cardinals entered spring drills with 14 players out with various ailments. Eight more were hurt in practice, including three offensive linemen.
Strong said the Cards have only seven healthy offensive linemen, which caused Thursday's early practice because four of those linemen have afternoon classes.
“It's been a tough spring, just because of the number of injuries we've had,”
he said. “The guys who have practiced, we've been very pleased … but when we start fall camp, those guys should be healthy.”
The defensive line also is depleted by injuries, but Strong said the absence of William Savoy, Greg Scruggs and B. J. Butler helped the Cards develop depth by giving other players more repetitions.
It was especially beneficial for Marcus Smith and George Durant, who switched from linebacker to the defensive line, and Jamaine Brooks, who sat out as a redshirt last season. Strong said it also gave coaches a good look at several players who were used sparingly last season, such as Malcolm Mitchell, Roy Philon and Randy Salmon.
“There were six guys there that really needed a lot of work, and it's good that they got a lot of work,”
Strong said.
A lot of eyes will be on the quarterbacks, where the Cards will break in a new starter. Junior Will Stein, a Trinity High product, has the early edge. Highly touted freshman Teddy Bridgewater, who enrolled in January, will get his chance to prove he is worth the hype.
Although Strong said the format will seem “like just another practice,”
he promised his team would not be on cruise control.
