In its first week of spring practice, the Mississippi State football team has already begun to find rhythm.
The team has just completed an NCAA mandated three-day shorts and helmet practice period and garnered general praise from head coach Sylvester Croom, except in a few areas.
“I was a little disappointed in our field goal kickers,” Croom said. “They missed three in our drills today and so the team had to run three gassers. Hopefully we’ll get to a point soon where we won’t have to run any.”
Croom also expressed disappointment in his quarterback core, saying they weren’t really understanding the schemes the coaches were trying to install.
“I didn’t think we played well at quarterback at all,” Croom said. “Our ball location was bad and from an execution standpoint, we just didn’t perform well at quarterback, and all we were doing was base stuff.”
Incumbent quarterback Mike Henig has been missing some reads but feels overall that with the improvements at the receiver positions, he will be able to move the offense much more effectively.
“We’re coming along. We’ve got some playmakers now,” Henig said. “Every time I drop back I know I’m going to have someone make a play. It’s exciting.”
The two biggest additions to the receiving core-one of the most anemic positions for the 3-8 Bulldogs last season-have been senior Omarr Conner-a converted quarterback who caught nine balls in two games after moving to receiver last season-and junior Tony Burks, a community college transfer. Burks caught 44 passes for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College last fall.
Conner has been trying to help Burks with the transition to Division 1 football, while trying to cope with his own position change as well.
“I’m trying to take him under my wing,” Conner said. “He’s a good person … a quiet kid. He’s got good hands, though. I like being around him.”
Croom appeared impressed by the dynamic duo, and knowing full well the blight the offense was on the success of the team last year, Croom knows the importance of the position.
“I know that we are better right now than we were at this time last year at wide receiver,” Croom said. “Just having Omarr and Tony out there made a difference. Those two will make us better.”
Croom also cites that the efficiency of the rest of the core has seen marked improvement, perhaps in part because of Conner and Burks raising the bar of competition.
“You can see that the receivers are getting better,” Croom said, “And not Burks and Conner. Some of the guys who have been around here for a while are getting better.”
The Bulldogs will resume practice this afternoon for the first time in pads. The afternoon session will be last for the squad before recessing for Spring Break.