If seasons are won in the offseason then things are really looking up for the Panthers.

Lorence Ricks, a senior wide receiver, said the whole team is working hard on their strength training and endurance.

“It’s going pretty well right now we have a majority of the team here, everybody is in the weight room working hard and getting disciplined by the coaches,” Ricks said.

Eric Cash, head strength training coach, said the team has weight lifting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday the team has conditioning.

“We do linear speed development and change of direction development on Mondays and Fridays prior to our training sessions,” Cash said.

Linear speed development involves drills to increase the players acceleration. Change of direction development drills are meant to help the players change direction quickly when running, so they can cut left and right without causing injury.

Cory Leman, a senior linebacker, said he has high expectations for this coming season.

“I think as long as we keep working hard and obviously stay healthy, that’s really the key for any team, well be in good shape,” Leman said.

Defensive coordinator, Roc Bellantoni, said most of the players hurt in last year’s season received career ending injuries.

“I think most of the other guys that were hurt last year are done,” Bellantoni said.

He said Mike outside linebacker, Garrity,and defensive roamer, Nick Martinez, will be returning from season ending injuries.

Bellantoni said the rules prevent the coaches from attending the practices during the summer, but that doesn’t keep the team from practicing.

“On their own, they go out and they run practice three days a week,” he said “They call it captains practice and the guys that are leaders of the team put them through practice.”

He said they have 12 or 13 incoming freshmen and they are working well with the returning players.

“Those guys (freshman players) are doing really well there coming in, working hard,” Leman said. “We are already trying teach them what we know to set up the defense and on the offensive side of the ball we’re getting those guys running routes and carrying the ball.”

Ricks said he is going to play the same way this season as he did last season, with the only difference being that he is going to have to do better with helping the other players improve.

“Last year I did pretty well with my performance on the field, but I wasn’t as vocal, so I feel like that is something that I need to step up and I got to help the team out and try to push us towards a successful season.”

“It’s a great summer,” Bellantoni said. “The best we’ve ever had.”

Marcus Smith can be reached at 581-7942 or masmith6@eiu.edu>.

Lorence Ricks a junior wide reciever is unable to intercept a pass to Murray State’s Nick Moore Oct. 23 at O’Brien Field. (File

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