From beach towels to blankets

1/3/2008

ROOM 1604, MARRIOTT --- Michigan football fans had high expectations for this year s team, so not surprisingly Ann Arbor was near tears when the Wolverines lost their first two games. Conversely, Minnesota fans suffered little this season because they knew from the beginning the Gophers were gonna stink.

Tonight, I feel like a Michigan fan. I was expecting Mobile to be warm and sunny, but my beverage of choice has rapidly switched from sweet tea to hot tea. Temperatures never reached 30 degrees today. That, my readers, is absurd. But not as absurd as the conversations I ve had today with friends and family members from Ohio. I keep hearing, Quit whining it s 10 degrees here! OK, but that s to be expected. You are essentially the Minnesota fan, so behave that way.

Anyway, BG s first bowl practice was this afternoon. For the most part the team looked strong and focused. Mike Ward wore shorts yet still I wouldn t be surprised if he was sweating. That guy is very intense. The wind was messing with the special teams players but that shouldn t be a problem Sunday as temperatures are supposed to be near 70 degrees.

Corey Partridge practiced with both the offense and defense, which is interesting because it looked/sounded like Partridge was strictly a defensive player as of last week. I never thought I d write this but I was surprised to see Corey Partridge at receiver.

Looks like Adrian Baker will start in place of Diyral Briggs, but I m not sure this means a whole lot as there is quite a bit of rotating on the defensive line. I m sure we ll see a healthy dose of Baker, Jacob Hardwick, Joe Schaefer and Angelo Magnone. These guys absolutely need to pressure Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith for BG to have a chance Sunday.

Brady Minturn practiced with the first team at left guard. Shane Steffy, whom Minturn is replacing, didn t even travel down here because of his broken leg. That s too bad.

Glen Stanley and D.J. Young did not attend practice and I m guessing both were left behind in Bowling Green.

Also left behind in Bowling Green was Pete Winovich s luggage. Somehow his bags weren t loaded on the team bus Tuesday. I find it amusing that a guy can change positions every season but he can t change his socks.

My suitcase didn t arrive until this morning which wasn t a major inconvenience except that I had to shave with an alleged razor that I picked up at the front desk. That experience was more painful than a loss to Appalachian State.