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As usual, expect complete and exclusive coverage on GoUSFBulls.com. We have every test score and time posted ASAP after the event.
 Lots of Media on the Opening of Camp
We wrote yesterday about the large media contingent covering the first practice of the spring. Here is sampling of that coverage, which can also be found in the daily USF News Wire:
? Great feature story by Alan Dell of the Sarasota-Herald Tribune, who caught up with fan favorite Mike Ford. Here are a couple paragraphs, make sure you read the entire article:
Mike Ford didn't look like Mike Ford. At least not the one fans saw the last time he took the field in the Bulls' bowl game last December.
The former Sarasota High record setting running back no longer has his dreadlocks. But the biggest thing he shed was his weight.
Getting ready for his junior year next season, Ford weighed in at 220 this week, which was 20 pounds lighter then when he took the field against Memphis in the St. Petersburg Bowl.
The best part says Ford and USF football strength coach Ron McKeefery is that he is stronger and more agile. He hopes it translates into more carries and more production.
"Mike went down significantly in body fat, which translates into about 20 pounds of fat," McKeefery said. "He has worked as hard as he ever has during the offseason and is starting to figure it out. His body fat is down to 15 percent, which is petty good for somebody his size (6-foot-2).
"Basically, he was carrying about an extra 25-pound plate around with him and now he is not. He is more efficient. His new muscle mass is propelling him in the right direction as opposed to fighting his natural body movement."
? Gregg Becnel wites for the Tampa Trbiune that Mike Canales and Joe Tresey are comparing notes and helping the other out as the spring season. He writes, "New University of South Florida defensive coordinator Joe Tresey was brought in to help the Bulls maintain their status as one of the nation's top defenses. An added bonus, however, is what Tresey can do for the USF offense, led by new coordinator Mike Canales."
? St. Petersburg Times correspondent Joe Rienzi writes, "The biggest names on the USF roster are singing the praises of the two new coordinators.
Quarterback Matt Grothe, who has worked extensively with new offensive coordinator Mike Canales for the past two seasons, is already excited about what he's seeing.
"It's a whole new world. I love it," he said. "I love the style of offense we have going on now and I'm looking forward to it."
? The Orlando Sentinel doesn't usually cover USF football, but they are expanding their coverage and sent Buc Beat Writer Chris Harry over Tuesday:
He filed two reports:
One on the new faces and the challenges ahead:
"Which bring us to key to the offense. And it's not the new coordinator.
"The one thing we're going to try to do is build the offense around Matt Grothe," Canales said.
And an earlier post on the beginning of spring ball.
? Brian Bennett of ESPN.com takes a look at the New-look Bulls kicking off spring practice.
? Larry Weisbaum of USFNation.com has a ton of free photos from the opening workout and some observations on his premium board.
? USFBullseye.com has more on Mike Ford.
| Daily Updates - March 10 - Post Practice Update |
Twitter Updates | Leavitt Video Interview | Coach Joe Tresey | Matt Grothe | George Selvie
 The USF football team began the spring season with a lengthy practice that was heavy on individual work and instruction. New offensive coordinator Mike Canales and new defensive coordinator Joe Tresey are both putting their personal touches on the USF attacks.
Coach Canales' offense worked his version of the spread for the first time and found many of the same formations, signals and calls. The familiarity should help the assimilation process when Canales adds new wrinkles throughout camp. Canales threw some new workouts at the quarterbacks, who spent 20 minutes in individual work. Veteran Matt Grothe was gassed at the end of the 20-minute session, which is a replica of the drills that Canales did with current San Diego Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers during his time at NC State.
Included in the drills was the use of bungee cord that was attached to the waist of redshirt-freshman Evan Landi and Grothe. The QBs fine-tuned their footwork while dropping back, moving in the pocket and passing all while tethered to a goal post. Canales also said that he has connected Rivers with Grothe, so that the Bulls' senior leader has a professional mentor to lean on.
Coach Tresey's 4-3 defense is very similar to the package that USF has run for many years, although there are some tweaks and terminology changes. After each and every snap in 11-on-11 work, Tresey was addressing individual players and ensuring they knew exactly what was expected of them.
Tresey had head coach Jim Leavitt involved with the defense throughout practice. Leavitt is currently coaching the linebackers and said that he had no timetable for hiring an assistant to coach that position group. But he did admit that he, “Had some fun with the linebackers today.”
Leavitt last worked directly with linebackers during his time as an assistant at Kansas State 13-plus years ago. Leavitt was the co-defensive coordinator with current Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and oversaw the linebackers.
Other Notes:
Jim Leavitt reminded the large media turnout that, “The team on the field this spring will look very different in the fall when we have our recruiting class here. It's the largest class we have ever signed and plenty of those guys will be contributing this fall."
* Speaking of the large media turnout: Make sure you watch your local news tonight. Every local TV station had a cameraman on-site and they interviewed Leavitt, Canales, Tresey, Grothe and two-time All-American George Selvie. Bright House Sports Network did a pair of live shots from USF as well.
In terms of papers and online coverage, the Orlando Sentinel, Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, Oracle, Sarasota Herald Tribune, USFBullseye.com and USFNation.com all had reporters out for the opening day. While ESPN.com and the Pensacola News Journal were filing reports over the phone.
* GoUSFBulls.com will be unveiling several new features in our coverage of spring ball. Stay tuned this week and throughout the practice season for wall-to-wall coverage. | 