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With only 11 days until the 2014 season begins, Todd Graham and company have officially begun game preparations for their opener against Weber State. On Monday morning, the Sun Devils simulated what a Tuesday practice would be like during game week.
Graham and the coaching staff have taken a different approach to how they prepare the starting units. Instead of running the third team against the first team in practice, the coaching staff has been running the second unit against the first unit.
"We are very, very young at a lot of places," said Graham. "We need a lot more more fundamental development. Our biggest thing is getting guys to operate in the scheme. I just think we just need to get better."
Secondary Battle
With the season opener rapidly approaching, several key position battles are ongoing. Two such battles are in the secondary, where the Sun Devils must replace three all-conference performers.
Lloyd Carrington has established himself as the starting boundary corner, and as of Monday, Graham said that Solomon Means has the lead in the race to be the starting field corner. However, junior Kweishi Brown is closing the gap as he continues to learn the defense.
"Kweishi is flat coming on, he's more physical than any corner we have," said Graham. The head coach stated that right behind Brown are true freshmen Armand Perry and Tyler Whiley.
Demarious Randall has set himself up to be the starting field safety when the Sun Devils open the season. Marcus Ball and James Johnson competing to start opposite him at boundary safety.
Most expect Ball to start if he is healthy, however Graham does not know if the redshirt-freshman will be available when the season kicks off. Graham also stated that the team will adjust personal based on who they are playing.
Injury Notes
- Carlos Mendoza was on crutches today after injuring his knee at Camp T.
- Marcus Ball traded his green non-contact jersey for a gold, limited contact jersey. Ball was shadowing James Johnson most of practice and Graham does not know when he will be available.
- Freshman running back Kalen Bellage did not have a green jersey but was not participating in drills that the media was allowed to observe.