Your team can have all the talent, speed, size and coaching in the world, but if you aren't healthy none of that matters.
The health of the Portland State Vikings football team is vital to Head Coach Bruce Barnum as they head into their second week of practice on Monday. Last season, Barnum's team lost top receiver Darien Chase before the season, All-American Anthony Adams just two games in, then progressively; running back Andrew Van Buren, middle linebacker and top tackler Parker McKenna, and sackmaster defensive end VJ Malo. Five of the Vikings' very best were shelved for all or most of Big Sky Conference play in 2022. That made for a bad recipe as the Vikings went a disappointing 3-5 in league.
Seniors last season, Adams and Malo are gone. But McKenna, Chase and Van Buren are back, healthy and getting their reps in preseason practice. That makes Barnum smile.
"That's money," he said. "The last few years we have had too many injuries. We have had to rely on a lot of depth, which is always a challenge at the FCS level. You end up playing guys who are good, but young and inexperienced.
"Those guys (McKenna, Chase, Van Buren) are here now. They are healthy and playing well. That's the trick in FCS football, if you think about 2015 (the Vikings' playoff season), I don't think we lost anybody that year.
It is no coincidence that those three players' respective positions - linebacker, wide receiver and running back - are three of the deepest and most talented groups on the team right now.
"I have to keep everybody on this field (to practice and play games)," said Barnum. "I want to give kudos to Alec (Olson), our strength coach, and (athletic trainer) Mikey (Fanning) and his staff for keeping our kids strong and healthy."
Speaking of young and inexperienced players, the Vikings' much-ballyhooed 2023 recruiting class is finally on campus and practicing as well, The 21-member National Letter of Intent class was ranked by 247Sports.com as the best in the Big Sky in 2023, and third-best in all of FCS. In reality though, most first-year freshmen don't play as they spend the season getting stronger and learning the system. But…. what about this group? Will a few of the new Viking youngsters contribute this season?
"That is a great question, and one for after the first scrimmage," Barnum said, referring to next Saturday's first full scrimmage. "There are a handful in that group that might add to us this season. As a freshman, either you don't play, you play up to four games (to maintain redshirt status), or you are part of our depth. It will be like putting sprinkles on the birthday cake. Those guys will be the sprinkles if we get some of them out there and playing this season."
Saturday's practice, just the third of preseason, was the first in shoulder pads. That meant the team could run live plays at "thud" tempo. It also begins the separation of players.
The ebb and flow of early season practice produced two big plays. RS FR S Duhron Goodman made a remarkable, leaping, one-handed interception of JR QB Dante Chachere pass. Just a few plays later the offense answered. Solid blocking up front gave JR RB Jobi Malary a lane and he broke free on a long touchdown run.
"I saw some good things on defense. Up front, our front seven is better," Barnum said. "They are bigger, faster and there are more of them. Maybe that means a few more punts from the opponents this year."
SONG OF THE DAY: Saturday's practice featured Bruce Springsteen's live gospel version from Nov. 19, 2006 of "This Little Light of Mine" on the music playlist running on the loud speaker. This followed an inspired selection of the "Sanford and Son" theme song on the music playlist during Thursday's opening practice.
VIKING NEWS
Aug. 3: DAY ONE MUSINGS
Aug. 2: SEASON PREVIEW
July 31: VIKING FOOTBALL TAILGATE AT OREGON
Upcoming Practice Schedule
Mon., Aug. 7, 10:15-12-45
Tues., Aug. 8, 10:15-12:45
Wed., Aug. 9, 10:15-12:45
Thurs., Aug. 10, 10:15-12:45
Fri., Aug. 11, 10:15-12:45
Sat., Aug. 12, 10:15-12:45, Scrimmage
Sun., Aug. 13, Off Day
