Written By: James Jernigan
(Charlotte, NC) Louisville Cardinals come out to a non-surprising positive appearance at the 2017 ACC Kickoff. With the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Lamar Jackson, and top cornerback Jaire Alexander the Cards are looking for an explosive, and national title season. They are coming off an injury filled 2016 season. Luckily everyone is healthy, and back up to par coming into the practices coming up. Head Coach Bobby Petrino looked to the audience as he took the harsh criticism of his offense from last season with a smile saying "As far as offense goes, we have more depth on the offensive line. That will help us. There will be competition. It'll make everybody better there. Obviously, our offensive line takes a little bit of criticism from last season, but it's on the entire offense, on me, on our coaches, on our wide receivers, running backs, tight ends, quarterbacks. Any time that we get sacked or have a negative play on offense, it's everybody, so it wasn't just the offensive line."
A strong focus of today’s conference was based around the Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. His multiple turnovers, accompanied with the last three losses of the season. The Cardinals have a team set up now with more depth, and a strong offense that will allow for Jackson to lay back in the pocket, get his back leg under his hip and allow for some bigger overall plays coming from the Cardinal backfield. Petrino continued talking about Jackson bringing up how he never has an issue of taking a snap. However, in the offseason, he has been working on his footwork and working on his hip movement. It comes to help knowing that as Petrino puts it “he comes to work with a smile on his face, and an amazing work ethic putting in 110% daily, boosting his fellow teammates to that level as well”. This highly complements how The Cardinals have grown over this offseason, into a more cohesive unit.
When the question was asked “What’s the one investment you want on improvement” a great answer was given by Head Coach Bobby Petrino. “One of the things that is great about Lamar is he listens, and he sees himself getting better, and loves getting coached. We worked on progression reads, understanding combo patterns, and sets (set in the pocket, back leg under his hip), being 100% in the run game. He needs to be disciplined and be level headed. We got in trouble last year with the guessing game.” The primary focus this offseason is to get Jackson able to get more snaps under season.
When the question was asked “What’s the one investment you want on improvement” a great answer was given by Head Coach Bobby Petrino. “One of the things that is great about Lamar is he listens, and he sees himself getting better, and loves getting coached. We worked on progression reads, understanding combo patterns, and sets (set in the pocket, back leg under his hip), being 100% in the run game. He needs to be disciplined and be level headed. We got in trouble last year with the guessing game.” The primary focus this offseason is to get Jackson able to get more snaps under season.
With summer practices starting July 31st again and lasting in a total of 28 practices, and one weekend off before the season starts. The school has adopted a new rule to rid themselves of two-a-day practices. Coach Petrino says it has taken a bit to get used to; however it has been better for the players and has taken a bit of adjusting and realigning things within his proven iron will of The Cardinals, and Coach Petrino bearing down on them wanting change. Jackson had one of the best quotes of the day focusing on his goals for this year, as well as what his game plan is for the season “Well, you know, start off with giving my all. We start with Purdue, and each and every game, just going to go out there and try to get a victory. I'm trying to win more games than last year, and the biggest goal is the national championship.”
In closing, the season for The Cardinals looks like a great comeback from the falter at the end of last year. They have a few stake games in FSU and Clemson. If they can overcome the two teams, then they will be set up looking for that National Title.
In closing, the season for The Cardinals looks like a great comeback from the falter at the end of last year. They have a few stake games in FSU and Clemson. If they can overcome the two teams, then they will be set up looking for that National Title.