CARDINALS

What we learned from Petrino's spring preview

Jonathan Lintner
@JonathanLintner
Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino answers questions from the media during a national signing day news conference on Wednesday. The Cardinals’ coach came under fire this week for offering a recruit the opportunity to ‘grayshirt’ so close to signing day.

Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino gathered Monday afternoon with reporters inside the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex, where he discussed the Cardinals' upcoming spring practices. The drills start Tuesday and culminate with the April 17 spring game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

--A focus for U of L's players this offseason is doing more than maintaining. "We're thinking that we're going to get stronger," Petrino said. It's in the weight room and conditioning drills that Petrino is starting to see a number of open position battles unfold. "One thing that's important to me in testing is watching their competitiveness – seeing if they get their all-time best," he said, adding that, "Lots did, "and some evens surprised me."

--So, about those position battles. "Obviously, the biggest one is the quarterback position," Petrino said, adding that former starter Will Gardner won't practice this spring, still healing from a knee injury. In the rotation this spring will be Reggie Bonnafon, Kyle Bolin and Tyler Ferguson, a Penn State transfer who had to sit out last season. Ferguson "has a big arm," Petrino said. "He has a lot to learn about the position." The coach said he's not in a hurry to name a starter this spring.

RELATED | Full story on U of L's quarterback race

--Three senior starters are gone from the offensive line. Of course, U of L will have to replace a number of receivers, mainly DeVante Parker and Eli Rogers. It's at defensive back, though, where Petrino may have his tallest task after again losing essentially every starter. Georgia transfer Josh Harvey-Clemons, a junior safety, figures to play immediately. "He's very big and physical," Petrino said. "I always look at that length. On the offensive side, it's hard for the quarterbacks to throw" against that type. "And he can catch the ball. I think that's one of the things that's impressed me."

--U of L's "front-loaded" 2015 schedule is weighing on Petrino's mind, including a season-opening matchup with an Auburn team that features former Florida head coach Will Muschamp at defensive coordinator. "It's a unique opening game to prepare for." Petrino said. In terms of Mushamp, he added that, "We've had a lot of experience playing against each other between Todd (Grantham) and myself." The coach insisted this isn't a rebuilding year, but, "What it is is an opportunity for a lot of guys to step up."

--James Quick is in for a minor position change, moving from wide (outside) receiver to slot. Quick played inside on U of L's 5-wide receiver packages last season, where Petrino saw promise from the former Trinity High School star. "A lot of times you have to make catches that you don't see released from the quarterback's hand," Petrino said. Last year at the slot, "He was very productive. Hopefully, that's an easy transition for him."

--An emerging talent in Petrino's eyes is redshirt sophomore safety Chucky Williams, who lately has "been carrying himself a little bit different. He carries himself as if he expects to start." Petrino descried the Florida native Williams as a back with range who can catch the ball. Another in line to see the field more is redshirt junior Jarrod Barnes, who Petrino said "wants to compete" and "has a lot of drive."

--U of L's returning coordinators, Grantham and Garrick McGee, took to the podium after Petrino. Beforehand, the head coach said their return "just allows us to get better quicker. The carryover in terminology and schemes, I think, it's invaluable we keep the continuity."

--In addition to Gardner at quarterback, others out for spring ball include running back Corvin Lamb, safety Jermaine Reve and linebacker Trevon Young, Petrino said. Linebackers Nick Dawson-Brents and James Burgess will be limited.