Receiver learns August is critical

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 8, 2008 | by Jake Schaller

A year ago at this time, Air Force senior wide receiver Spencer Armstrong was in a red jersey. And out of coach Troy Calhoun's good graces.

A red jersey at Calhoun's practices signifies a player cannot participate in drills because of injury. And because Calhoun values toughness and durability, the coach sees red when he sees red jerseys.

"He's got to be able to count on you, trust you," said Armstrong, who entered this preseason healthy and listed as the backup to junior Sean Quintana at X receiver. "And I agree with him. If you're not out here showing him that you're ready to play, he's not going to play you."

Armstrong knows. He injured his hamstring two days into the 2007 preseason and spent the rest of camp on the sideline. It rendered the potential he flashed a year earlier insignificant, as he tumbled on the depth chart. He did not play in the ffrst ffve games and did not make a catch until the 10th.

"You really didn't see him start to emerge until probably the ffrst of November," Calhoun said. "He didn't do a lot on game day in September and October, just because he didn't put his work in during August."

But the 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior from Henderson, Nev., is putting in work this August. And he should give the Falcons an intriguing weapon. He has something Air Force teams typically lack - - speed.

Armstrong runs the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, and he showed his ability as a deep threat in last season's game against Army. His second catch of the year was a 46-yard touchdown reception from Shaun Carney, who that day said Armstrong is "a guy that can really run by people."

That makes Armstrong a nice complement to the 6-2, 200-pound Quintana and 6-5, 205-pound sophomore Kevin Fogler, who has emerged as one of the top three X receivers. (Calhoun even ranked Fogler ffrst at the position after Wednesday's second practice, with Quintana second and Armstrong third).

"You look at both Quintana and Fogler, and they're both bigger bodies that are really long and can go extend and get the football and be those possession guys," Air Force receivers coach Mike Thiessen said. "And then you look at Spencer as a guy that can really stretch the ffeld.... That's a pretty good combination."

Armstrong said he likes "the homerun ball," but needs to work on "the short game."

Calhoun said Armstrong needs to be more consistent. Not wearing a red jersey is a good start.

"There's a time you just reach where you're a senior, and I want to see him completely assert himself," Calhoun said. "The thing he has been, he's been much tougher mentally and physically, and I saw that in the second half of last year, too."

Injury update

A good news, bad news day for Air Force.

The good news was twofold. First, junior strong safety Chris Thomas had an MRI test taken on his right knee, and "he's going to be ffne," Calhoun said. Thomas, who has a minor sprain, should return to practice by Tuesday or Wednesday.

In addition, junior left guard Nick Charles, who missed the ffrst six days of practice with an injured hamstring, took part in portions of Thursday's practice, though, "he's still nursing it a little bit," Calhoun said.

The bad news was senior tight end Travis Dekker, the Falcons' leading returning receiver from 2007, sprained his right ankle during 7-on-7 passing drills. Dekker, who Thursday was nominated for the 2008 Allstate Insurance and American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, spent about 10 minutes on the ground on the sideline as trainers examined his ankle, and did not return to action.

"He's going to be out for a while," Calhoun said. "Probably for at least seven to 10 days."

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