<p>August 06, 2010
FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE</p>
<p>When coach Steve Fairchild talked about the strides his Colorado State team has made, he pointed to the players being together in the summer. </p>
<p>We have to roll in right about now off the summer program with guys in great shape, guys who have played a lot of football in the summer on their own, theyve thrown a lot, theyve run a lot of routes and theyre ready to go. Its crucial.</p>
<p>Troy Calhoun doesnt complain that his players arent all together in the summer, but its hard to ignore the difference for Air Force. Almost every other Division I team works out and the leaders organize drills in summer, but thats not an option for the Falcons. </p>
<p>When Falcons players are together they can run some seven-on-seven drills to stay sharp, but good luck getting them all together. Among Air Forces top players this summer, cornerback Anthony Wright Jr. was at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, receiver Jonathan Warzeka was at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, safety Jon Davis was at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, quarterback Tim Jefferson was at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, and running back Asher Clark was at Travis Air Force Base in California. Tight end Josh Freeman was stationed all the way out in Japan.</p>
<p>Theyre everywhere, Calhoun said.</p>
<p>In the big picture, that will do far more for the cadets lives than a few extra football drills. But in the world of football, thats another obstacle Air Force has that most other teams dont deal with.</p>
<p>Another hurdle in season preparation is Air Forces lack of two-a-day practices. The Falcons wont have any. Two-a-days arent allowed in the first few days of training camp, per NCAA rules, and Air Force started classes on Thursday, far earlier than most schools. That disadvantage isnt so tough, because the Falcons can start earlier than most teams to get in all their practices.</p>
<p>But Calhoun needs to trust that when the players are spread out across the world, they are putting in some side work to get ready for camp.</p>
<p>If it means a lot to you, and every year you find a different way to say it, you dont care how hot the pavement is that I cant cross because my rubber soles werent good enough, or how hard the thunder was or how hard the torrential hail was, Calhoun said. The good ones will find a way. It may not be the best, it may not be the most plush platform but you work.</p>
<p>This summer cornerback Reggie Rembert was a squadron commander, in charge of 128 basic cadets and the 38 cadre members in charge of the basic cadets. Fullback Jared Tew did a powered flight program, then the assault course on basic training with a leave in between. They both knew that time away from their sport in summer was good, and they can overcome the challenges it presents for the team.</p>
<p>Its real tough, Rembert said. We have people all around the world. You have to trust your guys to put in the work.</p>
<p>It can be challenging, but I dont think its too big of a disadvantage, Tew said. During some periods theres a big group of guys that are here. We know what its like to be a cadet and know what it entails.</p>