Air Force Academy – A new knee and a new frame of mind has Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry back in a groove after the first week of practice.
DeBerry said Wednesday he has more spring in his step, thanks to knee replacement surgery in April to fix an unstable and arthritic knee.
“I feel confident with my knee, whereas before I didn’t,” DeBerry said. “There was constant pain before, even though I ran on it. It has been a plus. I don’t even think about it anymore.”
Before the surgery, he favored his right leg, which he felt made him look old. But with the Falcons’ Sept. 9 opener at Tennessee on the horizon, he feels rejuvenated.
“I don’t feel old,” said DeBerry, 68, who is in his 23rd season as AFA coach. “I think I can do anything I want to on my new knee. I choose not to run on it just because I don’t want to wear it out.”
With classes starting today, the Falcons will switch to afternoon practices. DeBerry placed importance on getting stability at the kicking game and setting the linebackers. With junior Drew Fowler leading the linebackers, seniors Joey Keller and Jared Baxley, juniors Austin Randle and Ben Ryan and sophomore Brandon Reeves are in the mix as well. Ryan is a 6-foot-1, 215-pound graduate of Regis High School.
Fowler (hamstring) has missed three days of practice, but is expected back Saturday. Junior free safety Bobby Giannini (viral infection) also has missed practices, but is expected back this week.
The loss of sophomore Ryan Harrison to suspension has given special attention to the punting and kicking.
Freshman Jacob Branstetter has come on to rate a look at both jobs.
Senior Chris Carp was at the top of the depth chart at punter and junior Zach Sasser at the kicking spot when practices began.
Footnotes
Quarterback Shaun Carney, defensive end Gilberto Perez, defensive back Chris Sutton and offensive lineman Curtis Grantham were elected AFA’s team captains by a vote of players and coaches. … Tickets for the Falcons’ Nov. 11 home game against Notre Dame ($35 and $20) go on sale Friday.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
