Fort Collins – A typical tirade by Colorado State running backs coach Mick Delaney never sounded so good.
A month and a half removed from an intensive care unit for a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, Delaney had a few of his more choice words for junior Michael Myers a week or so ago.
“Coach Delaney is back. Before spring ball even started, he ripped me something pretty good,” Myers said. “So I knew he was back.”
Myers, redshirt freshman John Mosure and returning starter Gartrell Johnson III had several highlight runs in a one-hour situational scrimmage Saturday. It didn’t matter they ran behind a patchwork offensive line.
The running attack, or lack thereof, took much of the blame for 2006’s 4-8 record. It can only improve when 2005 standout Kyle Bell is cleared for contact work.
“I don’t know what he was really sick with, but as a running back corps, we’re doing everything in our power to make sure Coach Delaney is not really stressed out,” Myers said.
Delaney, the only remaining original member of Sonny Lubick’s staff, was recovering from January shoulder surgery when a blood clot moved up his leg and into his lungs.
“If it had gone in the heart or the brain, it would have been sayonara,” Delaney said. “It was a little scary.”
At 65, he could be collecting retirement checks. “Baloney, he said, “I’m going to work until they bury me now. I’m so excited to be back. It really puts it in perspective. Sitting home doing nothing is the worst feeling in the world. ”
He’s still pale and has lost some weight.
“He’s looking better, a lot better every day,” Lubick said. “He hasn’t missed a meeting or practice since we started. I tell him to get out of here, but he’s afraid we’ll figure out we really don’t need him.”
After two good days of practice for the running game, confidence is returning.
“It feels great to go out here and do some good things for the offensive team,” Myers said. “If we have good days like this, it lightens the load on him. It’s good to see him out there doing what he loves to do.”
Myers described the running backs’ mission as “a personal vendetta. No team should ever rush (as badly) as we did last year. … Every time we step on the field, we make an effort to run for positive yards.”
Footnotes
Center Nick Allotta and guard Scott Benedict sat out with hamstring pulls. Backup center Tim Walter moved to guard, leaving walk-on Philip Serchia at center. … Guard Adrian Martinez dislocated a kneecap last week. … Following tradition, there is no practice Monday so the staff can attend opening day at Coors Field.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
