"We Walk!" #6: RB Michael Spanos, Part II
Note: This
second "On the Spot"-style interview expands on our earlier piece, which told
the story of the Spanos family and #4's path to Palo Alto. Immediately following
Friday's practice, "Emeritus" had a chance to focus a
bit more on "Michael Spanos: the running back".
The Bootleg: OK, we are on Friday following fall ball practice #5 with #4,
walk-on freshman running back Michael Spanos.
What are you bringing to the table as a Cardinal running
back? Why should we be excited about your being on this football team?
Michael Spanos: I trained really hard in the off-season, I
am not the biggest guy, but I think I bring a lot of speed and quickness, things
I have been working on, so hopefully it pays off and they find a spot for me.
I'm just going to work hard and hopefully, something happens.
TB: We have been
watching you out there, but can you provide a single adjective that
describes your game?
MS:
Ooh... I guess I try to be "elusive". Not sure how to best describe it.
"Versatile" maybe as well - I have been working on my hands and have
done some speed training.I think I've always been
pretty quick, but I want to develop that breakaway speed, that "second throttle"
was what I needed to work on.
TB: You
want your opponents see the back of your jersey, right? You are wearing
jersey #4 which was worn by running back Anthony Bookman (1994-1997), one
of the fastest guys every to put on the Cardinal & White! You mentioned Toby
and Blaise Johnson in Part I of our interview, whose running style are you
trying to emulate?
MS:
Everyone has their own style, I mean, Toby is
ridiculous.
TB: Think you
can get that big in the chest?
MS:
(Shaking his head in utter disbelief) No, no. I have never seen someone like
that before. It's just ridiculous!
I am trying to focus more on being elusive and quick. If I have
got to lower my shoulder, put some power into it, I will.
TB: What kind of offense did you run in high
school?
MS: My
junior year, we were in kind of a "wing T". The next year it was a totally
different type of offensive system - more of a spread. We went
shotgun, a little bit of wing. We did a lot I got a chance to get out into
patterns quite a bit.
TB: Did you go
both ways?
MS: I did my junior year. Senior year I
didn't. Focused on running last year.
TB: Then they probably wanted
to protect you...What about your pass-blocking? If you do get in there - as you
said you are not a "big" guy...
MS: Oh
yeah, I am definitely working on that! Ready to chop and take some legs off!
Make the sacrifice.
TB: What will it
take for you to view your first year here as successful, realistically?
MS: If
I can just find my way onto the field, any way. I want to get through
camp and see what happens. After playing (as opposed to watching) every
single year in high school - that was my goal coming in, to work my way, do
really well in camp. and find some way way to get on the football field.
TB: (Looking over his
equipment) Any signature gear for you? Any trademark towel?
MS:
Nope. Nope. Starting new!
TB: The other guys are accepting you, not treating you
as a "walk-on"?
MS:
Not at all, they are really cool, neat guys.
TB: Good luck, fella.
Who knows, maybe we will see some of the "Spanos Express" in the
future?
MS: That would be awesome, thank you very
much!
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