With a week of spring practices under their belt, the Troy Trojans went into week two on the turf at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Tuesday. 

Head coach Gerad Practice likes what he’s seen thus far from his Trojans.

“I love our football team and our staff,” Parker said. “That’s what we do know already. I love our numbers, it’s far different than where we were a year ago. We have high numbers to be able to practice at a high level. There’s a lot to like and a lot to fix. There’s plenty to fix but I feel good about where we’re at in the process of getting better.”

One thing that’s clear in practices thus far is the competitiveness on display. That was perfectly illustrated during a brief team scrimmage at the end of practice. On one drive, the Troy defense forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Just a few plays later, quarterback Goose Crowder heaved a 40-yard touchdown pass.

“If you’re a part of a good practice, and a good program, there is some jabs and big punches thrown on both sides,” said Parker. “That’s what you saw out there. It’s good that we’re disrupting the football more on defense to start spring camp and we’re generating explosive (plays) on offense as we learn each other and get used to it. Its always a little longer on offense (to get going) but I do love these jabs back and forth. I love how we’re running to the football (on defense), too.” 

The message that Parker has been giving his team during spring practices is “chase better,” rather than chasing individual statistics or even wins. The wins, he said, will come with that.

“We have such high expectations and it can be daunting to worry about what I obtain as an individual or as a team,” Parker explained. “It’s too much to worry about and carry with you. My reminder to my staff and our team, until the end of the year, is going to be not to worry about carrying all of that. If we’re ‘chasing better,’ that’s a lot less to carry than to think about all the results and statistics.

“It’s too much. I want to keep it simple for our guys, keep it simple and take all that load off and I’ll carry all that crap. You just worry about improving and let us love on you and coach you and we’ll be happy with the end results.” 

Speaking of Chasing Better, Parker was on hand for Troy Basketball’s Sun Belt Conference Championship win on Monday in Pensacola, Fla., despite having football practice on Tuesday morning.

“In one year at being at Troy, Scott Cross has been phenomenal and his wife, Jen, has been phenomenal to me and my family, as have many others,” Parker emphasized. “You quickly develop a respect and admiration for a guy that does things the right way and gives his guts to his program and has fought his ass off for a long time. To see that program, that staff, those players and that family of Troy there last night and win that was humbling for me.

“That’s what family does, you show up for people. You drive a little more and you do a little extra. You do that for people and family. I don’t think there is any question that everyone around here would do that for us.”
Parker said that Cross had a message for him when he saw him after the game.

“The first thing Scott Cross said to me on that court is, ‘You’re next,’ and I thought this guy is thinking about us rather than what they just accomplished,” Parker said. “That tells you who Scott Cross is and why they’re champions. They’re special.” 

Troy is back on the practice field on Thursday and Saturday mornings.