Following its best season in more than a decade, the ASU football team took some time off following its Holiday Bowl loss in December.
But the Sun Devils returned to the practice field Tuesday for their first spring practice of 2008, and coach Dennis Erickson liked what he saw.
"It was good, a lot of enthusiasm," he said. "We executed, obviously if I compare it to a year ago, quite a bit better because we know what we're doing.
"We practiced well all year last year and we did it again today and we'll continue to. That's what our program is all about."
Senior quarterback Rudy Carpenter said the team has a little more swagger than it did a year ago, and that the team believes it has a chance to improve upon its 10-win season.
"We got so close to the top last year … I think everyone is walking around with a little more confidence," he said.
One thing that has given Carpenter confidence is his receiving corps.
When spring practices began a year ago, the wide receivers were a big question mark for the offense, but now they appear to be one of the team's strong suits.
"We always thought of ourselves as one of the strengths," junior Chris McGaha said of the receivers. "But last year we had to prove it. Now everyone knows what we're capable of, and we're getting the credit we always thought we deserved."
Diamond on the mind for wide receiver Jones
Along with football, senior wide receiver Mike Jones plays baseball for the Sun Devils and will be spending most of his spring on the diamond.
"I've told Michael his time is with baseball," Erickson said. "When he doesn't practice [baseball], he can come out. He'll come out in sweats and run routes and do all those things, but we won't scrimmage him."
He was at Tuesday's practice but just as a spectator.
Do the o-line shuffle
Of the 119 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, only two allowed more sacks than ASU last season, which has led Erickson to make changes.
In the offseason, sophomore Jon Hargis was switched from the defensive line to the offensive side of the ball, and he lined up at left tackle on Tuesday.
ASU's best offensive lineman from last season, center Mike Pollak, graduated and it will be up to junior Thomas Altieri to take his place.
Carpenter, who has started all 31 of his ASU games behind Pollak, said it was "different" with a new center but that he believes in his new one.
"Mike Pollak was such a huge part of our team. He was a leader for us for two years. He was a huge presence in the huddle," Carpenter said. "But Thomas is going to do a good job.
"I have confidence in him. We'll just have to see how it goes in spring."
Rounding out the front five Tuesday was junior Richard Tuitu'u at right tackle, and junior Shawn Lauvao and senior Paul Fanaika at the guards.
Depth chart rundown
Senior Dane Guthrie is back at his original position, tight end. Guthrie was switched to defensive end last season but with Brent Miller graduating, Guthrie looks to be ASU's No. 1 tight end.
"I know one thing," Erickson said. "Dane Guthrie can run and catch. He's got a chance to be fairly good."
The first team linebackers are junior Mike Nixon in the middle, junior Travis Goethel on the strong side and junior Ryan McFoy on the weak side.
Junior defensive back Travis Smith was taking reps with the first-team defense, but junior college transfer Terrell Carr, who was taking reps with the second team, will challenge Smith for the starting spot when the season begins.
Reach the reporter at: samuel.good@asu.edu.
