Summer starts, and I'm thinking college football. Looking ahead, man. And 2-a-day practices aren't that far away. I guess things have never really changed for me. I can remember obsessing over football during June and July, as a player. It would happen during a summer baseball game. Or when I was hanging out by the pool. Or even laying around in the evening, with the family, watching a little TV.
   Will I be ready to go come August? Made me quit what I was doing and go get another workout in. For me, summer was about 3 things...playing baseball, throwing the football, and enjoying the downtime from school. I was doing all 3 pretty much every day. And it was mostly fun. Although the weight room and running summer sessions were a challenge. 
   My football motivation during the summer was obsessing over my fitness in the severe heat. The conditioning test, when we reported was real pressure...in front of the team and the coaching staff/last thing you want to do is look bad/they lose confidence in your ability to help the team win). And also, I'd be dwelling on being able to thrive in the 4th quarter of an early season battle. Those two thoughts were real motivation. There was always time for "another workout". Run once early in the morning. Workout in the afternoon. Run in the evening. Train in the heat. Air conditioning was just poison.  
   The thought of letting the guys down kept me grinding during the summer months. We wanted to win. 
   Wonder who wants to win now? Ponder down at FSU, with Jimbo in charge? Jordan Jefferson at LSU? Matt Barkley, under Kiffin at USC? Brantley finally gets his shot at Florida, so you know he's working overtime to be ready. Kyle Parker is busy playing baseball at Clemson, but he's thinking football. Nesbitt at Georgia Tech knows he has to be fit this season. Aaron Murray thinks about winning at South Carolina every day. His leadership ability will be tested this summer, as he guides the Georgia receivers thru passing drills. Alabama's Greg McElroy is absolutely loving life, with all that talent surrounding him. 
   Saw where LIndy's rated CF's top QBs: 1- Boise State's Kellen Moore, 2- Ryan Mallett, 3- Washington's Jake Locker, 4- Houston's Case Keenum, 5- Terrelle Pryor. 
   My Top 3 reads like this: 1- Terrelle Pryor, 2- Ryan Mallett, 3- Jake Locker. It's these 3 and everybody else, heading into the season.