Gophers coach Tim Brewster said his team concluded its first practice of the spring by doing a no-huddle session. That tells you how much farther ahead the offense is this spring. A year ago the offense was trying to figure out which way was up on the first day.

Here are some of Brewster’s thoughts after the first practice.

– Brewster was excited about the play of QB Adam Weber, saying he looks so much more comfortable this spring. Weber is getting 50 percent of the reps and the other QBs are splitting the rest. Brewster said he has challenged Weber to be more of a vocal leader and he saw some of that today. Said he took charge of the huddle more.

– It’s obvious that junior college safety Tramaine Brock has already become a Brewster favorite. Brewster had more praise for him today. He said Brock can play either safety position and is also fast enough to play cornerback. “He is a special football player, a special guy,” Brewster said. “He’s extremely confident. He has great, explosive twitch to his body.”

– Defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg had a strong first day and made a few plays at the end of practice. I chatted with Willie afterward and he said his right wrist finally feels good. He said he wears a brace in practice but he has no limitations with it.

– Willie said the new defense is a lot different for the line. “(Last year) we did a right and left D-end and a right and left D-tackle,” he said. “Now, we have a power (end ), a rush and a tackle and a nose,” VanDeSteeg said. “It’s a big difference for us. The rush is more of like a standup linebacker. That kind of stuff. It’s way different.”

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