The long-term demands that fourth-year head coach Ron English has placed on the players in this program paid off on the field in the 2011 season, and the returns from the Eagles' spring performance of 2012 indicate that Eastern Michigan is continuing on its steady, methodical climb up the hill in the Mid-American Conference.

The Eagles come out of spring ball with a confidence and an air about them that would have been almost whimsical or comical just a year ago. They went 2-22 in the first two seasons under English, so there was not much to sport bravado about.

But the 6-6 mark from last season sent Eastern Michigan into spring workouts with a different mindset. Knowing they likely now can compete with anyone in the MAC changed the Eagles and allowed them to use the month ...More