Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz says running back Jermelle Lewis has been healthy during spring drills. Lewis injured his knee in spring workouts a year ago and with Fred Russell opting for the N-F-L draft, he is at the top of the depth chart at running back. He says Lewis looks very good despite some stiffness and soreness. But he says they expect to see him improve every day.Ferentz says they try to limit a player’s exposure to injury but at the same time get the kind of practice needed to improve. He says you have to be smart about how you practice, but you can’t run scared. He says Lewis’ injury came in a non-contact drill, and he says most of the knee injuries he’s seen come from guys making plants. He says they way they practice has been pretty intelligent.Former Davenport North standout and Nebraska transfer Marques Simmons is getting a look after serving on the scout team last Fall. He says it’s fun for Simmons to be involved in the offense now. He says they’re real high on him and are anxious to see how he pans out.
