Football Squad Begins Contact

Aug. 12, 1999

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 1999 University of Miami football teamcompleted day four of preseason practice with two, two-hour practicesessions in full pads at the Greentree Practice Facility. The morningsession began with work within individual position groups, followed by theinside run drill and 9-on-9 scrimmaging. In the afternoon, the ‘Canesopened with work on the kicking game and concluded with 11-on-11 action.Head Coach Butch Davis came away pleased with the Hurricanes’ firstworkout in full pads.

“It was an excellent start to practicing with full pads,” saidDavis. “In our full-speed live middle drills, guys were very physical atthe point of attack on both offense and defense. It’s easy to see howexcited the guys are to be here and in full pads.”

Offensive guard Richard Mercier (calf) and junior wide receiver Daryl Jones(hamstring) were limited due to slight injuries suffered Wednesday.Sophomore offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez (ankle) sat out the afternoonsession. Redshirt freshman Ed Wilkins worked with the first team in placeof Gonzalez.