Miami Goes Full Contact
April 4, 2000
CORAL GABLES, FL – The University of Miami football team continued spring practice, with a two hour practice in helmets and full pads, at the Greentree Practice Facility on the UM campus.
Following pre-practice warm-ups, the team broke off into the offense and defense and worked on their formations and plays. After the offensive and defensive workouts, the team worked on special teams and blitz packages. The practice ended with an 11-on-11 scrimmage.
Head coach Butch Davis first spoke about the physicality of the today’s practice.
“Today was one of the more physical days that we’ve had. We had a major short yardage and goalline scrimmage. We then had a full speed blitz drill and finished up with 45 plays of scrimmage work.”
Coach Davis then explained what he is looking for the rest of the week.
“The rest of the week the things that we need to work on are our the two-minute and nickel packages. Saturday at the scrimmage we would like the coach’s to step back and see how far the players can go by themselves.”
Davis also gave his thoughts on Jarrett Payton being back at practice with his right hand in a cast.
“Jarrett has caught ten balls and not had one fumble or dropped ball since he’s had that cast. We may put everybody in one. Really though, it was good to get him back to work. This is really a time that he needs to work on fundamentals.”
Finally, coach Davis discussed the new uniforms that the Hurricanes will unveil at CanesFest on Saturday, April 8 at the Orange Bowl.
“We’d been toying with the idea for a few years and with Nike being involved with some of the uniform switches in recent years, with the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, they had been talking to us and doing some drawings. Then they finally came up with something that didn’t mess with the tradition of the program or the identity, but put more of a racier, speedier, faster look to them. The players started seeing glimpses of them, as samples would come, and they had a few ideas.”
The Hurricanes will resume practice on Wednesday, April 5 at 3:00 p.m. at the Greentree Practice Facility on the Coral Gables Campus.
Spring Practice will conclude with CanesFest and the annual Spring Game at the Orange Bowl on Saturday, April 8. This year’s CanesFest will feature the unveiling of the Hurricanes new uniforms, logos and designs for the 2000 season. Events for CanesFest will include season-ticket select-a-seat, “Ask the Coach” session, Fun Zone interactive area and an autograph session following the game with Hurricane players and coaches.
For ticket information for the upcoming 2000 college football season, please contact the Hurricane Ticket Box Office at 1-800-GO CANES or (305) 284-CANES in Dade County.
