Coker Encouraged By Defensive Improvement

Aug. 20, 2002

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami Hurricanes continued preparations for the 2002 football season with a pair of practices on Monday at the Greentree Practice Field on the UM campus. The Hurricanes practiced in full pads on Monday morning before returning for the afternoon session in shells and shorts.

Head coach Larry Coker was encouraged with the continuing improvement of the defense in Monday’s practices.

“They played with a lot of speed and they were chasing the football and we did see a lot of that today,” said Coker. “They played with a lot of intensity and emotion. I think they realized after Saturday (a scrimmage) they need to do that. They seemed to come out sluggish in that scrimmage, but they’ve been a different unit since then.”

The Coach was also pleased with the continued progress of receiver Andre Johnson, who returned to practice Sunday afternoon and has been working with the starting unit since then. The Rose Bowl Co-MVP had been sidelined with a slight hamstring pull prior to practice Sunday afternoon.

“Andre Johnson being back just makes a huge difference,” Coker said. “His presence on the field (was positive) and I think those top four receivers are going to be pretty good, they just need to continue to get better.”

Senior center Brett Romberg, a preseason All-American and Rimington Award finalist from 2001, was held out of practice with a minor injury sustained in Saturday’s scrimmage, but Coker noted that his star offensive lineman could have played were it game day.

Two-a-day practices will continue this week and will remain closed to the public. Regular media policies will continue to be in place. Members of the press will be able to view the first 30 minutes and the final 15 minutes of practices.

The Hurricanes will engage in a Wednesday evening scrimmage at the Orange Bowl beginning at 7:30 p.m. However, that too will be closed to the public with no media access to the practice or for interviews afterward.

The Hurricanes begin the 2002 season Saturday, August 31, versus Florida A&M at the Orange Bowl. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.