Football Practice Report - Monday, March 24

March 24, 2003

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Cool weather with sunny and breezy conditions greeted the Miami Hurricanes football team as the team began its second week of spring practice with a two-hour workout at Greentree Practice Field on the University of Miami campus. The Hurricanes will continue spring practice Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Greentree.

The Hurricanes practiced in full pads on Monday and spent the final 45 minutes of practice in some full-squad play with some seven-on-seven drills at the final part of the workout. On the injury front, tailback Jarrett Payton returned to full work after missing Saturday’s practice with a strained Achilles tendon. Head coach Larry Coker praised the work of the Hurricanes’ defensive ends after the practice.

“The defensive ends are a concern for us, but I was happy with what I saw from them today,” Coker said. “We know we should be fine inside (at tackle) with the three players we have there, but we’re looking for people to step up at the ends and I was encouraged today. Kevin Everett (a junior college transfer) is starting to pick up some things and, when he does, I can tell he’s going to be quite a player.”

When asked about UM’s continuing competition at quarterback, Coker praised both Brock Berlin and Derrick Crudup.

“Both Brock and Derrick had good days today,” Coker said. “Of course, they’re further along than Marc (Guillon) and Kyle (Wright) in their overall development because they’re older. All those guys are competing hard and they practiced hard today. I don’t have any complaints with any of them.”

Monday’s practice was the fifth of 15 sessions that will conclude on Thursday, April 10.

All spring practices are closed to the public with the exception of the Friday, March 28, workout at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and the Spring Game slated for Saturday, April 5, at the Orange Bowl.