April 8 Football Spring Practice Report

April 8, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team wrapped up the third week of spring practice Thursday afternoon with a two-hour workout in full pads at the Greentree Practice Fields in Coral Gables.

“We had a nice physical practice today,” head coach Larry Coker said. “The defense has really stepped up and has done a great job. We had some guys make some great individual plays – a couple of nice passes by Brock (Berlin) and catches by (Darnell) Jenkins. Kyle Wright did a nice job and Buck Ortega stepped up at tight end.”

The Miami coaching continued to work out the fine details of the passing game Thursday.

“I think (the passing game) is a rhythm thing,” Coker said. “I think we have to use our quarterbacks some in the run. We had some scrambles today for some key first downs. The big key is not to get in any difficult situations.”

The defensive secondary’s improvements this spring have also caught Coker’s eye.

“I think (the secondary) is going to be good. I really like what I have seen from the secondary. We need to get Glenn Sharpe back. We have a leader in Antrel Rolle and I think Greg Threat is going to be awfully good. Kelly Jennings is a Phillip Buchanon-type corner.”

The Hurricanes will take the remainder of the week off before returning for the fourth and final week of practice Monday, April 12 and wrap-up the week with the annual Spring Game and CanesFest Saturday, April 17 at the Orange Bowl.