Offense Improves as Fall Practice Continues
Aug. 19, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami head coach Larry Coker praised the improvement of his offense on Thursday following a two-hour, full-pads workout at the Greentree Practice Fields.
“I think the offense was sharper,” Coker said. “We are starting to get better on offense, and that is very encouraging. The running backs are really starting to get in sync, especially those top two or three guys, and I include Quadtrine Hill in that, also. He has had an excellent fall camp. They really are starting to get in sync with the linemen.
“Hopefully, we can keep our linemen intact and healthy so we can get a solid group that can get a lot of work in together and get better.”
The Hurricanes focused on getting younger players snaps in a short scrimmage at the end of practices.
“We ended not getting the young players as many opportunities as we wanted yesterday,” Coker said. “We wanted to get at least seven or eight plays on video for them. I think that will be good for them. The scrimmage yesterday (Aug. 18) was good for us. I think we are going to learn a lot from it about where this team is going. I think some guys really started to stand out, like Jon Beason and Kyle Wright.”
Wright, a redshirt freshman from Danville, Calif., is showing improvement every day for the Hurricanes and impressing the coaching staff. “I just think practice has given him a chance to get better,” Coker said. “He’s older and has been here for a year, and he is beginning to get comfortable in the system.”
The coaching staff has moved Tony Tella to right tackle to get some work in with Rashad Butler out with a sprained ankle.
The Hurricanes are scheduled to practice twice on Friday, with the morning workout beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the afternoon session starting at 3:30 p.m. Friday’s workouts are the final practices open to the public this year.
The Atlantic Coast Conference selected Jacksonville’s Alltel Stadium on Thursday to host the ACC Football Championship Game in 2005 and 2006.
“I hope we get a chance to be there,” quipped Coker. “That is a great stadium and a great city for bowl games and festivities of that type. I think it is great from the standpoint of a warm weather climate and it is great for our fans.”
Miami opens the regular season on Monday night, Sept. 6 against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. For more ticket information visit www.hurricanesports.com or call 1-800-GO-CANES.
