Spring Practice Resumes, As Hurricanes Return From Spring Break

March 22, 2005

Coral Gables – The Miami Hurricanes returned from spring break and resumed their spring practice today. The team went through its fourth day of practice at the Greentree Practice Fields.

The Miami defense is ahead of the offense, according to head coach Larry Coker. “Defensively, we’re really moving around pretty good,” Coker said. “We have a lot of guys playing hard and making plays. Offensively, we hadn’t practiced in a week, and it looked like it. We’re rusty and we struggled in pass protection, although we did some good things in the running game. But we need consistency and need to do a better job protecting the passer. If we have time, our passers throw completions.”

The team finished the practice with an extended – and spirited – old fashioned Oklahoma drill. In that drill, two mats are placed about three yards apart and a running back must run through the space occupied by one offensive blocker and one defensive player, who are pitted in a one-on-one drill with ferocity. The defensive player must try to shed the block and tackle the oncoming running back who is looking for the elusive running lane.

Defensive tackle Orien Harris underwent minor shoulder surgery during the team’s week off to repair an injury. “He’ll miss the remainder of the spring,” Coker said, “and be back in time for summer workouts and for the fall. It was an on-going thing that needed to be taken care of. He could have probably finished spring, but it’s something we wanted to get done now. We know what Orien can do.”The Hurricanes will practice at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Greentree Practice Fields.

THURSDAY NIGHT PRACTICE AT MIAMI-DADE NORTH CAMPUS The Miami Hurricanes will practice on Thursday evening at Traz Powell Stadium on the North Campus of Miami-Dade Community College. The practice, which begins at 6:00 p.m., is open to the public. The stadium is located at 11380 N.W. 27th Avenue.