Hurricanes Mixing Up Personnel
Aug. 17, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami Hurricanes’ offense and defense has practiced against an all-too familiar opponent the last 11 days at the Greentree Practice Fields: itself. Day-in and day-out, defensive tackles meet up with the same interior lineman, ends try to blow by familiar offensive tackles and it’s almost second nature when cornerbacks attempt to jam the receivers across from them.
Wednesday morning’s practice was no different, thus serving as one factor in head coach Larry Coker’s shuffling of personnel. “Sometimes, you like to change around and see different people work against different people,” Coker said. “You don’t want to go against the same person everyday. You get used to their moves. We want to change that around some.”
There has been plenty of shuffling on defense, where it seems every linebacker combination possible has been on the field at one time or another. Middle linebackers Romeo Davis and Leon Williams have been interchangeable the past week.
“Both guys will compete for the job,” Coker said. “We really haven’t named a starter yet. We’ve run both of them with the ones and twos to let them compete and play. They’re both getting the same amount of work.”
The secondary has followed suit, and has been graced with the presence of three freshmen: safety Kenny Phillips and cornerbacks Randy Phillips and Bruce Johnson. But Coker cautioned against observers who are projecting opening day starters based on personnel combinations on the practice field. His message was clear. “Don’t read too much into the units right now because we’re going to play a lot of people with a lot of units,” Coker said.
One unit that seemed to excel, no matter who was in, was the defensive line. Baraka Atkins, Orien Harris, Dwayne Hendricks and Joe Joseph were all in on sacks during two-minute and pressurized drills in the last 15 minutes of practice. The defensive line played a major role in thwarting each offensive unit it faced in two-minute drills until the last offensive unit of the day scored on Jon Peattie’s field goal on the last play of practice.
“I think (Peattie’s) ready to have a great year,” Coker said. “I’ve been pleased with him. He hit a 56-yard field goal a couple days ago with about 10 yards to spare. To me, he looks a lot more powerful in his legs than he has been.”
On Thursday, the Hurricanes take to the field for their final double session of the preseason with 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. practices.
Notes: Devin Hester was very limited in practice due to a turf-toe like injury… Coker expects linebacker Rocky McIntosh (knee) back later this week and progressing with his participation early next week… Linebacker Leon Williams is rehabbing a pulled muscle. “You have those things this time of year,” Coker said. “Guys get tired and you’re going to have pulls and strains. We just have to treat them, rehab and get back on the field.”
