Aug. 8, 2006
Coral Gables – A five-minute sun shower splashed the Greentree Practice Fields as the University of Miami football team took to the gridiron Monday morning, washing away the remnants of the offseason to create a blank slate for the first day of practice. It was the first chance for a revamped coaching staff, 21 newcomers and 79 returnees – the 2006 UM Hurricanes – to drill and practice offense, defense and special teams together.
“As I told the players,” head coach Larry Coker said, “this is the first day of a journey. This is a good start. We had some good things happen today. The thing you like and hope to have is a lot of energy. We certainly had that today.”
Twenty-eight days remain until the season opener against Florida State on Labor Day night at the Orange Bowl. Energy and enthusiasm heading into the preseason is good, but in moderation.
“The word is `consistency,’ and that’s the way you have to play your season,” Coker said. “This is one day. I told the team, `The only thing you can control is today. We had a good start. Let’s finish the day properly and let’s make tomorrow another good day.”
Practice ended much the same as it began, with a very light shower. The precipitation sandwiched an uncharacteristically cool August morning, and with the student-athletes practicing in helmets and shorts, it facilitated an ideal climate for the first day of practice.
“I don’t think anyone was affected by the heat,” Coker said. “It was a fairly nice day today. Usually, as the days wear on, the weather can be a problem, but not today.”
Miami returns to the practice fields at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday.
Notes:Pata moves insideBryan Pata practiced at defensive tackle, moving over from his previous defensive end spot. “We’re going to move Pata inside,” Coker said. “We’re really deep at the ends. I like our ends, and I like Bryan at end. But I think this is a situation where he can help us more inside at defensive tackle.” Coker also noted Pata’s explosiveness and size gives him the potential to control the line of scrimmage and make him a dominant player.
Shields and McCray will factor into Hurricanes plansFreshman receiver Sam Shields and sophomore defensive tackle Teraz McCray are both projected to make an impact in the Hurricanes’ game plan this season. “I see both of them being factors,” Coker said. “Sam Shields will play this year, and Teraz will play where he is. It kind of depends on how the other guys play and how he plays. But I expect both of them to be on the two-deep.”
Orlando Franklin’s status up to NCAA ClearinghouseFreshman offensive tackle Orlando Franklin was not at practice due to a recent NCAA Clearinghouse issue. Coker addressed the issue and stated that there were no updates. “Everything is at the Clearinghouse. The updates will come from them. As soon as he’s cleared, then obviously he’ll be cleared to play.”
Media DayThe Hurricanes held their annual Football Media Day and Photo Day at the Orange Bowl for the first time in many years. The day included interviews with newspapers, radio and television, special photo shoots for numerous newspapers, and then the annual team photo shoots, including individual shots, position groupings, assistant coaches and the annual team photo.