Hurricanes Go in Full Pads for Fifth Practice
Aug. 11, 2006
Coral Gables – The Hurricanes dressed in full gear for the first time this preseason for Friday morning’s practice at the Greentree Practice Fields. While full contact and big hits may have been on the minds of the players, it wasn’t head coach Larry Coker’s first order of business.
“We got some good things done today,” Coker said. “We’re playing fast on defense. We’re probably going to be a little bit tired. It’s pretty hot and pretty humid, but that’s when we have to press on and press through it.”
Nothing extraordinary stuck out on the first day of hitting, beyond the attitude of the Hurricanes and the performance of their coaches. “I don’t want to be redundant,” Coker said. “The coaches are doing a real great job of teaching and pushing the players and motivating them. I see a lot of good things happening.”
Just as the four days before today, the sun beat down on the players. Several players took a dip in large bins filled with water after leaving the field to cool off. With temperatures expected to stay high for tomorrow’s first double session, Coker had his players’ health on his mind.
“The thing I want to make sure of is that with this one practice, the players going to get rested and hydrated to be ready to go for tomorrow,” Coker said.
The Hurricanes hit the field at 8:20 a.m. on Saturday and will practice again at 3:20 p.m.
NOTES AND QUOTES
RB Injury UpdateDerron Thomas practiced today after seeing limited action the past two days to unspecified ailments. “I was impressed with Derron’s pass protection today,” Coker said. “I was really encouraged by that.” Charlie Jones suited up but did not participate fully in the practice. “He’s not read to go full-go and we don’t want to set him back.”
Perrelli On HoldWhile Matt Perrelli and Jorge Fernandez are in a battle for the No. 3 quarterback spot, it seems that Perrelli will be on the field this season as the team’s holder for placekicks. “He was (freshman kicker) Matt Bosher’s holder in high school and he’ll have a chance to be our holder here, with Bosher and (Jon) Peattie, whoever is our kicker,” Coker said. “We’re going to be better there this year.” While the position requires minimal appearances, it is a relatively thankless position, usually receiving attention only when things go wrong. “You don’t even know who (the holder) is unless there is a screw-up, then everyone knows who he is,” Coker said. “It’s really an important job.”
T-Good Looking GoodLinebacker Tavares Gooden started last year’s season opener against FSU but suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the rest of the season. The sophomore is back now, competing for a starting spot. “I’ve been pleased with Tavares,” Coker said. “Tavares has always looked good. Now I want him to play well. I think he’s really starting to step that part of his game up.”
