Hurricanes Almost There

Sept. 1, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A productive Friday afternoon practice at the Greentree Practice Fields left the Miami Hurricanes football team in a good position to refresh itself before the Labor Day Night opener against Florida State at the Orange Bowl.

Continual mental preparation, some light work and fine-tuning is all that the Hurricanes need before Monday night’s game, head coach Larry Coker said. That includes the Hurricane freshmen among which are a select few who will be introduced to college football on a grand stage.

But the youth of some anticipated contributors under the bright lights against UM’s biggest rival isn’t a deterrent.

“We want to start the best players,” Coker said. “The places I’ve been, we’ve had some freshman who have done very well.”

Freshman right tackle Jason Fox took most of the snaps with the first team on Friday and freshman Javarris James will be the first back in the game after Charlie Jones, Coker said. Fellow freshman, wide receiver Sam Shields, has wowed teammates and earned the confidence of the UM staff.

They will get their chance on Monday against the Seminoles.

“These guys, I think, are ready,” Coker said. “They’re going to be much better as the season progresses. They’re talented kids and mature kids. I think they deserve an opportunity. Even here, Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne, those were true freshmen who beat out varsity guys and ended up as first-team players.”

Miami will practice at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the Greentree Practice Fields.