Hurricane Football Holds First Spring Practice Tuesday
Feb. 23, 2010
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami football team opened its 2010 spring practice schedule Tuesday with a two-hour afternoon session at the Greentree Practice Fields. The players practiced in helmets and shorts under the direction of fourth-year head coach Randy Shannon.
Six freshmen – OL Malcolm Bunche, LB Tyrone Cornelius, WR Allen Hurns, RB Storm Johnson, OL Shane McDermott and QB Stephen Morris – that enrolled this spring joined returning players and coaches as the team began preparation for the 2010 season.
The Hurricanes spent time working on several offensive and defensive position drills before wrapping up practice working on inside run, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 team drills.
Temperatures again held consistent, ranging from 74 to 77 degrees throughout with a brief light rain shower that lasted roughly five minutes.
The Hurricanes will return to the practice field Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
A Few Practice Highlights
· Steven Wesley recovered a fumble in 11-on-11 action.
· Spencer Whipple hooked up with Tommy Streeter for a nice gain of over 40 yards.
· Miami’s defensive backfield had several pass breakups in 7-on7 drills.
· Running backs Damien Berry, Mike James and Storm Johnson had some nice runs between the tackles
· Aldarius Johnson made a couple of impressive catches including a nice diving catch on an A.J. Highsmith pass in 7-on-7 drills.
Shannon Post-Practice
After practice, head coach and several players met with the members of the media. He discussed how his first day of spring practice went …
It was a typical first day of spring football, no pads. Guys are just flying around a little bit and doing some good things. The guys who came in January started off a little slow, but as time goes on you will see those guys pick it up and start running around a lot. It was a good tempo for the first day, a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. But you’re not in pads yet, so you don’t really know what’s going on or what you can really do and cannot do.
On being more physical overall: You won’t know till you get in pads, but what we’re trying to get done in practice is more fast-paced, a lot of run game emphasis and things like that to force the guys to use their hands and technique. When you’ve got that kind of mentality, it works out for the best.
On the play of the quarterbacks on day one: They didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t know until you watch tape, but they executed some of the things on offense that we needed to get done, which was good. You see the guys stepping up.
On being along further than last year in spring with the same coordinators: Everyone knows the offense and defense except the new guys on campus, so you’re going to be ahead offensively and defensively. That’s a positive.
Quarterbacks post practice
With starting quarterback out of spring practice, sophomore quarterback A.J. Highsmith, junior Spencer Whipple and true freshman Stephen Morris are sharing reps. Here is what the three had to say after practice Tuesday …
“It’s a good opportunity, but I’m trying to take everything the way I did before. I’m still working hard on and off the field, just trying to get better every day.”
“It’s a competition, but that’s what makes us good here. We have great quarterbacks. Jacory, when he goes down, we have guys that can step in. Stephen is adjusting real well. He did well today.”
SPENCER WHIPPLE
“I’m just going out and competing – every rep is an opportunity. I’m excited to be in the mix of it. I’m not trying to think of the big picture. Every day you have to just go out and try to do your best on each rep; study the play book on your off time and just be ready when your number is called.”
On whether it’s harder to play for a staff that has his father, Mark Whipple, on it: “It’s almost easier because he’s there and he can talk to me. I’ve known him my whole life so he knows how to talk to me, settle me down when things aren’t going right and when things are going well keep my mind right. It’s just great to have him around and to be able to talk to him not over the phone, face to face.”
STEPHEN MORRIS
“Being at the next level is just amazing and fun. It’s a lot faster than I expected. Every time I come here (for practice) I know I have to get better. I have a lot to work on. Being here is just a great opportunity for me to learn.”
“It’s a completely different playbook and is a lot bigger than I expected. Coach Whipple helps me out and I have great mentors like Jacory, A.J. and Spencer who helps me out all the time.”
“Coach Whipple is great at mechanics and he helps me a lot. I’m a little antsy in the pocket once in a while. I’m going to get better at my footwork and developing the reads for coverages. I’m pretty comfortable with the playbook.”
Post-practice notes
· Former Hurricanes and current NFL players Greg Olsen, Willis McGahee, Phillip Buchanan, and Darnell Jenkins took in some of practice as did some of Miami’s 2009 seniors who are preparing for their Pro Timing Day including tight ends Dedrick Epps, Jimmy Graham, Javarris James and Jason Fox, who have all been invited to the 2010 NFL Combine. Linebacker Darryl Sharpton will also take part in it.
· The `Canes will participate in 13 more practices leading up to the spring game on Saturday, March 27.
· The Hurricanes will practice again on Wednesday and Friday at 3:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 10 a.m. All practices are closed to the public this spring with the exception of a scrimmage on Mar. 11 and the spring game on March 27.
To purchase tickets for Miami’s upcoming 2010 season at Sun Life Stadium, contact the UM ticket office by calling 1-800-GO-CANES.
