Hurricanes Wrap Up Day Two of Spring Practice
Feb. 24, 2010
Coral Gables, Fla – The University of Miami football team completed its second day of spring practice with another two-hour afternoon session in shorts and helmets at the Greentree Practice Fields Wednesday. The Hurricanes followed the same script as Tuesday’s opening practice spending 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. The last hour of practice saw more offense vs. defense where junior quarterback Spencer Whipple hooked up with LaRon Byrd over the middle for a 40-yard gain in 7-on-7 action. Sophomore safety Ray Ray Armstrong intercepted a pass in 7-on-7 as well. Freshman quarterback Stephen Morris hooked up sophomore wide receiver Kendal Thompkins for a long touchdown on the last play of practice. Miami will take Thursday off before returning to the practice field Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.
A Few Other Practice Highlights
A.J. Highsmith connected with LaRon Byrd for 30-yard gain. Byrd seemed to have a good day of catching the ball.Sophomore running back Mike James, who is now wearing jersey No. 5 and freshman running back Storm Johnson each had long runs in the 11-on-11 team period. James broke loose down the right side line while Johnson was elusive between the tackles before breaking outside for a big gain.
The defense had some highlights getting pressure on the quarterbacks during the team period and made some nice pass breakups in 7-on-7.
After practice head coach Randy Shannon addressed media. Here’s some of what he had to say:
On his plan to make a decision on the backup quarterback:
I really don’t know. A lot of things can happen between here and the first game, so that’s why I don’t like to make too many decisions on something. You always can say, `Okay, this guy is second team,’ but then all of a sudden you come back in the fall and a guy can have a bad camp and that guy’s not second team anymore. We don’t put too much emphasis on it. It’s a starting point, but I don’t think you ever pencil anyone in to be the guy. It’s just a starting point.
On defensive lineman Adewale Ojomo looking as strong as last year coming off his jaw surgery: He’s back to his same old weight. His weight is up, He’s up to about 250 I think. He’s strong like he was before. Wale [Adewale] isn’t ever hesitant about anything. He’s always aggressive. It’s just back to the same way. It’s the same old Adewale.”
Post-Practice
After practice, defensive lineman Adewale Ojomo and a few players met with members of the media. Ojomo, who missed the 2009 season with a broken jaw, discussed his return to the football field …
On being away from football:
It was hard because when you have a passion for the sport and you’re away, it takes a lot from you. It makes you think that there’s much more to it when you come back. You have a much more love and respect for the game. You realize it can be taken from you at any point in time.On how long he was on a different diet: I was on a different diet for about six weeks. It was only liquids. Any meats that I ate were purified. It was tough physically and mentally. I think when you don’t eat, it puts a strain on your body. You feel much more weak.On being back on the football field: It’s fun to play football. I haven’t played football in seven months so it’s fun.
On missing last year when people expected him to shine in 2009:
It was hard to go through that. It was hard to see my team on the field and me on the sideline. It was tough.
On how he has matured each year: My whole thing is winning games. I want to be a leader on this team. In order to win games and be a leader on this team, I felt like I had to mature a lot. When I open my mouth, I want guys to respect what I’m saying. So, they have to see me going to class. They have to see me doing the right things all the time. That’s a big part of my maturity.
Post-practice notes
Jessie Armstead (second from left) attended practice on Wednesday. |
For the second straight day, a former Hurricane took in a few minutes of practice as former `Cane Jessie Armstead stopped by at the start of practice.
The `Canes will participate in 12 more practices leading up to the spring game on Saturday, March 27.
The Hurricanes will practice again on 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.
The team ended practice by wishing head coach Randy Shannon a Happy Birthday.
For `Canes Tickets
To purchase tickets for Miami’s upcoming 2010 season at Sun Life Stadium, contact the Hurricanes ticket office by calling 1-800-GO-CANES. Lower level season tickets start at just $199.
