Hurricanes Wrap Up Second Practice of the Spring
March 8, 2011
Coral Gables, Fla.–The University of Miami football team held their second spring practice just after 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Greentree Practice Field. With the sun a little hotter than the first practice last Saturday morning, the intensity was little higher, as the messages of hustle and championship mentalities were the themes of the day.
The practice followed a similar format as Saturday’s, working on special teams to start the day, then moving into stretching, followed by position drills and finishing with various red zone execution drills, all without pads. The first practice with pads will be this Thursday, as players get a chance to go full contact before taking a week off for spring break.
Also announced today, the 2011 Spring Game will be re-aired at 5 p.m. on Sunday April 17th. Below are some notes from today’s practice.
All Energy All the Time
As many players mentioned, the new coaching staff is not one that lacks energy, constantly communication, running from spot to spot, and even racing players to the next drill. This energy keeps things moving throughout practice, not allowing any down time for the players, in very similar fashion to the UTough workouts, which keep players moving from drill to drill in order to build stamina, toughness and discipline.
Championship Vision
From the moment that Golden and his staff set foot on the Coral Gables campus, one word stuck with Miami fans: Championships. That word was echoed time and time again by the staff during today’s practice, asking players to play with a championship mentality, championship focus, and championship effort.
Filling Holes
Many people wonder who will fill the shoes left by record-setting wide receiver Leonard Hankerson as the number one pass catcher on the team. According to rising senior Travis Benjamin, there is no clear-cut favorite, but that every receiver on the roster has the ability to challenge for the spot and the talent to perform at the position. Benjamin said that it will come down to whoever works the hardest, which seems to be the theme for every position.
Everything is Earned
Many have described Golden as the ultimate competitor, someone who likes to turn every little thing into a competition, and it has been no different with his depth chart through the first two practices of spring practice. Every player seems to be buying into the concept that those who work the hardest will be the ones who start. There is no set hierarchy with this year’s team, and any every spot is up for grabs, as evidenced by early enrollee defensive back Thomas Finnie wearing a black jersey for the second straight practice.
