Camp Report: Receivers Stand Out in Morning Practice
Aug. 20, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Storms halted, but did not stop the University of Miami’s morning football practice on Saturday as the team eventually worked out for just over two hours on the Greentree Practice Fields. The morning session served as the first of two Saturday practices, with this being the last two-a-day session of fall camp.
Light rain began falling near the beginning of practice and steadily increased before the lightning detection system siren went off at approximately 9:05 a.m. The team cleared the field and headed inside the locker room for 30 minutes before the all-clear siren went off, allowing the team to return to practice.
Once back on the field, the Canes engaged entirely in 11-on-11 action in preparation for Monday’s scrimmage. Today’s two practice sessions are the last before the second scrimmage of fall camp scheduled for Monday.
GOLDEN COMMENTS
Head coach Al Golden has said throughout fall camp that jobs are open all over the field and that every player must prove himself in order to make the travel roster for the Maryland game on Sept. 5. In speaking with the media prior to practice, Golden reaffirmed his statements and said that today’s practices, along with Monday’s scrimmage, will go a long way in determining which players will make the depth chart, which is scheduled to be released early next week.
He spoke about players needing to continue their strong efforts in practice and how every position on the team is earned on the field through hard work. According to Golden, everyone needs to prove themselves going into Monday’s scrimmage.
SECOND SRIMMAGE ON THE HORIZON
The second scrimmage of fall camp is slated for Monday, August 22 on the Greentree Practice Fields. The Canes held the first scrimmage last Sunday, as Tommy Streeter and Jacory Harris both had great performances.
FRESHMEN STEPPING UP
Several freshmen continue to impress in camp, with three in particular standing out Saturday morning. Offensively, wide receiver Philip Dorsett had a big morning session, pulling in several first-down grabs. Late in the practice, the Ft. Lauderdale native caught a deep ball from Stephen Morris up the middle and took it to the house. On the defensive side of the ball, Ricardo Williams and Gionni Paul both had productive practices.
SEAHAWKS FLY INTO GREENTREE
A scout from the Seattle Seahawks was in attendance during Saturday’s morning practice. It was the first time during fall camp that a member of the Seahawks has been at Greentree. Since the beginning of fall camp, members from 17 different NFL organizations have attended UMiami practices.
SATURDAY (8/20) – Seahawks
FRIDAY (8/19/ – NONE
THURSDAY (8/18) – Panthers, Cowboys, Steelers
WEDNESDAY (8/17) – Browns, Patriots, 49ers
TUESDAY (8/16) – Lions, Packers
SATURDAY (8/13) – Colts, Falcons
FRIDAY (8/12) – Saints
THURSDAY (8/11) – Vikings, Raiders
WEDNESDAY (8/10) – Buccaneers
TUESDAY (8/9) – Panthers, Jaguars
MONDAY (8/8) – Chiefs, Panthers, Jaguars
HIGH PERFORMANCE PLAYERS
Throughout camp, HurricaneSports.com will highlight some of the best performers in each day’s practice. While there are certainly other players who stood out throughout the course of the session, these student-athletes in particular caught our eye.
Offense
Starting Wide Receivers – While Dorsett had one of his better practices, it was projected starting wideouts who stood out today. LaRon Byrd and Travis Benjamin pulled down everything thrown their way, with Benjamin recording a bunch of yards after the catch and Byrd picking up big chunks of yardage on intermediate-to-deep routes. Both appear in midseason form, a good sign as the Canes look to replace Leonard Hankerson’s production from a year ago.
Maurice Hagens – With Lamar Miller and Mike James both serving as player-coaches for the morning session, Hagens was given the chance to take some more reps at running back and he showed up. The bruising runner fought his way through the line on several occasions when it looked like nothing was there, picking up a few extra yards in the end as the defense struggled to stop the 240-pounders momentum. When he wasn’t carrying the ball, he was a steady blocker in the passing game.
Defense
Gionni Paul – The Lakeland native has been taking full advantage of his reps with the second team over the past week and Saturday was another indication he is fighting for immediate playing time. Paul, who looks and plays a lot like former Cane and current Houston Texans linebacker Darryl Sharpton, was in on seemingly every tackle possible today.
A.J. Highsmith – Every practice Highsmith seems to make one more play than the last. Working with the second team, the converted quarterback has an eye for the ball in the passing game and isn’t afraid to come up and hit somebody on running plays and underneath passes. He nearly picked off an out route this morning on a diving play that got his teammates celebrating from the sidelines.
PHOTO GALLERY: SATURDAY MORNING
Click HERE for a photo gallery of some of the action from Greentree this morning.
HURRICANES BEFORE PRACTICE
Head Coach Al Golden…
OL Harland Gunn…
LB James Gaines …
For more video interviews from Saturday’s practice, visit TheUFootball.com .
BACK TO GREENTREE
The Canes will return to Greentree Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. for the second of two practices. However, this time is subject to change due to weather.
SEASON TIX
Season Tickets for the start of the Al Golden Era and the 2011 Hurricanes Football Season are on sale now. For more information call 1-800-Go-Canes or purchase your tickets through HurricaneSports.com by CLICKING HERE.
