`Canes Don't Miss a Beat After Spring Break
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Despite 12 days off since their last practice, the Hurricanes didn’t seem to miss a step when they returned to the Greentree Practice Fields on Tuesday. The practice, which marked the fourth of 12 this spring, lasted just under three hours in near perfect conditions.
With sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70’s throughout the session, the ‘Canes appeared to come out refreshed and ready to get back to work.
Timing is Everything
Although it is still early in camp, you can already tell the players and coaches are on the same page with the timing and pace of practice. Everything is fast-paced and organized and rarely is there ever a moment of confusion or disarray. That’s a good sign this early in camp.
Heard That
While defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio is known for being a vocal guy, he had nothing on O-line coach Art Kehoe and D-line coach Jethro Franklin on Tuesday. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that everyone in and around the Hecht Athletic Center knows all of the offensive and defensive line calls after today. Not sure who was louder…. But the slight edge might have gone to Franklin.
First-Team Reps
Just hours after the team’s updated depth chart was released on HurricaneSports.com, senior quarterback Jacory Harris took the field as the Hurricanes’ starting quarterback. Harris, who missed all of last spring recovering from surgery, looked sharp in taking all of the first-team snaps on Tuesday. Morris looked equally as impressive on the second team, but the day belonged to Harris as the veteran handled first-team duties for the first time in a spring practice in two years.
Practice Highlights
Here are some of the players/plays that stood out on Tuesday…
– Travis Benjamin looked good in punt return work, consistently avoiding the first tackler and finding a decent seam most of the time. Benjamin, who appears to have gained a little weight in the offseason, also appeared more comfortable receiving the ball and was fluid in his first few steps.
– Sean Spence had the most impressive day defensively, consistently getting to the ball before everyone else as he did so often last season. Spence capped off his strong outing by getting into the backfield in red zone drills and jumping up a fumble after a botched hand-off.
– Tommy Streeter stood out among the receivers, specifically making a pair of impressive touchdown catches in back-to-back red zone plays in 11-on-11 work. On the first, Streeter took advantage of Ray-Ray Armstrong slipping in the end zone, allowing for an easy TD pass from Jacory Harris. The second, however, was much more impressive. After splitting coverage up the middle, Streeter made a one-handed grab right in front of the goal post in the back of the end zone on a ball that was fit in there perfectly from Harris.
– Ray-Ray Armstrong recorded an interception late in practice on a ball that was deflected up into his hands during 11-on-11 action.
– Lamar Miller stood out during inside run drills, with a lot of his success coming behind Brandon Washington on the right side.
In Attendance
Several famous faces were spotted at Tuesday’s practice, including Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, former Boston College head coach and NFL offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski and current NFL players Roscoe Parrish, Willis McGahee and Phillip Buchanon.
In addition to Parrish, McGahee and Buchanon, several other former ‘Canes were in attendance, including Leonard Hankerson, Matt Bosher, Brian Monroe, Dedrick Epps and Joe Joseph.
Rohan Marley, former UM linebacker and son of reggae legend Bob Marley, was also in attendance, spending most of his time on the field alongside strength coach Andreu Swasey.
Former UM assistant Don Soldinger was also in attendance, while Green Bay Packers cornerback and Super Bowl champion Sam Shields was also spotted around the building a few times.
Shields, Buchanon and Parrish had spent time in the weight room together earlier in the day.
Power Lunch
Hurricane fans have an opportunity to attend a Power Lunch with head football coach Al Golden on Monday, March 28 at The Capital Grill on Brickell Ave. in Miami. For more information, click here .
Practice No. 5
The Hurricanes will return to practice on Thursday for another afternoon session beginning at approximately 2:15 p.m. Temperatures are expected to head up as the week moves on, with the forecast currently calling for a high in the mid-80’s in Coral Gables on Thursday.
LaRon Byrd before practice…..
Stephen Morris before practice…..
