Spring Practice Report: #11
April 3, 2012
Photo Gallery | Interviews: Chickillo | Coach Jedd Fisch | Perryman | Highsmith
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team completed their 11th practice of the spring on Tuesday and have only three more practices before the annual BankUnited CanesFest and Spring Football Game on April 14 at Sun Life Stadium.
Weather Report: 83 degrees with winds out of the north at 5 mph and 51% humidity.
The practice started with the usual position drills and then full-team drills started quickly after. They were preceded by the team’s own rendition of “Zombie Nation”. The full-team drills began with a focus on screens and toss plays before switching to punt and kickoff returns. Phillip Dorsett and Brandon McGee provided the first big plays of the practice with their quality kick returns, as both made strong bursts through the holes provided by the coverage team.
Head Coach Al Golden
After the first break, the team split back up into position drills, the most exciting of which was the 1-on-1 tackling drill. The wide receivers as a whole showed some impressive elusiveness during the drill. Next was the 1-on-1 receiver versus defensive back drill. During this drill, Asante Cleveland first exerted his physical dominance that he would maintain through the rest of practice.
After the position drills, the whole team gathered in the middle of the practice fields for a 3-on-3 blocking drill. Three defenders would line up against offensive players in an attempt to stop a run play on a slimmed down field. A team favorite, players and coaches alike from both sides were very animated, running on the field every time their side made a big play. The most noticeable were tight ends coach Brennan Carroll and linebackers coach Michael Barrow, who both showed off all their best dance moves for their respective sides. Running back Eduardo Clements capped off the drill with a big run off the left tackle, giving the last advantage to the offense.
After another break, the team regrouped for more full-team drills. During this session Ryan Williams started to find his rhythm, connecting with almost all of his receivers and tight ends on various routes. Kendal Thompkins broke away from the defense for a wide-open touchdown catch from Williams. The defense then recovered to make some big plays, consistently standing tall against the run, while freshman Larry Hope continued his success from the position drills, making multiple plays on the ball while in coverage.
The next session was 7-on-7 redzone drills. During this drill the passing attack reigned supreme, sparked by Phillip Dorsett’s tough catch in traffic in the endzone and Preston Dewey’s two consecutive touchdown passes.
To end the practice the teamed moved back to one field for a short full team session. Mike James took over this session with a big run of 30 yards and a catch out of the backfield for 60 yards. The highlight of the final session did not go to James, however, but to walk-on receiver Chad Barnes. Barnes caught a ball on the sideline and made a shifty move to break a tackle, bringing a roar from the sidelines.
Cane Spotting: Canes Jordan Futch, Jimmy Graham, Chase Ford, JoJo Nicolas, and Marcus Robinson were on the sidelines to watch Tuesday’s practice. FIU head coach and former Hurricane Mario Cristobal and his staff were also in attendance today.
