Morning Practice Report: August 12

#1

allvol

Eternally Optimistic
Joined
Aug 10, 2004
Messages
3,778
Likes
977
#1
Morning Practice Report: August 12
By Dave Hooker, hookerd@knews.com
August 12, 2004

When: Thursday morning

Where: Lindsey Nelson Stadium


Wet Ball Work: Rain fell consistently throughout practice. Head coach Phillip Fulmer said he was happy with the weather so the Vols could get used to slick conditions. Fulmer said he was especially pleased with the quarterbacks’ ball handling. Fumbling had been a concern earlier this fall, especially among the freshmen quarterbacks. Since then, the unit has done a much better job holding onto the ball.

Big Step: Senior center Chuck Prugh said he achieved a major goal by participating in Wednesday’s scrimmage. Prugh played between 10-15 snaps. Prugh said he hasn’t regained all of his upper body strength but is pleased with his lower body. Prugh wouldn’t go so far as to say that he felt like a freshman as he returned to full contact. Jokingly, he said he felt like a sophomore. Prugh said he developed an irregular heartbeat in February from his strict workout regimen. He said the condition cleared up in June. The former Maryville High School star is still recovering from a serious viral infection in October.

Confident C.J.: Senior quarterback C.J. Leak said he is pleased with the way he has handled the leadership role of playing quarterback this fall. Leak said he has improved when it comes to managing the huddle and calling the appropriate audible. UT coaches have stressed that Leak must minimize mistakes. So far, he had done just that.

Dual Threat: Senior Karlton Neal said he welcomed the tryout at defensive tackle. Neal has played defensive end throughout his career. Neal said he thinks he can bring some quickness to the position with his lighter frame. Neal’s move is a result of a lack of depth at the tackle position.

MIA: Several players were held out of practice for minor injuries: sophomore wide receiver Bret Smith (foot), senior tight end Victor McClure (shoulder), junior linebacker Marvin Mitchell (knee), junior tight end Jake Finlayson (back), junior linebacker Kevin Simon (rib muscle), and freshman wideout Bill Grimes (back).

Looking Ahead: The Vols will hold an afternoon practice today. UT’s first scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday. Expect a light day on Friday as the Vols recover from Thursday’s two-a-day practice and prepare for Saturday.
 
#2
#2
Daily Report: August 12
By Dave Hooker, hookerd@knews.com
August 12, 2004

When: Thursday morning and afternoon

Where: Lindsey Nelson Field


Gear: Full pads in the morning. Helmets and shorts in the afternoon.

Weather: Consistent rain during the morning practice...cloudy and cool in the afternoon.

Fulmer on Weather: Head coach Phillip Fulmer said he was pleased with the morning rain so his team could practice in slick conditions. Fulmer has repeatedly voiced concerns over the unseasonably cool temperatures and the adverse effect it might have on conditioning.

Hat Trick: Senior quarterback C.J. Leak threw three consecutive, and nearly identical, 40-yard scoring passes in the afternoon session. Jayson Swain caught one pass by overcoming sophomore Jonathan Wade. C.J. Fayton caught two. One was against junior Brandon Johnson. The other came against freshman Antonio Gaines.

Not Yet: UT’s coaching staff installed some of its two-minute offense in the afternoon session. However, Fulmer decided against including the freshmen quarterbacks: Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge. Fulmer said they weren’t quite ready for complexity of the hurry-up system.

Big Step: Senior center Chuck Prugh said he achieved a major goal by participating in Wednesday’s scrimmage. Prugh played between 10-15 snaps. Prugh said he hasn’t regained all of his upper body strength but is pleased with his lower body. When asked if he felt like a freshman in full contact drills, Prugh said, "No, more like a sophomore." Prugh said he developed an irregular heartbeat in February from his strict workout regimen. He said the condition cleared up in June. The former Maryville High School star is still recovering from a serious viral infection in October.

Snapping to it: Fulmer said he is pleased with his offensive unit’s pace. Fulmer said Randy Sanders’ group is able to run 14 plays in a typical ten-minute period. Fulmer said that is a significant improvement over spring practice.

MIA: Fulmer expressed concern over his growing number of absentees. Several Vols missed practice for a variety of reasons: sophomore wide receiver Bret Smith (sore foot), freshman wide receiver Bill Grimes (sore back), junior defensive tackle Greg Jones (personal and academic), freshman defensive end Jared Hostetter (ankle injury), senior tight end Victor McClure (sprained shoulder), junior tight end Jake Finlayson (sore back), junior linebacker Marvin Mitchell (sore knee). Junior linebacker Kevin Simon was limited due to an abdominal muscle. Simon is expected to participate in Saturday’s scrimmage. Sophomore tailback David Yancey was expected back by Friday. However, Fulmer said Yancey’s mother has taken a "turn for the worse" which will delay his return.

Looking Ahead: UT will hold a light practice on Friday afternoon as they prepare for Saturday’s first full-scale scrimmage.
 
#3
#3
Originally posted by allvol@Aug 13, 2004 11:18 AM
Fulmer on Weather: Head coach Phillip Fulmer said he was pleased with the morning rain so his team could practice in slick conditions.

I'd make the QB practice under a water hose if that's what it took. I am still emotionally scarred after the 2002 game where Mother Nature decided she liked the Gators and sent a MONSOON.
 

VN Store



Back
Top