ECU Practices In Uppers For The First Time
August 12, 2004 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. ? Heat and humidity greeted the Pirates Thursday morning as East Carolina conducted its third workout of the preseason. After enjoying temperatures in the upper 70s and mid-80s on Wednesday, the Pirates worked through a typical Eastern North Carolina mid-August day with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees. Along with the outside temperatures, the Pirate players also turned it up.
"We accelerated for our older guys and slowed the pace down for our younger guys," said head coach John Thompson. "With our older guys today, we really accelerated, went fast and tried to get the tempo going. We saw some good things."
"For three days of practice, there is no question we've improved. Our football team is a better football team today."
Thursday's practice marked the first practice with players wearing uppers. Although the Pirates have yet to go full speed, Thompson stated that his team in undoubtedly quicker.
"Our speed level is up and I just think we're a little more athletic," he said. "If you look across the board at where we are athletically, at any position, we're better."
Inclement weather forced ECU to cancel its Thursday afternoon conditioning session and move its orginally scheduled Friday morning practice to the afternoon. The Pirates will practice in uppers again Friday afternoon before moving to full pads Saturday morning.
