ECU Works Through Rainy Conditions Again
August 15, 2004 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. ? Practicing in the rain is becoming old habit for the East Carolina football team. The Pirates spent most of their sixth workout of the season Sunday battling the remnants of Hurricane Charley which passed through Eastern North Carolina on Saturday. Rain also put a damper on Friday and Saturday's sessions.
Saturated field conditions at the Cliff Moore Practice Facility forced East Carolina onto Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the first time this preseason as it donned fullpads for a second straight day. Today also marked the first time that the Pirates practiced together as a collective unit. ECU had spent the previous five days practicing in two separate groups.
"It is a grind right now and we're in it," said head coach John Thompson. "This is when we know we make our team and all our coaches love it."
The grind of the first week allowed the coaching staff to reevaluate where some of their players were positioned and made several moves on the defensive side of the ball Sunday.
Wes Hofacker, Durwin Lamb and Jarett Wiggins, all recruited as defensive lineman, were each moved off the line this afternoon. Hofacker switched to the bandit position, Lamb moved to inside linebacker and Wiggins was placed at the stinger position.
"Those guys have got a chance to help us at all three of those positions," Thompson said. "We're developing some depth and some of those guys are going to provide some playing time for us."
The day began with a players-led worship service inside. Jason Pender helped serve as worship leader with multiple players sharing both scripture and testimony. Joel Renaud also provided musical inspiration, singing songs of praise and adoration.
East Carolina will practice at 8:15 a.m. Monday and then return for a 5:15 p.m. session in the first installment of two-a-days.
The team will hold the first of its three preseason scrimmages on Tuesday at Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The starting time is tentatively set for 3:30 p.m.
