Spring Football Notebook No. 9
April 05, 2010 | Football
April 5, 2010
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Two days after conducting their first official intra-squad scrimmage of the spring, the East Carolina Pirates returned to work inside the Cliff Moore Practice Complex and turned in a spirited two-and-a-half-hour workout in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets Monday.
Although first-year head coach Ruffin McNeill and his staff completed full game-tape evaluations earlier in the day, impressions and feedback of the content remained pretty consistent with their initial observations Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
"I had the same thoughts," McNeill said after reviewing the 100-play contest. "I thought the execution was right on par for where we are, but I also think it will improve with the last few days of spring. I like the way the kids competed and I was also really pleased with the sideline organization on offense and defense, and going with different personnel packages."
Monday's session was ECU's ninth of the spring period, leaving just six more sessions remaining, including a second Saturday morning scrimmage later this week and the playing of the Purple-Gold Game April 17.
Although in shells and void of hard contact for the duration of the workout Monday, the Pirates' weekday period-by-period schedule didn't deviate from McNeill's established norm this spring. East Carolina spent its final 70 minutes engaged in three periods that covered special teams, seven-on-seven skeleton drills and an 11-on-11 team segment that keyed on third down situations, redzone and goal line efficiency.
"I think we're right on schedule and I'm happy with where we are," McNeill said. "I think we could play a football game today if we had to because we have enough schematic things installed on offense, defense and special teams. Of course, we'll need the rest of the spring, summer and fall camp to really get ready, but I feel good about the progress.
"It's a good group, one that really wants to do well," McNeill added. "We have high expectations for them individually and, more importantly, high expectations for the group as a whole. The players have been great about listening and trying to do exactly what the coaches have asked of them."
NOTES: RB Norman Whitley returned to practice Monday after missing Saturday's scrimmage because of a family matter ... WR Dwayne Harris was on the receiving end of two more scoring passes during the team-on-team period - grabbing a 15-yarder from Rio Johnson and a nine-yarder from Brad Wornick during situational "inside-the-10" drills ... Wornick also found WR Joe Womack with a 27-yard TD strike during the same segment.
EAST CAROLINA'S 2010 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Next Workout: Wednesday, April 7 (3:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.)
Remaining Workouts: April 9, April 10 (scrimmage), April 12, April 14 and April 17 (Purple-Gold Game, 2:00 p.m.)
Remaining General Public/Open Practice Date: April 14
