ECU Completes First Full-Pad Session
August 10, 2010 | Football
Aug. 10, 2010
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GREENVILLE, N.C. – Two workouts in shorts and the two more in shells led to East Carolina’s first full-pad workout of preseason camp Tuesday afternoon at the Cliff Moore Practice Complex. The Pirates completed a spirited and approximately three-hour practice before heading into Wednesday’s two-a-day schedule.
Wednesday is the first of four scheduled two-a-days over the next two weeks. ECU will take the field from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. tomorrow and again from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. The morning session will be conducted in full pads before returning to shells in the evening. The Pirates are slated for additional two-a-days Friday, Aug. 13, Monday, Aug. 16, and Wednesday, Aug. 18.
"Today was a pretty good day," head coach Ruffin McNeill said. "Even with shoulder pads we got after it pretty hard, but I thought the kids responded well."
During the session, the offense spent extensive time working on third-down plays while the unit’s linemen focused on blitz pickup and blocking technique. Defensively, tackling and securing the stop were points of emphasis. The practice ended with team-on-team work, which included many of the team’s true freshmen.
"I thought the tempo was better today and the execution of our packages from the spring is improving," McNeill added. "I was observing and saw a calmness and confidence within the players. I also really like the attacking mode Brian Mitchell is installing with the defense."
Tuesday, CBSSports.com previewed Conference USA, examined Dwayne Harris’ draft stock and interviewed McNeill on how his first season is going. To read more, click here.
Notes: Due to the forecast of high temperatures and humidity levels for the remainder of the week, times for East Carolina’s preseason camp workouts Thursday and Friday have been revised. Both days’ sessions will run from 8:45-11:30 a.m. … After completing their first two-a-day practice Wednesday, the Pirates will begin preparing for the preseason camp’s first intra-squad scrimmage scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Wednesday’s Practice Times: 10:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 7:30-9:15 p.m.
Season Opener: Sept. 5 vs. Tulsa in Greenville (2:00 p.m.)
