ECU Back To Practice After Scrimmage
August 14, 2011 | Football
Aug. 14, 2011
GREENVILLE, N.C. - A day after conducting its initial scrimmage of fall camp, East Carolina returned to the Cliff Moore Practice Complex Sunday morning for a corrective two-and-a-half hour workout in shells. The Pirates also prepared for their second two-a-day of fall camp, which will take place Monday.
"I thought today went well," head coach Ruffin McNeill said. "They had to push through a little bit. There's a wall we keep talking about that we have to climb over or kick down. It was a great fundamental day for offense, defense and special teams. The execution was there and we're doing some nice things on special teams. I really like the mentality of our team."
Following film evaluation of Saturday's scrimmage, McNeill said he was proud of the offense for only turning the ball over once and the defense for getting key stops on third and four down.
"After watching the scrimmage film, I saw some things I was very pleased with," McNeill said. "The effort was there. We're still not at the point where we want to be, but I saw great effort. The second thing I ask of the players is to compete, and they did that."
On Sunday, McNeill and the staff devoted 30 minutes to team-on-team work after the offense and defense spent nearly 25 minutes in skeleton drills. The offensive skeleton work centered on redzone and goal-line plays while the unit spent additional time running screens against early-designated scouts.
McNeill and his staff closed the workout with freshmen receivers going one-on-one against freshmen defensive backs. A pair of acrobatic receptions by Antonio Cannon highlighted the period. Cannon made a diving catch of a 40-yard ball and a leaping, one-handed grab of a 35-yard pass.
The Pirates will conduct workouts Monday morning and evening before having their first off day of camp Tuesday. ECU returns to its single-practice schedule Wednesday with a morning session.
Notes
McNeill announced WR Jeremy Davis, OL Anthony Garrett and RB Damonte Terry have chosen to leave the program and will seek playing opportunities elsewhere ... McNeill also announced the addition of Hunter Furr to the 105-man roster ... Furr, a Lewisville native who joins the program after playing for two years at North Carolina, will have to sit out the season due to NCAA transfer rules ... True freshman DE Jeton Beavers, a February signee, arrived in camp Saturday night and is expected to be cleared to participate early this week.
Monday's Practice Times: 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Season Opener: Sept. 3 vs. South Carolina in Charlotte (7:00 p.m.)
