Pirates Return To Practice Fields
August 07, 2011 | Football
Aug. 7, 2011
GREENVILLE, N.C. - After having Saturday's practice pushed back to a brief evening workout due to inclement weather, the East Carolina football team returned to the Cliff Moore Practice Complex with vigor Sunday and completed its third session of the fall.
The Pirates conducted what second-year head coach Ruffin McNeill referred to as an hour-long "run through" Saturday in shorts and helmets once the lightning passed. The abbreviated work allowed ECU to don shells for the first time in camp Sunday morning. The team will hold its first practice in full gear Tuesday.
"With the lightning and rain, we had to adjust some things," McNeill said. "It really worked out to our benefit and enabled us to go in shoulder pads today."
While Friday's session served as a reintroduction to East Carolina's offensive and defensive packages, today's workout provided more time for game-like situations. The Pirates spent nearly 40 minutes total in seven-on-seven or team-on-team drills. The offense spent additional time with screen packages while the defensive secondary worked against potential scout team wide receivers. The entire team also went through approximately 25 minutes of special teams practice.
"It was a great day to get in some physical fundamental work," McNeill added. "Every position needs that. With the shoulder pads on, we can get a better evaluation of all our players. There is a lot of work left to be done, but I think the players are starting to enjoy the process."
The impact of Assistant Athletics Director for Strength and Conditioning Jeff Connors was evident Sunday morning as the team went through a series of sprints prior to the completion of the workout, an activity that has been absent in previous preseason camps.
"It went well," McNeill said. "Jeff and I talked about running when he first came and we both agreed on some things. We talk about being the best conditioned team, but we have to work at it. That's just part of the plan now."
Note
True freshman defensive back Glen Hilliard did not practice Sunday after suffering a right knee injury during Friday's practice ... McNeill indicated Hilliard will be out indefinitely until further evaluations can be made.
Monday's Practice Time: 8:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Season Opener: Sept. 3 vs. South Carolina in Charlotte (7:00 p.m.)
