Pirates Conduct 90-Minute Workout In Shells
August 22, 2014 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina finalized preparation for its organizational game-day walk-through with a brisk 90-minute workout in shells Friday morning on Hight Field at the Cliff Moore Practice Complex.
Originally scheduled as the Pirates' second and final scrimmage of preseason camp, fifth-year head coach Ruffin McNeill revised Saturday morning's practice plan to emphasize all details surrounding a game-like atmosphere and operation.
"We are moving closer to game week and Friday we put the guys through our regular 90-minute Thursday practice plan," McNeill said. "This was a dress rehearsal of sorts where we got a lot good team-on-team work. Saturday we will have a game-day walk-through where we will smooth out some organizational items inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium."
After an opening 10-minute offensive walk-through and flex period, East Carolina dove into special teams by dedicating 30 minutes to kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return work. During this period the quarterbacks went through a series of drills, while the offensive and defensive lines continued work on pass rush and blitz coverages.
East Carolina wrapped up its 16th practice of camp with a 20-minute team-on-team segment in a controlled noise environment and five minutes of ball security.
During the team huddle at the close of the workout, the Pirates were introduced to Major Randy L. Hebert, USMC Retired, who has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease, since his diagnosis in 1995.
Camp Notebook:
Following practice, McNeill extended a full scholarship to DL Fred Presley, who came to East Carolina as a walk-on in the fall of 2012 ... McNeill, Assistant AD for Strength and Conditioning Jeff Connors and Director of Football Operations (and Army veteran) Brian Overton each participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of Hebert and to raise awareness of ALS.
Up Next:
Saturday's Practice Time: 8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (closed)
Season Opener: Aug. 30 vs. North Carolina Central (8 p.m. EDT)
