ELON, N.C. -- After a slow start to the first morning practice of the preseason, the Elon Phoenix football team picked up its tempo and finished the first half of its first two-a-day of the year on a high note. The squad will return to the Hunt and Tucker Practice Fields for again at 6:10 p.m. this evening.
The team spent much of Friday morning working on specific game situations, but also spent time working in position groups and on special teams.
Jason Swepson talked after practice about the first morning workouts, the running backs and the health of his team. We also caught up with running back #A.J. Harris# as he came off the field.
Swepson on the first morning workout of the preseason:
"We started off a little slow, but we woke them up with a tackling circuit. I was pleased with the morning practice and am looking forward to seeing how they perform tonight. The tempo picked up as the day went on."
Swepson on the running backs:
"We have three veterans back there that have played a lot of football. We're counting on those guys to be successful. They're getting some good work in, they're competing and they're coaching each other. Dontay (Taylor) will be our power runner, our short yardage guy. A.J. (Harris) is smooth, a screen guy. He really has a good feel for seeing things out there and puts himself in a position to make a play. Jamal (Shuman) with his speed, all we have to do is give him some daylight and he can take it to the house. With those three guys, we'll lean on them, not only in the running game, but in the passing game as well.:
Swepson on the team's health:
"It's the typical tight hamstrings and stuff like that. Overall we're healthy. I know we'll get some nicks and bruises as we move forward, but nothing major – knock on wood."
Swepson on the comfort level of the team:
"I think they enjoy football. I think the system and schedule is to their liking. I tried to make it player-friendly. They've won some games and done some things in the past. I just wanted to bring the excitement and the fun back to the game. On defense, with all the blitzing that we're doing, it really makes it fun for those guys. On offense, we've got some veteran players and I think the schedule has allowed them to recover and be themselves."
Harris on how this camp is different than others:
"It's different. Practice is structured different. We need to be able to do things a little bit differently and adapt differently depending on what drill we're doing. It's camp. No camp is easy. It's still a grind, but I think the guys are enjoying it."
Harris on the excitement level in camp:
"I think there is a different energy. With a new staff things are going a bit differently. It's a different routine for us and I think guys are excited about that."
Harris on coming to camp with a new staff:
"It is like being a freshman again. I told some of the freshmen that it's a good time to come play Elon football because we're all in the same boat. We're all learning the offense for the first time. It's interesting to see how we teach each other to get this offense down."
Harris on the running backs:
"The depth at the position is the best part about it. We have three guys that have been here for three, four, five years. We've got the game experience to be a little more savvy than someone who's just coming in. With that, I think we get a little more respect from the team because we've been there.
2011 Elon Phoenix Practice Schedule
Fri., Aug. 12 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Sat., Aug. 13 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Sun., Aug. 14 – 6:00 p.m. – Rhodes Stadium (Scrimmage)
Tues., Aug. 16 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Tues., Aug. 16 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Wed., Aug. 17 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 18 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 18 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Fri., Aug. 19 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Sat., Aug. 20 – 3:00 p.m. – Rhodes Stadium (Scrimmage)
Mon., Aug. 22 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Mon., Aug. 22 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Tues., Aug. 23 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Wed., Aug. 24 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 25 – 6:00 p.m. – Rhodes Stadium (Scrimmage)
* Subject to change
Check back to elonphoenix.com on Monday for more information about Fan Appreciation Day which will be held on Aug. 20.
-- ELON --
