PHOTO GALLERY
ELON, N.C. -- Sunday afternoon saw the Elon Phoenix football team open its first preseason camp under the leadership of head coach
Jason Swepson. The Phoenix practiced for roughly two hours on the Hunt and Tucker Practice Fields.
The Phoenix players, coaches and support staff also elected four captains for the 2011 season – senior linebacker
Joshua Jones, junior defensive back
Blake Thompson and senior offensive linemen
Rodney Austin and
Ned Cuthbertson.
Jones is Elon's leading returning tackler after amassing 74 stops a year ago and was a preseason second-team All-SoCon pick. Thompson racked up 61 total tackles and a team-high four interceptions as a sophomore. Austin has been named to multiple preseason All-America teams and was a preseason first-team All-SoCon honoree. Cuthbertson appeared in all 11 games for the Phoenix last year and was a second-team all-league pick.
The team worked through all phases of the game, working both in position groups and in full units.
Swepson was pleased on his team's first practice session.
Swepson on first practice in the preseason as a head coach:
"Obviously, I felt a little more comfortable than I did on the first day of spring. I think we had a pretty good spring and summer outside of football. We got to know each other. I really felt like today, this team really likes each other and that's going to go a long way. In the spring they were feeling us all out. I think we have the total trust of the team now."
Swepson on picking up from the spring:
"It was the little things. They now know the proper way to tackle and the proper way to line up. In the spring, we had to keep reminding them. Right now they're lining up and they can see it. We'll add some more stuff and see if they keep responding. They had a great summer and are really committed to the program."
Swepson on the freshmen:
"I think the freshman class came in ready to go. With the freshmen having been here this summer, they know the stretch routine and are familiar with the campus. The summer orientation program is a blessing. It also gets them around the team so the first time they're meeting those guys isn't when they report for camp."
Swepson on what he wants to see tomorrow:
"We have a walk-thru tomorrow, we have a lift tomorrow. I'd like to see them put it all together. We didn't have a full day today. I'm anxious to see how they do with a full day – waking up at 6:30, meetings at 8, a walk-thru, lunch, more meetings and then back to practice. It's going to be a full day tomorrow."
Thompson also thought the Phoenix practice was a successful one.
Thompson on picking up from the spring:
"I think we picked up right on cue. All the progress we made from the first spring practice through the spring game, it picked up right here. I think we're a lot farther ahead now."
Thompson on the biggest adjustment for the freshmen:
"I think the biggest adjustment is the speed. High school isn't Division I college football. When you get here, everybody has been working on their technique. Mentally it's tough as well. If you can stay grounded and on top of everything then you'll be good."
Thompson on if there were any first-day jitters:
I think it was business as usual. We came out with high intensity. Everybody was mentally sharp. We're back to working toward a conference championship.
Thompson on Monday's first full day:
"It'll be tiring. But this is camp. You can't put it on cruise control. We've got to grind it out every day to get better if we want to win a championship."
2011 Elon Phoenix Practice Schedule
Mon., Aug. 8 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Tues., Aug. 9 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Wed., Aug 10 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 11 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Fri., Aug. 12 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
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
-- ELON --
