North Carolina State University Athletics
It Sounded Like Football
8/15/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
NC State's football practice fields have been full of activity for more than week now, but on the morning of Aug. 15 preseason workouts were elevated to a different level.
Wearing full pads, the Wolfpack engaged in heavy contact work for the first time.
There were grunts, groans and loud pops generated by helmets colliding with helmets and pads meeting pads.
What did it sound like? It sounded like football.
While the coaches barked words of "encouragement," the players immersed themselves in endless chatter.
"The intensity has been pretty good thus far," said Pack coach Chuck Amato. "The offense had a pretty good day. They moved the ball real well."
The No. 1 offense, directed by freshman quarterback Philip Rivers, made some big plays in the passing game against the No. 2 defense in a short 11 on 11 drill.
"Yesterday the defense got the upper hand, so they got a little complacent. The offensive coaches got upset and chewed their kids out, so they came out here with an attitude today," Amato said. "We're going with ones versus twos so the offense should move the football."
The No. 1 defensive unit won't be at full strength until linebackers Levar Fisher and Edrick Smith are cleared to participate in all drills. Fisher is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot while Smith is still on the comeback trail from a knee injury.
"Levar and Edrick are only practicing once a day," Amato said. "We're doing that so we can have them when it counts."
The Wolfpack will continue to practice twice a day until classes start on Monday, August 21.
