North Carolina State University Athletics
Football Preseason Diary, Day Seven
8/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2001
These guys better hurry up and put on the pads, because I think it they go much longer without full contact work, they're going to spontaneously combust! I can tell that there are some players who are just dying to hit somebody. Things were pretty feisty in both practices today - they worked out for a couple of hours this morning. Coach told them after practice that the weather was supposed to be rough tonight and they might have to go indoors. You should have heard the players begging to be able to stay out in the rain (guess as tough as practice is, mat drills are tougher!).
The theme for this year's team is "Full Speed Ahead," and you can certainly tell that our speed on the field is greatly improved this year. I watched Troy Graham race out to catch a ball this morning that I couldn't believe he caught and some of our young defensive backs look like they'd be tough to beat as well. And speaking of defensive backs, freshman Lamont Reid moved from running back to cornerback this morning, so I'll keep you posted on his progress there.
Tonight, the coaches wanted to make sure they got certain parts of practice in first in case of rain, so instead of beginning with period one, they started with period nine and then went back and forth, putting the 11-on-11 drills in the front part of practice so that they'd be sure those drills got in. They ended up getting the whole practice done, but it probably was disheartening for the guys to look up after they'd been practicing over an hour and see that big number "1" hanging in the slot that tells them what period they're on!
Don't think for a minute that football is the only thing going on around NC State these days. Coach Mary Byrne's volleyball team is in preseason camp as well, and I think it might be hotter in Reynolds Coliseum than it is on the football field. The soccer teams are also in preseason workouts and cross country begins next week.
And on a personal note, I'd like to send my love and best wishes to two of the sweetest Wolfpack fans out there: E.J. and Betty Ann Poindexter. They are on the west coast, missing their granddaughters and the Wolfpack something awful. The Poindexters drive us all around the state in the spring on the Wolfpack Club spring caravan, which is definitely a labor of love for NC State! I can't wait to see you guys on September 6!!!
