North Carolina State University Athletics
2002 Football Preseason Diary, Day 8
8/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2002
What a beautiful day for football! There isn't a cloud in the sky, it's only about 80 degrees and a nice breeze was blowing all during practice this morning (and last night, for that matter). It really makes everybody ready for the season, but at the same time, I think it brings a sense of real urgency to the coaches and players.
Coach Amato and Philip Rivers both remarked after this morning's workout (full contact but just wearing shells) that you can get more done in the cooler weather. "We've just got to teach 'em, teach 'em, teach 'em this time of year," said Coach Amato. Rivers added, "You can really get after it when it's cooler because everybody's attention is greater. But, we all know that on the 24th when we play New Mexico, it's likely to be 100 degrees, so we've got to be prepared."
A big crowd was late for practice this morning because of summer school, even though the practice started late to accomodate the even greater crowd that had an early class. Next week, summer school won't be a factor.
After the defense dominated yesterday's drills, the offense seemed to have the upper hand some today during the 11-on-11 drills. Sterling Hicks showed some speed on a reverse, scoring from about 40 yards out and Jerricho Cotchery also had a nice TD catch from Rivers from about the same distance. The running backs, Greg Golden, Josh Brown, Tramain Hall (who is switching between wideout and tailback) also had some good runs (Greg Golden had an especially interesting run, but I promised that I wouldn't write about it on the internet!). T.A. McLendon was a little limited today with a bruised shoulder, but should be back soon. He and Andre Maddox had a big collision yesterday that ended with both players a little banged up. Credit 'Dre for toughness - he was out there today in his regular jersey, not in the pink used by the guys who are limited because of injury.
Coach Amato said, "The offense really had the upper hand today and it shouldn't be that way." Philip was a little more matter-of-fact: "They got us yesterday and I guarantee they'll be fired up next practice. They're going to be really good - they've got great speed."
The offensive line is really looking strong at this point in practice. When Scott Kooistra and Chris Colmer walk off the field together, it practically causes an eclipse - these guys are huge.
Coach has admonished the players after every practice to "remember A.J." A.J. Davis is still out after his grandfather passed away. I think the funeral was today, so hopefully he'll be back with the team soon.
Tonight is another late practice and tomorrow will follow the same schedule. I heard a couple of the freshmen on the sidelines today talking about tomorrow being Friday. When they realized that tomorrow was only Thursday, they weren't very happy. But from my standpoint, this freshman class has gotten accustomed to the pace quicker than any I've been around. They stick with all the drills and all the conditioning. Hopefully, that bodes well for the future.
And just an aside on another topic: Wolfpack basketball. I ran into Anthony Grundy when I was coming back up from football practice and he told me he is leaving in a couple of weeks to go play professionally in Germany. He's excited about the opportunity and looking forward to his first opponent: Kenny Inge's team! Good luck to Anthony!
Diary, Day 1
Diary, Day 2
Diary, Day 3
Diary, Day 4
Diary, Day 5
Diary, Day 5, Part 2
Diary, Day 6
Diary, Day 7
