North Carolina State University Athletics
Annabelle's Preseason Diary
8/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2003
Today's diary entry will be short. With only one practice a day, i don't have as much action to pull tidbits from. I'll try to be more informative next week when two-a-days start.
We got another break in the weather. It was actually nice out there this afternoon, with a nice breeze blowing for most of the two-hour practice. The team went 24 periods, including board drills, inside drill and pass skeleton. I watched the defensive linemen for a while today and they seem to be a really quick, agile group. Terrance Chapman has looked like he's in the same form as in 2001 all week and John McCargo is a young guy who looks like he's making great strides at tackle. Anyone going to tomorrow's autograph session should definitely go by and visit the defensive line, since they're a fairly new group of guys.
The team may have not practiced until the afternoon, but they were in meetings, lifting weights, watching film and involved in team activities all day. Tomorrow's schedule is even busier. After an early wake-up call, the team will go to church together, then come back to get ready for photos and interviews for a couple of hours. They'll get taped and ready for practice before they go over to sign autographs and then try to make a quick transition after the autographs are over to get on the field for practice. I hope everyone waiting for practice to begin will be patient - it may take a little time to get the whole team out there.
Coach Amato really doesn't like having practice on Sundays, and tries his best to schedule around it, but with the new rules, they can't miss a day of practice.
They won't be in full contact tomorrow, but fans in attendance should still have a great opportunity to see all of their favorite players in action. It will be a regular practice, not a scrimmage, which should be very interesting for the fans, since every player will be taking reps at the different drills.
I won't have an entry tomorrow, but hopefully will have lots of news after two workouts on Monday.
Annabelle Vaughan, NC State's Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, will file football practice reports throughout the preseason.
