Practice Blog: View from a Two-A-Day
8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
For the third-straight day, Liberty hit the field early, beginning their second two-a-day schedule of August training camp. The Flames had their first two-a-day slate on Tuesday, followed by a morning workout at Williams Stadium on Wednesday.
As part of LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage, the web site will be blogging live throughout today's morning workout.
As always, feel free to email twetmore@liberty.edu with any comments, questions and/or suggestions throughout the morning and we will try to update you as best as possible.
The most recent posts will be located just below this italicized message. You may need to refresh the page periodically to view the latest updates.
11:23 a.m. – Tomorrow, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage is going to give you a further look into this year's roster, as our "Behind the Numbers" segment returns. Last year, the web site debuted the feature piece during training camp and continued to run the player question and answer session throughout the year. Be sure to check back tomorrow, so you too can know more than just a name on a jersey when you come to this year's players.
11:20 a.m. – If you can't wait until Saturday for additional comments from Rocco, be sure to check out Chris Lang's blog later on today. The Lynchburg News & Advance reporter is slated to talk with Rocco following this afternoon's workout, where he will get further insight into the team's progress.
Link to Chris Lang's Blog on newsadvance.com
11:15 a.m. – Following lunch and film review, the team will return to the practice field this afternoon at 3 p.m., for a lighter workout in shells on the grass field next to the Williams Football Operations Center. As previously mentioned, today's practice was the second of three scheduled two-a-days during training camp. The Flames will have their third and final two-a-day next Tuesday.
11:05 a.m. - The team had to hustle off the field to keep up with its busy two-a-day schedule, so we were only able to catch up with Rocco for a few minutes. We plan on providing a much more in-depth interview with Rocco following Saturday morning's practice. During the interview, we plan on getting Rocco's thoughts on his team, as they hit the midpoint of training camp.
Here are Rocco's comments following this morning's workouts:
"I thought practice went really well today. The guys looked sharp and focus on the field, which has not been the case all throughout camp this August."
"We came out very sharp and worked on our first and second down run and play action game. We also started to work on our perimeter runs today, as well as our option game."
"Defensively, we put in our alternate front, which is not our normal 3-4 front, but rather a 4-3 front. The change certainly gave the offense some different things to look at, especially in the area of blocking."
"We had a really good morning and hopefully we can carry that momenteum into this afternoon's practice."
10:46 a.m. – This morning workout session is just about ready to wrap up. We'll have some insight from Rocco up on the blog in the next 45 minutes.
10: 42 a.m. – Speaking of new options at wide receiver, former South Carolina wide receiver Freddy Brown is now working out with the Flames, as he has now officially transferred to Liberty after completing his degree at South Carolina this summer. So how many times are we going to get to see the "South Carolina 7-11" connection on the field this year (No. 7 Tommy Beecher and No. 11 Freddy Brown … both former South Carolina players)?
10:38 a.m. – We've got some 7-on-7 action taking place on the field, pitting Liberty's offensive skilled players against the Flames linebackers and defensive backs. Liberty's wide receivers are getting a good look during the drill, including some of the Flames newest receivers. Players like Kevin Fogg, Pat Kelly and several others are going to give Rocco some great options this year.
10:29 a.m. – Looks like it is more playbook installation time, as both coordinators have the teams divided on opposite ends of the field again, walking through plays. More short yardage passes are being worked on by Liberty's offense, where the Flames quarterbacks are dumping off four or five yard passes to running backs. On the flip side of the field, defensive line coach Levern Belin is taking some time to work with his players on their placement and stance.
10:21 a.m. – While the team takes a break for water, we'll take the time to keep you updated on the video board installation process … because what would practice blog be without a video board update. The installation crew has finished up a good portion of the project, leaving only the advertising panels on the left and right sides of the board to be added. The video board project is on schedule and is slated for a full test run on either Aug. 24 or Aug. 25.
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10:11 a.m. – It is back to special teams time for the Flames, as Mike Larsson boots several punts downfield to various returners. Among the returners Rocco is getting a look at today are Kevin Fogg, Aaron Hewlett, Mike Brown and Ron Hobby.
10:04 a.m. – Rocco calls for the Flames' first 11-on-11 drills of the day and the day's defensive theme seems to carrying into this drill. Liberty's quarterbacks have been able to complete most of their short-yardage passes, but most run plays are stopped before the ball carrier can gain five or more yards. The lone lengthy pass of the drill was on a nice slant by Chris Summers, who started on the outside of the field, but came back to the inside and caught a bullet pass from Tommy Beecher.
9:52 a.m. – Looks like Sundheim's got a new toy to play with during practice this August, as his running backs are using the device pictured below for the first time this morning.
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9:45 a.m. – Rocco is running one of our favorite practice drills to blog on, which features an offensive lineman blocking for a running back, all while the defender tries to get by the lineman and tackle the ball carrier. Today's session of the drill was dominated by the defenders, including the final run, where senior linebacker Wes Cheek was able to get around and stop Liberty's charging fullback Derek Bishop.
9:38 a.m. – Okay, so enough with the "extra stuff" and back to the action on the field. Associate head coach Pete Sundheim has got the quarterbacks and the running backs around the 30-yard line, working on their handoffs. The units are working together on both direct handoffs up the middle and pitch runs to the left and right sides of the field.
9:29 a.m. – Our second guest of the day is a scout from the Dallas Cowboys, who is out evaluating Liberty's upperclassmen. According to the football office, the Flames also had several scouts roaming the sidelines yesterday during practice.
9:27 a.m. – We've got a few guests roaming the sidelines today, beginning with members of the production crew from Liberty's Center for Advanced Media Productions. They are capturing footage to use as part of Liberty's team intro video, which will run on the stadium's new video board. Members of the Athletics Department got their first look at the 90-second intro two days ago and it is off to a great start.
9:21 a.m. – Strength and conditioning coach Bill Gillespie has the team stretching out to prepare for the remainder of practice. During yesterday morning's workout stretching segment, Ed Gomes, the football program's Director of Spiritual Development, used the time to encourage Liberty's newcomers. Gomes was calling out each freshman and transfer student-athlete, including their hometown and high school, encouraging them to get better and ready for the season that is just 23 days away.
9:10 a.m. – Today must be a heavy installation day for the Flames, as coordinators still control the practice workout on the field. However, this time it is offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter and defensive coordinator Tom Clark, who are leading two different sets of drills. Streeter has the offense on the south end of the field, where he looks to be walking through some short yardage passing plays with the receivers and quarterbacks. Clark seems to be working with his entire defensive unit, also walking through several scripted out plays in the Flames playbook.
8:52 a.m. – Special teams work is the way head coach Danny Rocco decided to open up today's practice, as the Flames walked through several different aspects of the punt game. On the south end of the field, special teams coordinator Marshall Roberts was instructing the Flames lineman on placement, while Liberty's returners were on the north side of the field working on ball control.
8:32 a.m. – Okay, after blogging for a few times at practice, we've learned that the kickers are always the first players on the field (sorry Matt Bevins and Mike Larsson). So, today we decided to look for the first non-kicking player to hit the field and the honor goes to Dominique Jones. The former men's basketball player turned tight end was on the field early this morning, preparing for the first of two practices for Liberty on the schedule.
8:12 a.m. – Speaking of soccer, progress continues to be made on Osborne Stadium over at the soccer field. Below are two pictures, the first being of the area construction crews are clearing for the new field house (which will house offices for both soccer programs and women's lacrosse). The second is an updated photo of where the grandstands and press box will be located.
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8:02 a.m. – The football team isn't the only program hitting the practice field early today, as women's soccer is just wrapping up their first practice of the year. Head coach Jessica Celi and the Lady Flames held their first team meeting last night and are at it early this morning preparing for the 2009 season. Liberty opens the year at Virginia on Aug. 28.
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