Third-Down Plays Enter LU's Practice Regimen
4/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Practice No. 6 of the Flames' spring football schedule saw a shift in focus, as Liberty spent its two-hour session on Friday afternoon installing third-down plays into its practice regimen.
Practicing for the third time in four days, Liberty took to the turf at Williams Stadium amidst near record-setting temperatures for this time of year in Central Virginia, as highs on the day topped out in the middle 80s.
After holding five-straight practices that dealt strictly with first and second-down situations, head coach Danny Rocco started to review third-down plays during the afternoon workout.
"We seemed to get a lot of new stuff in this afternoon, dealing mostly with third-down plays," commented Rocco following the workout. "Our defense is ahead of our offense and that is the basis of where we are at, but that is usually the case when you start to install new aspects into your game plan."
"Our defense is able to attack the offense in a variety of different ways," continued Rocco. "Right now, we are not protecting our quarterback very well. When you put in your third-down offense and third-down defense and you are not protecting your quarterback, then you are not going to be very successful on offense."
Rocco feels that speed is the key to the Flames' defensive success on third-down plays and the two-time national coach of the year candidate considers two players as important cogs into his overall scheme.
"I think the two guys who have shown some ability out there in the area of speed are Danny Broggin and Brent Vinson," stated Rocco when asked about his view of defensive success on third downs. "They are hybrid linebacker/safety types who can play the run, but also play zone man coverage and blitz. Those two have been the most noticeable to me, as I am very pleased at the speed they bring to our defensive package on third-down plays."
Offensively, Rocco says he is looking for "playmakers and players who want the ball in critical situations" when it comes to third-down situations. "We look at a third-down play as a totally different situation," continued Rocco. "It is one-down football – either you win or you lose. If you win the down, you get to stay on the field and if you lose the down, you have to punt."
The Flames will hit the near midpoint of their spring practice schedule tomorrow morning, when they hold a morning workout session, starting at 10:20 a.m. During the latter part of the two-hour practice, Liberty will run several sets of scrimmage-type plays, marking the second time this week the Flames' two units (offense and defense) will square off against each other in game-type situations.
"Tomorrow morning is critical to this spring. We are going to check this team's heartbeat, as it will be our third practice in a row," concluded Rocco. "It has been very hot and this is the toughest grind of the spring for our kids."
"Tomorrow will be a long practice, as we are going to run a lot of plays, and will finish with a scrimmage period," added Rocco. "The biggest thing I will be looking for tomorrow will be intensity from my team and more physicality on the field."
Practicing for the third time in four days, Liberty took to the turf at Williams Stadium amidst near record-setting temperatures for this time of year in Central Virginia, as highs on the day topped out in the middle 80s.
After holding five-straight practices that dealt strictly with first and second-down situations, head coach Danny Rocco started to review third-down plays during the afternoon workout.
"We seemed to get a lot of new stuff in this afternoon, dealing mostly with third-down plays," commented Rocco following the workout. "Our defense is ahead of our offense and that is the basis of where we are at, but that is usually the case when you start to install new aspects into your game plan."
"Our defense is able to attack the offense in a variety of different ways," continued Rocco. "Right now, we are not protecting our quarterback very well. When you put in your third-down offense and third-down defense and you are not protecting your quarterback, then you are not going to be very successful on offense."
Rocco feels that speed is the key to the Flames' defensive success on third-down plays and the two-time national coach of the year candidate considers two players as important cogs into his overall scheme.
"I think the two guys who have shown some ability out there in the area of speed are Danny Broggin and Brent Vinson," stated Rocco when asked about his view of defensive success on third downs. "They are hybrid linebacker/safety types who can play the run, but also play zone man coverage and blitz. Those two have been the most noticeable to me, as I am very pleased at the speed they bring to our defensive package on third-down plays."
Offensively, Rocco says he is looking for "playmakers and players who want the ball in critical situations" when it comes to third-down situations. "We look at a third-down play as a totally different situation," continued Rocco. "It is one-down football – either you win or you lose. If you win the down, you get to stay on the field and if you lose the down, you have to punt."
The Flames will hit the near midpoint of their spring practice schedule tomorrow morning, when they hold a morning workout session, starting at 10:20 a.m. During the latter part of the two-hour practice, Liberty will run several sets of scrimmage-type plays, marking the second time this week the Flames' two units (offense and defense) will square off against each other in game-type situations.
"Tomorrow morning is critical to this spring. We are going to check this team's heartbeat, as it will be our third practice in a row," concluded Rocco. "It has been very hot and this is the toughest grind of the spring for our kids."
"Tomorrow will be a long practice, as we are going to run a lot of plays, and will finish with a scrimmage period," added Rocco. "The biggest thing I will be looking for tomorrow will be intensity from my team and more physicality on the field."
Get To Know Liberty Quarterback Deshawn Purdie
Wednesday, May 13
Get To Know Liberty Running Back Jaylon Coleman
Thursday, May 07
Get To Know Liberty Defensive End Michael Floyde
Thursday, April 30
Get To Know Liberty Linebacker Deuce Spurlock
Friday, April 24