Consistency is Key for Eagles

STATESBORO, Ga. - It's not too often that second chances come along, but the Georgia Southern Football team had the opportunity this afternoon to show the coaching staff that the Eagles can make improvements.

Following the first practice, Monken emphasized the connection between the mental and physical aspects of the game, stressing that the Eagles must put actions behind their words. Monken also reminded the 2010 team of the Georgia Southern teams that laid the foundation and created the history and tradition for the program. Those teams, Monken said, were characterized by their toughness.

 "I thought we took a step back in terms of intensity and effort (this morning)," Monken said. "It's got to get a lot better. We have to keep pushing them, I don't think you can back off them and expect them to get tough on their own. That's the coaches' job. You have to push your guys and make sure they play tough and play with effort. We're going to keep demanding that."

The Eagles went through both sessions on Saturday in full pads. They will return for one session on Sunday afternoon before their second of three two-a-days on Monday.

 "You never know what will happen in football," Monken said. "I tell the guys that all the time. You have to play with 100 percent effort, you have to play fast and tough. You have to put yourself in position to make plays. If you don't play hard, you won't be in position to make a play."

There were glimpses of the Eagles beginning to get the message in the skelly and team periods of the second session Saturday.

"The positive thing is is that we see it (the intensity) at times, so we know it is there, so we can coach off of it and we can set those expectations, " said Defensive Coordinator Brent Pry. "The problem is, the inconsistency right now in that level. To maintain that, not just against the offense, but in individual and group work, we have to practice with that level of intensity in everything we do."

 "There is so much to learn and so much room for improvement," Monken said."We should be improving every day. We should be getting better with assignments, better with effort. I hope it continues tomorrow. It was a step forward this afternoon."

NUMBER 48:  Former Eagle tailback Frankie Johnson stopped by practice on Saturday to take in some of the morning session. Johnson is probably best known for his performance in the 1985 National Championship game in the Tacoma Dome where he caught seven passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. The most memorable of his catches in that game was likely the fourth-quarter TD off a Tracy Ham pass with just seconds left to give Georgia Southern the 44-42 win and its first national championship.

ROSTER TRANSACTIONS AND UPDATES: Two newcomers joined the squad on Saturday, 6-2, 230 lb. junior defensive lineman Trey Trip from Ole Miss (Peachtree Ridge H.S.) and Logan Daves, a 6-2, 300-lb. freshman from Blue Ridge, Ga. (Fannin County H.S.). Senior Mike Veal was moved to offensive line. Jordan Heath decided not to continue with the squad.

DINGS AND TWEAKS: The Eagles had several dings and tweaks that put some players in red jerseys for part of the first or the second practice of Saturday. Freshman Darries Robinson, senior Jawaun Luckey and Deion Stanley were added to the "red jersey" club. Robinson and Luckey suffered muscle strains and are listed as day-to-day. Stanley will be re-evaluated following a knee injury.

MEET THE EAGLES: Several of Georgia Southern's fall sports teams will participate in a "Meet the Eagles" event next Saturday, August 14th, from 4-5:30 p.m. on Glenn Bryant Field at Paulson Stadium. Student-athletes and coaches from the Eagle football, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, cross country and the track and field teams will be present to promote their respective programs.

The event on August 14th will be the first opportunity for Georgia Southern fans to receive 2010 fall sports schedule posters and have the Eagle student-athletes and coaches autograph them. Not only will fans be able to snap photos of and with their favorite Eagles, they will also be able to take photos with Freedom, Georgia Southern University's live American bald eagle mascot. Fan favorite GUS and both Georgia Southern's all-girl and co-ed cheerleading squads will also be at Paulson Stadium for "Meet the Eagles."

PRESEASON SHOW PREMIERES AUG. 14: Georgia Southern fans will get an up-close look at Head Coach Jeff Monken's first Eagle team during a special preseason edition of "Inside Georgia Southern Football" on WGSA-TV (CW-13) in Savannah. The 30-minute preview show will debut next Saturday, August 14, and air nine times prior to the Eagles' Sept. 4 season opener against Savannah State. "Inside Georgia Southern Football" will also be available on the www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com website.

Coach Monken will join host and former Eagle standout Terry Harvin to give an in-depth look at the 2010 Eagles and discuss all things Georgia Southern football. The preview show will also feature Georgia Southern Offensive Coordinator Brent Davis, Defensive Coordinator Brent Pry and Director of Athletics Sam Baker.

Air Times for "Inside Georgia Southern Football" Preview Show:

Saturday, August 14, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, August 17, 8 a.m.; Thursday, August 19, 8 a.m.; Saturday, August 21, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, August 24, 8 a.m.; Thursday, August 26, 8 a.m.; Saturday, August 28, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, August 31, 8 a.m.; Thursday, September 2, 8 a.m.

SAVANNAH EAGLE CLUB BUSINESS LUNCHEON: Seats are filling up fast for the Thursday, August 26th Savannah Eagle Club Business Luncheon at the Johnny Harris Banquet Facility. Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken will be the featured speaker at the event, which is sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations. Serving lines open at 11:45 a.m. and the program begins at 12:20 p.m. with adjournment by 1 p.m. Tickets for the buffet are $10 per person which includes meal, water or iced tea, dessert, tax and gratuity. For more information, contact Rick Bean at 912-629-2143.

FALL CAMP PRACTICE TIMES: Sessions are open to Eagle fans and will be held at the Georgia Southern practice fields unless indicated.

August 8, 2010 - 3:55 p.m.
August 9, 2010 - practice 1 9 a.m., practice 2 4:33 p.m.
August 10, 2010 - No practice
August 11, 2010 - practice 1 9 a.m., practice 2 4:33 p.m.
August 12, 2010 - 2:45 p.m.
August 13, 2010 - 2:45 p.m.                      
August 14, 2010 - 10:05 a.m- 12 p.m. practice at Paulson Stadium
                            4-5:30 p.m. "Meet the Eagles" event at Paulson Stadium

Category: Football

Published on Saturday, 07 August 2010 23:14