PHOTO GALLERY: Practice -- 8-4-2013
STATESBORO, Ga. – In its first preseason football practice with all the Eagles in camp, Georgia Southern went 22 periods Sunday afternoon starting with special teams, then prescribed drills and team interaction periods. This was the first late afternoon practice for the Eagles of the 2013 preseason, beginning at 3:30 p.m., as overcast skies kept the temperature around 90 degrees.
The combined group displayed more energy during today's practice, both in drills and during team work. Even as the pace of reps picked up, the Georgia Southern coaching staff continued to teach concept and technique with a focus on the details. Eagles performed position and one-on-one drills as the coaches made necessary adjustments and corrections. The coaches emphasize the point that one of the characteristics of being an Eagle is to play with great effort from "snap to whistle."
"We really stress with the guys to try and play with great effort and to go full speed until the whistle blows," said Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken. "It's really a challenge for some of the guys, particularly the young guys who haven't had that demanded of them until now. Most of our veterans understand what we are looking for, that doesn't mean that sometimes have to be told again what we expect in terms of the effort. Ideally, I'd like to have 11 guys from each side of the ball standing where the ball is when the whistle blows, that they have hustled that much. Hopefully that will carry over into the games."
In position drills and team interaction, the Eagles' effort led to good competition on the practice fields. During the final two periods with offense versus defense, both sides had good plays but both sides also had missed assignments. As they do after every practice, the Georgia Southern coaching staff will review film to see where improvements are needed.
"We are excited about getting out here in pads (Monday)," Monken said. "What that does, is it allows us to play without reservation. Any time there are interaction periods right now, I have told them I want them to stay off the ground, don't tackle, don't block below the waist, obviously. Tomorrow, we'll be able to do that, bring people to the ground, work on our blocks below the waist and that will be good for our guys, both in their technique in blocking and our defensive guys in playing those blocks."
Monday's practice will be Georgia Southern's first in full pads for the 2013 preseason. The Eagles will cross the bridge over "Beautiful Eagle Creek" at approximately 9:25 a.m.
MEET THE EAGLES: Prior to the 2013 season opener against Savannah State, Georgia Southern fans can meet all fall sports Eagles and Georgia Southern Head Coaches Saturday, August 17th at 10 a.m. at the Soccer/Track Complex. The 2013 #TrueBlue schedule posters will be available for the first time at "Meet the Eagles." Following the event, the Football Eagles will have their final preseason scrimmage at Paulson Stadium.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics, and its new "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS. Fans can follow Coach Jeff Monken on his official twitter account, @CoachJeffMonken.
