Playoffs, Extra Practices Jumpstart Spring Football
3/22/2011 1:22:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - What a difference a year makes. The spring 2011 edition of the Georgia Southern Football team hit the practice fields on the banks of "Beautiful Eagle Creek" and got right to work. Monday's 22-period practice in shorts and helmets was the first of 15 sessions for the Eagles. Spring practice culminates in a final scrimmage, the Blue-White Spring Game, Friday, April 15th at 7 p.m.
"We have been looking forward to spring ball starting and I think our kids have been really anticipating this day," said Eagle Head Coach Jeff Monken. "We were disappointed in finishing the way we did, we really had high hopes as we were finishing up the year that we might have the chance to play again. I think our guys were eager to get back out here and get back to work."
Unlike the beginning of practice last year, when the coaching staff was installing both a new offense and a new defense, the Eagle players are getting refresher courses. Four quarterbacks from last year's squad are actually practicing the mesh instead of learning it. New stances and footwork, brand new in 2010, are getting to be second nature. Plays, routes, schemes and terminology are all much more familiar, as compared to last year, when players may have felt like they were learning a new language.
"We are a world away from a year ago," Monken said. "Last year we were out here the first day really teaching an entirely new sport. This year, we are able to come out here, and offensively at least be able to call most of the offense, and to be able to line up in our formations and run the plays. Defensively, we are so similar to our philosophy from a year ago, really just terminology has changed, we are very similar, and that is going to help our guys and our guys' transition. We are way ahead of where we were a year ago and that is a lot easier on the mind and the heart as a coach to just be able to push forward and get in more in early."
Georgia Southern benefited from going deep in the playoffs, not only for the wins, but in gaining practice time and game experience. From selection Sunday through the semifinal game, the Eagles had 16 practice sessions that allowed them to gain additional repetitions not only for the starters, but for the backups and scout team members as well.
"I think those definitely contributed to our improvement, and our ability at this point to be able to do as many things as we are doing," Monken said. "We got four extra weeks of practice, and I thought we were continuing to improve as a football team all the way through the playoffs. Those were definitely been beneficial to us."
The Eagles will spend day two of the spring practice schedule in shorts and helmets again. Tuesday's practice begins at 3:45 p.m.
2011 Georgia Southern Spring Football Roster
Spring Football Practice Schedule
Schedule and location are subject to change. Practices are open to the public, but any filming, recording or photography is limited to members of the media only.
2011 SPRING PRACTICE DATES
Monday, March 21
Tuesday, March 22
Thursday, March 24
Saturday, March 26
Monday, March 28
Tuesday, March 29
Friday, April 1
Saturday, April 2
Monday, April 4
Tuesday, April 5
Thursday, April 7
Saturday, April 9
Tuesday, April 12
Thursday, April 14
Friday, April 15 (Spring Game)
BBQ PLATE DINNER TO SUPPORT AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
To support the Statesboro/Bulloch County team of local businessman Bubba Hunt and Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken in the quest to raise the most money in the American Diabetes Association's "Kiss the Pig" contest, tickets for BBQ plates are now on sale. Plates are $10 each and can be picked up from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hanner Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 26th. Items on the plate include pulled pork, macaroni & cheese, baked beans, bread and peach cobbler. The Eagles Football coaching staff and players will be at Hanner Fieldhouse Saturday to sign autographs and meet fans when they pick up their plates. BBQ plate tickets are only available through pre-sale. To purchase tickets, call Bubba Hunt at 912-682-0050 or stop by any Car City or Pawn City location.
COACHES CLINIC DATE SET
Georgia Southern will hold a spring Coaches Clinic Friday-Saturday, April 1-2, with coaching sessions and chalk talks with the Eagles' staff. For additional information, contact Vic Cabral at (912) 478-5522 or by fax at (912) 478-5059. The Coaches' Clinic brochure and the full schedule of events is available on the GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com website. Coaches who pre-register pay $30 while those who register on the day of the clinic will be charged $40.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
The annual Blue-White game will have a different look as it will be played on Friday, April 15th at 7 p.m. as the final scrimmage of the spring. Admission is free. Special events leading up to the game include a tailgate in support of the ADA "Kiss a Pig" fundraising campaign for the Statesboro/Bulloch County team of Bubba Hunt and Coach Monken, a Little Eagles Football Skills Clinic from 5-6 p.m. and the Blue-White Eagle Rally immediately following the clinic.
