Eagles Shake Off the Rust on First Day Back and First in Full Pads
3/27/2013 1:52:00 AM | Football
VIDEO: Post-practice interview with Coach Jeff Monken
STATESBORO, Ga. – For Georgia Southern's first practice after spring break, there was little spring-like about it. Overcast skies and cool temperatures, though, didn't stop the Eagles from putting in 23 periods of work in their third practice of the 2013 spring. Tuesday's practice was the first in full pads with full contact. Georgia Southern had two practices prior to the University's spring break in shorts and helmets.
Coach Jeff Monken reminded the Eagles after practice that the opportunities for practice, and improving, are limited, and that the expectations have been set by the Georgia Southern teams of the past. Paying attention to and perfecting the details, from ball security to knowing all position assignments, are critical to success.
"It is always difficult to come off of a long break, and we typically don't (break up practice), it just worked out that way this year," said Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken. "Naturally, they have forgotten some things in the 12-day break since the last time we practiced and hopefully we can get them keyed back into their assignments and play book and will be better on Thursday."
Effort and speed was emphasized during all periods, starting with special teams situations. Individual drills by position on both offense and defense with one-on-one interaction drills preceded four periods of offense vs. defense and three periods of skelly. Practice ended with several periods of team interaction.
Quarterbacks Kevin Ellison and Vegas Harley, both redshirted last season, were the beneficiaries of individual instruction from Coach Mitch Ware. Ellison and Harley are still getting re-acclimated to the offense and covering the basics, as well diving into some new facets of the offense.
"It is really difficult when guys are learning new things, especially for our freshmen who redshirted and spent the year on the scout team," Monken said. "They don't have that game experience to fall back on. We put the offense in during preseason camp, but that was a long time ago and they are learning it again and they don't go as fast, but we'll continue to improve."
As the Eagles get back in the groove of practice and the repetitions get quicker, the confidence levels will also improve. Thursday the Eagles will be in full pads again, with the first scrimmage set for Saturday morning at Paulson Stadium.
"It was good to see our guys compete, I think they were excited to be out here in pads and run into each other," Monken said. "We are doing new stuff on offense. What we are doing is not entirely new, just trying to expand and have a little bit more there that we can turn to -- adding some formations and motions. Still, when you add those things, there is something different about it, the timing is different and it takes some getting used to. That's why spring ball is good – you knock the kinks out."
NOTE: Georgia Southern Assistant Football Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Brett Gilliland will be the guest speaker at the Savannah Business Luncheon at the Johnny Harris Banquet Facility on Victory Drive Wednesday at 12 noon. Cost of the meal is $10 which includes the buffet, sweet tea, tax and tip.
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 "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS.
-GS-
