VIDEO: Highlights of Eagles' "dives" from RAC --August 9, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY:  August 9, 2013

STATESBORO, Ga. – When the Eagles kickoff the 2013 season in just a few weeks, Georgia Southern Coach Jeff Monken wants to make sure his team has made the best use of its practice time. That time, in five-minute increments counted off on the clock, will come and go, but his concern lies squarely with what is happening, or not happening. Preseason camp is all about preparation and learning – on and off the field -- and executing when the ball is snapped.

"After yesterday's film, I know we have a lot of improvements to make, we have a long way to go if we are going to be ready to play," said Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken. "There were some good individual efforts and there some good plays, but not enough. Hopefully, this morning was better. Hopefully, the guys came up with a better sense of urgency."

Georgia Southern worked for 20 periods Friday beginning with special teams and position drills. The offense and defense squared off against each other in the interaction periods. Monken and the Eagle coaching staff still want to see the tempo and intensity improve during practice.

"I believe in fundamentals and toughness and effort," Monken said. "I told our coaches this morning and talked to the kids in our team meeting before we came out about how we needed to push it during individual time. We need to get more reps, and really get some quality reps, doing the things, blocking, playing the blocks, taking care of the ball, tackling, all the things important to being a good football team."

Coach Monken changed Friday afternoon's schedule giving the Eagles additional time off their feet in the afternoon and then brought the team to the aquatics center at the University's Recreation Activity Center for about an hour. Several Eagles relaxed in the Jacuzzi, others swam laps, played basketball in the outdoor pools or attempted dives and cannonballs off the diving boards.

The Eagles' preseason practice continues this weekend with a scrimmage at Paulson Stadium Saturday morning with the stretch period beginning at 9:15. Saturday's late afternoon practice starts at 4:45 p.m. at the Eagle Creek Complex. Only one practice is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

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.