Troy University Athletics
Trojans Continue Practice In Shorts
7/31/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
The Troy Trojans returned to the practice field for the second day of camp on Thursday. The players are still working to get their timing down and the new guys are still trying to figure things out, but they have to learn on the fly because there is no time to wait for them.
The offense focused on a lot of the speed of the offense - getting to the line, getting into the right formations and getting the play from the sideline. The Troy offense is based on forcing tempo, so having every player working in unison in critical.
Defensively, it was hard to miss defensive end Kenny Mainor. The senior has put on weight, up to 240 pounds from 225 last year, but has not lost a step of speed. He was giving the offensive line fits in 11-on-11 drills and, after practice, was out-running the defensive backs on sprints.
It was another comfortable night on the field. Some clouds and a breeze kept temperatures down some, and there were a few rumbles of thunder that had trainer Chuck Ash concerned early in practice, but there were no interruptions.
The team will go in shorts again tomorrow.
Here are a few post-practice quotes.
Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Rowell on the Secondary...
"They are working really hard to get done what we are trying to teach them"
"Our stability is in our safeties and our nickel back. They are all experienced players and have played a lot. They provide great leadership and we are counting on them."
"The thing we must replace is our cornerbacks. Leodis McKelvin and Elbert Mack aren't here anymore but some good players have replaced them. Trevor Ford and Chris Bowens are doing a good job at that position. Trevor had a great spring and has had a good two days thus far."
On the Defense.....
"We have a lot of people returning on the defensive side of the football. We are physical and quick."
"Boris Lee and Bear Woods are returning at linebacker and they are also good players with a lot of experience. One problem is our depth at that position. We have to find some depth at linebacker."
"Our defensive line has the potential to be very good. We have depth but it's also quality depth. Kenny Mainor, Brandon Lang, Steve McLendon and Cameron Sheffield are all going to be good players."
Offensive Coordinator Neal Brown
On quarterback Jamie Hampton....
"Jamie is the guy right now for us. He earned the spot with his play in the spring. He has great competition behind him. If he doesn't practice well, he will lose that spot. He must continue to improve."
"Jamie is a natural runner and that is an added bonus in this offense."
"All three of our quarterbacks can play at any time. All three can win for us, but right now, Jamie is our guy. He had done things right so far and, at this time, he gives us the best chance to win."
Jamie Hampton on Jamie Hampton....
"In my mind, I haven't done anything. Until I take the field at MTSU, I'm not the starter."
"I have to keep getting better every day along with our entire offense. We have a long
way to go before we play, but we are improving."
That is all for day two of Troy's 2008 football camp. Feel free to email us at jawright@troy.edu or bryant@troy.edu with any questions or suggestions for our practice reports.
Always keeping you informed,
Jason and Taylor
