Troy Football Holds Successful Opening Spring Practice

TROY, Alabama – The Troy football team went through its first practice of the Neal Brown era Tuesday as the Trojans opened spring practice with a two-hour workout on the grass practice fields and in Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"We had a good first day," said head coach Neal Brown. "I'm really excited to be out here with these guys on the grass for the first time. We had a good winter. A lot of the credit needs to go to our strength staff led by coach Rafael Horton. Our coaches have all been really involved, seeing them athletically. So, to get the guys out on the grass today and see them do football drills was great. We had good energy, like any other day one I've been a part of. We were sloppy at times, but if we have good energy and compete, we will have a chance. It's all about rebuilding this wall."

Practice opened on the grass fields behind Trojan Arena and competition was the theme of the day as Brown opened practice with a team challenge before a brief special teams period. The offense and defense then split for tempo and ball security drills before splitting into individual position groups for 20 minutes of work.

Wide receivers matched up against defensive backs while the tight ends and running backs squared off against the linebackers in 1-on-1 drills before the team moved into Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Under the lights in the stadium, the Trojans spent more time on special teams before transitioning to 7-on-7 drills, work against the scout team and pass under presser drills. Practice concluded with 10 minutes of 11-on-11 team drills.

The Trojans will practice two more times this week with a 5 p.m. session Thursday and a 10:30 a.m. workout Saturday. All practices are open to the public.

Head football coach Neal Brown
Opening statement…
We had a good first day. I'm really excited to be out here with these guys on the grass for the first time. We had a good winter. A lot of the credit needs to go to our strength staff led by coach Rafael Horton. Our coaches have all been really involved, seeing them athletically. So, to get them out on the grass today and see them do football drills was great. We had good energy, like any other day one I've been a part of. We were sloppy at times, but if we have good energy and compete, we will have a chance. It's all about rebuilding this wall.

On injuries…
Bryan Holmes, who is recovering from a minor surgery on his ankle. If we were in the fall, he'd be back in a week, but we're going to hold him. I really like what I've seen from him. Defensively, Dondrell Harris is out with a shoulder injury, will miss the spring. Sam Lebbie is also out with a hamstring, but he'll be back towards the end.

On the quick tempo of practice…
Yes (that is how we will be playing). I think kids are these days are easily distracted. So, we will practice with a lot of pace. That is how we want to play. We want to play really fast, and we would love to lead the country in plays per game. I thought our defense did a great job getting the line together. They flew around. We were simple today on defense, but I thought our guys did a really good job getting to the line.

On the energy with kids knowing all spots are up for grabs…
I think hope. When people have hope, you're going to get a lot out of them and it's our job to keep those guys as engaged as possible. We would love for the guys to step up and compete and get as many people contributing on special teams as we possibly can. But, I really think it goes back to hope. Anytime a kid has hope to play, they are going to be eager.

On play towards the end...
I think the offenses are always behind on the defenses, because when you're throwing the football, it's predicated on timing. Our timing is not great right now, because this is the first time, as coaches, we have been out there with a ball in their hands. So, we have a lot of work to do. I think Brandon (Silvers) at the end there really threw a couple of good balls.

On his first day as a head coach…
It was fun. The more we get into it and the more we get a feel for what we want to do offensively, then I will start to spend more time with the defensive guys. I'll tell you what I liked the most, which was being involved with special teams again, for the first time in a long time. That was fun for me, getting involved in that piece of the game and really teaching and coaching fundamental football.

On what made practice fun…
Competition. We started with a competition and we will always try to end with competition. That is out motto. You will see it everywhere. We want to compete every day. I think our video staff did a really good job with our "compete everyday" video we put out a few weeks ago. We want to have fun. Like I said at the opening press conference and I really mean it, people don't talk about working football, they talk about playing football. I want our guys to put forth great effort, but I also want them to have fun.

Sophomore quarterback Brandon Silvers
On having to earn his spot…
Every spring semester, I'm always going to compete no matter who I'm going up against. I'm going to take it just like I did last spring semester. I have to win the job again, nothing will be handed to me.

On competition for the starting role…
Yes (it pushes us). There is a lot of competition, and not just with the quarterbacks. Everybody on the field has completion, the kickers, defensive line, everyone, it doesn't matter who you are. That is what we have been doing a lot of.

On the play book…
I got it about three weeks ago. You just have to put a lot of things in while going at a fast tempo. We were a little rusty today, but we will get it going. It's just the first day.

On the tempo of practice…
I do have to prepare for it, and it was a bit tiring. We will get through it, but it's always fun competing with everyone again, and getting all the coaches out here together.

On head coach Neal Brown…
You always have to be on your game with the offense, especially because coach Brown is a quarterback's guy. You have to try to be as perfect as you can be. He is very hands on with us, especially the quarterbacks. We meet with him basically every day and that's good for us.

On the off season preparations…
We worked really hard in the weight room. Coach Horton really got us well-prepared for today's practice. We are doing a lot of different things in the weight room, which I think really helped.

Senior running back Brandon Burks
On how the offense has changed…
It was less complex. Last year, we understood what we were doing. Now, we have to know numbers, signals, the play itself, what you're doing and what the next guy is doing. Right now, we are working on figuring it out. We all have new adjustments to make and we're working on it.

On learning a whole new offense…
It's a lot of work. Starting off fresh, we don't know anything. We have to erase what we knew and start all over. So, it's a fresh new start.

On the offense being a good fit so far…
It is. It is a lot of chaos right now, because we are all still learning what to do. We are figuring it out.

On the energy…
The offense helps, but it was also the first day of practice, so everyone is just running around. Coach is telling us to slow down, but we're all amped up.

On challenges built into practice…
That is another thing they put in, wanting us to be a group that learns, plays, and competes together. So, that is what we do out of practice, at practice, and during weights.

Senior defensive end Tyler Roberts
On the defense with the new staff…
They made it really easy for us. We have been in the meeting rooms getting the front set, and all the defensive checks right. Obviously, there is a difference when you're going out there full speed for the first time in the spring, but I think we adjusted to it well. There were a few times we weren't lined up right, but you expect that on the first day. Overall, we adapted very well and everyone is picking it up very quick.

On the energy…
I think a lot of it is just that it's the first spring practice feeling. Everyone is excited to be out here and run around against somebody for the first time. It's been about two or three months since we've really been out here. Then again, it is all new coaches on defense, so nobody's spot is set. Everyone knows that up front. So, everyone is fighting for that starting job because it's not guaranteed.

On the feel and excitement throughout the locker room…
It does (translate on and off the field). Even in the weight room, we also do those challenges throughout practice and we always have that intensity. That is something coach Brown has been pushing us towards. He wants intensity throughout practice, not just at the beginning and the end.

Troy Football Spring Practice Schedule
March 26 – Practice 2 (5 p.m.)
March 28 – Practice 3 (10:30 a.m.)
March 31 – Practice 4 (5 p.m.)
April 2 – Practice 5 (5 p.m.)
April 4 – Practice 6 (10:30 a.m.)
April 7 – Practice 7 (5 p.m.)
April 9 – Practice 8 (8 p.m.)
April 11 – Practice 9 (10:30 a.m.)
April 14 – Practice 10 (5 p.m.)
April 17 – Practice 11 (8 p.m.)
April 19 – Practice 12 (3 p.m.)
April 23 – Practice 13 (5 p.m.)
April 25 – T-Day (12 p.m.)

Troy University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Brandon Burks

Dondrell Harris

Bryan Holmes

Sam Lebbie

Tyler Roberts

Brandon Silvers

Troy Football Holds Successful Opening Spring Practice

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