ELON, N.C. -- In its final practice before being allowed to go in full pads, the Elon football team spent roughly two hours on the Hunt and Tucker Practice Fields preparing for the 2011 season. The schedule was primarily the same as it has been for the first three days with the squad working on all aspects of its game in both position groups and as a team.
Following the practice, we caught up with both head coach
Jason Swepson and quarterback
Thomas Wilson.
Swepson on the offensive and defensive lines:
"On the offensive line, I feel like we're three deep. I'm real excited about having depth on the offensive line. Logan (Hardin) took the spring off with his knee injury, but looks like he hasn't missed a beat. I'm real excited about him. Rodney (Austin) is Rodney and Gavin (Billings) is getting better at right tackle. I think that could be the strength of our team.
"On the defensive line, I'm anxious to see tomorrow when the full pads come on. Those guys are fast, they're moving around and holding the point. I feel good and feel like we're developing some depth at that position. There are probably going to be some young kids playing."
Swepson on where the team has made the most progress since day one:
"Probably just in believing in themselves. Believing that they can push through the tough practices. I think after that second practice when we did the Phoenix Warriors, there were a couple of guys probably doubting themselves. But they came back the next two days and they believe they can get through this camp. And they're not trying to survive, they're trying to attack it."
Swepson on the senior leadership:
"They're showing the freshmen how to do it. Instead of telling them they are leading by example. I'm very happy with our senior leadership. They've really taken the freshmen under their wings."
Swepson on full contact on Thursday:
"I want to see how physical we will be. We're going to do some tackling drills and we might do some tackling in team situations. That first day you separate the men from the boys. I think they're anxious and are excited to play the game of football in full pads."
Wilson on the first four days:
"I think we're doing pretty good. We're adding on to what we did in the spring. We're on track for just being four practices in. We had some technique and procedure mistakes today, but it's stuff we just put in last night. We'll get through them and get better every day. The little things are what we need to work on the most if we want to win a championship."
Wilson on the freshmen on offense:
"We have a lot of play-makers. Andre (Davis), Tario (Hunter) and Ricky (Brown) are all three young receivers who have a lot of talent. They just need to get a lot of reps, keep working hard, getting in the playbook and watching film. We have three good receivers. In the backfield, we have
Joe Jones who is a very good looking athlete. Just like the other three, he has to get in the playbook.
Wilson on the importance of the offensive line:
"You can't do anything without them. It all starts with the center. You can't have a play without the quarterback getting the ball. I can't throw it and the running backs can't run it without the offensive line to block. We've got some good players up front. Being deep at offensive line is crucial. To have that depth is really good for us and they mean a lot to this offense."
Wilson on the quarterback's relationship with a center:
"It's a real special relationship. Logan and I were here all summer and have talked about it. We worked out together and hung out together. Having that relationship is real special. The center and quarterback are the two key points on the offense. He's controlling his offensive line up front and I'm in control of the backs and receivers. We have to be clicking."
2011 Elon Phoenix Practice Schedule
Thurs., Aug. 11 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Fri., Aug. 12 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Fri., Aug. 12 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Sat., Aug. 13 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Sun., Aug. 14 – 6:00 p.m. – Rhodes Stadium (Scrimmage)
Tues., Aug. 16 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Tues., Aug. 16 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Wed., Aug. 17 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 18 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 18 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Fri., Aug. 19 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Sat., Aug. 20 – 3:00 p.m. – Rhodes Stadium (Scrimmage)
Mon., Aug. 22 – 8:25 a.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Mon., Aug. 22 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Tues., Aug. 23 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Wed., Aug. 24 – 3:40 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 25 – 6:00 p.m. – Rhodes Stadium (Scrimmage)
* Subject to change
-- ELON --
