ELON, N.C. -- The Elon football team returned to the Hunt and Tucker Fields on Wednesday morning for the first of two practices on the day. Following the session we spoke with both head coach
Jason Swepson and defensive coordinator
Ed Pinkham.
Swepson on bouncing back from yesterday's practice:
"The upper classmen are fighting through it. The younger guys are still trying to figure out how to push their bodies. I don't know if we took a step backward, but we didn't take a step forward this morning. We're going to have to regroup and have a good one this afternoon."
Swepson on the adjustment for the freshmen:
"Some of them are doing a good job. Some of them came in a little out of shape and not knowing what the routine would be all about. They're just still figuring that out and are in survival mode. They've got to fight through it and have to know that the only way it's going to be done is the right way."
Swepson on the tight ends:
"Andre (Labinowicz) is laying it on the line every practice. I'm very happy with him. He's been a tremendous leader for us.
Taylor Berry is very steady. And
Matt Eastman is having a very good camp. I'm happy with our three tight ends. Andre might be having the best camp out of anybody on the team."
Pinkham on the young defense:
"The thing about it is that we haven't played a game yet with this system. Like anything else, the adjustments that go with the defenses are things that you can plan on in practice. But you can't possibly practice every option. When you have a couple games under your belt, the kids can remember what they did in situations. Every time they see something new it's the first time right now. The freshmen have the extra challenge of just becoming comfortable with the terminology which in itself a learning process. The nice thing about our offense is that it is very multiple so they see a lot of these things."
Pinkham on the progression of the defense:
"Our first team has done a nice job. They're making checks and adjustments to things they see. Now the game of football isn't played on a whiteboard. In addition to the adjustments that we make, we have to now play with intelligence and a passion and intensity. We've gotten to the point where we understand what we're doing. The next step is to couple it with a great passion for getting after the football.
Pinkham on the two defensive backs who have seen significant playing time:
"Chandler (Wrightenberry) and Blake (Thompson) are doing a great job. I have an awful lot of confidence in both of those guys. They have the leadership and understand the system. They work very, very hard in the classroom to know how to adjust. Often times you'll see the other defensive backs and linebackers look at them for the answer."
On Joshua Jones' leadership:
"He's like the cornerstone. He's the guy who has to set the front. There have been a lot of great athletes who, when they get in the course of the game, the pressure of the game kind of prevents them from thinking. You've got to find somebody who's going to be the quarterback of your defense and who will set the front. It sounds easy, but it's not always easy. And he does a great job."
On the young defensive line:
"Our DL isn't as big as some. They're not the prototypical 270-pound guys. We have to move them a lot. They're doing a good job learning the movements and how it all fits into the package. They take a lot of pride in what they do. And we have a little bit of depth there so that during the course of the game we'll be able to rotate guys in and out."
2011 Elon Phoenix Practice Schedule
Wed., Aug. 17 – 6:10 p.m. – Hunt/Tucker Fields
Thurs., Aug. 18 – 3:40 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 --
