ELON, N.C. -- In full pads for the second time this spring, the Elon football team completed its sixth practice of the season on Thursday morning.  Near the end of the practice, the Phoenix went through a "live" scrimmage.  Following the workout, the players heard from Arizona Cardinals' safety Kerry Rhodes.

The energy was high throughout practice as the team worked on position drills, pass skeleton and special teams as well.

Here are coach Jason Swepson's thoughts on today's practice:

Swepson on the quarterback play:

"Mike Quinn had a good day, not only in the scrimmage, but throughout practice.  Right now we're trying to find a number two quarterback.  I really like where Thomas Wilson is right now, not only with command of the playbook, but also with the team.  Quinny's been in the system for two years now where Blake Rice was on scout team a  year ago.  Mike's got a little more experience in the playbook and is able to go one, two, three in his reads and that showed today in the scrimmage.  Hopefully we can use all three quarterbacks and have different packages for all of them."

Swepson on what he was looking for in the scrimmage defensively:

"I wanted to see if guys could line up, use their hands to strike and tackle and they showed that today.  The defense is usually a little more advanced in this time of spring ball.  It's a veteran group and when we put in our blitz package we think they'll be tough to stop."

Swepson on the special teams units:

"We have a veteran group coming back on special teams.  We have our center back, we have our long-snapper back, our punter back and our place kicker back.  We have to find a holder.  We need someone there who has good hands, can spin the ball and can handle the pressure.  It's a position that could cost you a game if you're not solid there.  We're looking for Kenton Beal or Mike Quinn to be that guy."

Swepson on the message delivered by Rhodes:

"Kerry is working out with our track coach and wanted to get a track workout instead of a football workout.  He understands he still has to work hard to survive in the NFL and he shared that message with our guys today.  It gives validation to the guys that they have to work hard.  You might be the best player on the team, or the best player in the conference, but if you're not working hard 24/7 someone will beat you out."