High Heat Greets Players for Practice No. 2
August 04, 2012 | Football
Aug. 4, 2012
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville head coach Charlie Strong says the goal for the first days of camp is pretty simple - come out and look sharp. For the most part, that's what the 104 players did again on Saturday on the second day of camp.
"It was another good day," said Strong after Saturday's practice. "Today was the second day of practice, but it's still about technique and fundamentals. We have to realize that we still have a young football team. Last year, we had a bunch of first-year starters. If you have an All-American, coach him like an All-American."
The Cardinals conducted a two-hour practice on Saturday, and a bigger crowd showed up this morning. Approximately 1,700 fans braved the heat and stood out there to get their last glimpse of the Cardinals - just 29 days before the season opener against Kentucky. Combined, the Cardinals had more than 3,000 fans for the first two days of open practices.
"The city loves us," said junior defensive tackle Brandon Dunn after Saturday's practice. "They are just proud that we are working hard to get back on top. We are still working to get there. They are excited to see football, and they should be excited. We hope to give them the season that they want."
The Cardinals are breaking in a number of new freshmen this camp and there have been mistakes, which is to be expected the first two days of camp. One of the things Louisville likes to do during the first 10 days of practice is rep three groups instead of two.
The first and second team units appeared to have had a pretty good day on Saturday, despite the excessive heat. Temperatures hovered in the high 90's Saturday afternoon, but the Cardinals looked to be able to withstand the humidity.
"The season opener will be here soon enough," said senior center Mario Benavides. "I have never been a part of a summer that went by so fast. It was a good day out there today, but we have to keep getting better each day."
The Cardinals are off on Sunday and will just take their headshots and position pictures before returning to the field on Monday.
Freshmen Working In: Head coach Charlie Strong continues to be able to be confident in throwing true freshmen into the mix. Freshmen linebackers Keith Brown, James Burgess and Nick Dawson were all in the first and second groups, while defensive lineman DeAngelo Brown and cornerback Devontre Parnell also saw action with the first couple of groups.
Heat Doesn't Bother Me: Despite high temperatures, head coach Charlie Strong wore a clima-fit long sleeve white shirt. When asked about it after Sunday's practice, Strong said it is just a habit, but then added, "I don't want to get sunburned."
