Cards Continue Physical Camp with Single Thursday Practice
August 13, 2015 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville defensive line coach L.D. Scott has seen football camp from both perspectives, as a player and now as a coach.
The second-year assistant played for the Cardinals and head coach Bobby Petrino from 2006-09, and Scott understands the demands put on a player throughout training camp. Now, as a coach, he is trying to push his players through a grueling camp.
"This camp is tough," Scott said. "It's going great though. We are getting better and the defense is coming together. We are moving guys around right now, so guys are learning multiple positions."
The Cardinals completed their ninth practice on Thursday morning, but it was one of the toughest practices of fall camp due to the length of practice and the intense heat.
"It's been a grueling, physical camp," defensive tackle Pio Vatuvei said following practice on Thursday. "It's been a grind, but we are coming out each and every day just trying to get better."
The Cardinals have looked better each day on the practice field, especially on defense with a number of returnees back and some key transfers.
One of the those transfers expected to make an immediate impact is junior outside linebacker Devonte' Fields. An athletic linebacker, Fields arrived Aug. 4, but is starting to make an impact as he continues to adjust to his new surroundings.
"I'm still getting used to everybody and learning names," Fields said. "They are working me really hard, but it's been a good adjustment. I'm just trying to be the best that I can be; that's what the coaches want out of me."
Fields has been working with the second unit, but has been elevated in certain packages to the first unit.
"Coach (Todd) Grantham is one of the best coaches in the nation," Fields said. "He likes my ability and skillset. He likes the way I come off the ball, and he thinks I can help this defense."
The defense lost six players to the NFL, but has capable players in the program to build off its top-10 finish nationally. The unit also ranked 10th in the country against the run.
"We have to continue to work on our technique," defensive tackle DeAngelo Brown said. "We just have to continue to push forward. We come to work everyday and work on the things that will make us better players."
The Cardinals hit the practice field for their second double session on Friday at 9 a.m. before Saturday's pivotal scrimmage.
Coach LD Scott and members of the D-line address the media
Coach LD Scott
LD Scott | on the start of camp pic.twitter.com/8mSOXlLflw
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
LD | on the expectations of the DL pic.twitter.com/A3VrdxOyAM
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
LD Scott | on Pio Vatuvei and the DL pic.twitter.com/rdNRbMKaRk
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
Pio Vatuvei | on his focus is to bring energy and effort everyday pic.twitter.com/EB7MZJE5re
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
DeAngelo Brown | on the start of two-a-days pic.twitter.com/WM0YiDeuvk
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
Thursday Practice
Drew Bailey and the defensive line get physical in practice on Thursday #CardsCamp pic.twitter.com/tmFjJSEbek
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
Lamar Jackson throws to wide receivers during skelly period #cardscamp pic.twitter.com/UVx6p1xZOi
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
Defensive line works on staying low with LD Scott watching over the unit #CardsCamp pic.twitter.com/AVytrSGoko
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
Linebackers work on form tackling at practice on Thursday @CoachTGrantham pic.twitter.com/kjNS2MZfYZ
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
WR @Uno1Siete7 makes a catch and run during practice #CardsCamp pic.twitter.com/R2KP0j5An0
- LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 13, 2015
