TicketsAug. 17, 2007
WEST HARRISON, Ind.-- Holding the controls of the University of Cincinnati's football practice, head coach Brian Kelly turned the pace down and then high during a two-hour session on the field at Higher Ground Retreat and Conference Center. Kelly's staff spent much of the workout teaching the Bearcats and then turned it over to the team for application.
"We slowed it down to work on protections for our quarterbacks," said Kelly. "We had a little bit of a teaching session on the field today. We need to make sure we are smart as a football team . One of the things we need to get better at is our football intelligence."
The Bearcats went through their standard schedule for the first hour of the workout before changing gears. The offense and defense moved to opposite ends where coaches became lecturers on terminology, proper communication and sighting adjustments.
Kelly added, "The evaluation process is not complete until they put what you teach them into practice. The only way I know how to do it is to teach them and then see if they can go out and do it. I'm pleased our kids are attentive and we get better every day."
The afternoon was as much preparation for Saturday's activities as it was for the season ahead. Saturday afternoon, the Bearcats are conducting their second live scrimmage of the preseason.
"The freshmen will get a lot of work," stated Kelly. "We have a lot of guys that we have questions about, especially at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. We will let them sort that out tomorrow and see if that helps us make a decision as to who our No. 1 is."
Saturday afternoon's practice begins at 3:05 p.m. The live scrimmage portion is set to get underway at approximately 4 p.m..