Thursday, August 15, 2002

First day of full pads produces spirited workouts for FIU Football

he first day in full pads produced a spirited afternoon practice for the FIU football team especially in the Oklahoma Drills that pitted offensive vs. defensive linemen and running backs against linebackers, in one-on-one situations.

"That's the one time other than a scrimmage where they'll have a chance to really go after one another," said head coach Don Strock. "We gave everybody six to eight reps so we can evaluate them on film.

"These are important drills for us and we'll use them to determine things like which back will be in there on a pass play or who is the best blocker against the blitz."

Despite the afternoon session lasting less than two hours, Strock was happy with all the team accomplished. It began with the offense running plays from its own goal line, included special teams' field goal work and some 80 plays in team drills.

Place kicker Adam Moss (Coral Springs/American Heritage) went up against a full-speed defense and converted two-of-four field goals attempts from 53 yards. Of the two misses, one was blocked, the other went slightly right.

Moss played football for two years at American Heritage after transferring from the International School of Kuala Lumpur, in the capital city of Malaysia, where he was an all-star soccer player.

"Adam really has a strong leg, then he went out and took kicking lessons this past summer from Hector Teachera, who coached (Miami Dolphins kicker) Olindo Mare," Strock said. "Adam has been working hard on his technique and he has shown great improvement."

There were no new injuries from either session with several others returned to practice Thursday, including tight end Dannon Monroe (Ft. Lauderdale/Plantation) and nickel back Greg Moss (Miami/Norland) who were nursing a sore toe and a pulled hamstring respectively.

Strock also got good news at the middle linebacker spot where starter Lance Preston (Hollywood Chaminade), who is still awaiting surgery on a right thumb ligament tear, was fitted with a soft cast and should return to work Friday. His backup, Shaun Dudney (Miami Palmetto), who went down Wednesday with a left LCL injury, had the knee x-rayed and results were negative. He is listed as day-to-day.

Practice times have been changed Friday with the team taking the field at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. There will be no evening workout on Friday.