Preseason Camp Report -- Aug. 10
The team's final day in half pads led to a spirited practice session Monday afternoon at Wolf Pack Park.
Of course, it is easier to enjoy practice when you are in the proper shape. Earlier we discussed the overall conditioning level on the team. Director of Strength and Conditioning Matt Eck attributed the strides that were made to three things.
First was scheduling. Folloiwng the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl game against Maryland, the Pack went straight into its winter conditioning period. Then came spring drills, which started much earlier this year (in February) and that allowed the team to go through another condition period before school was out in May.
"That extra conditioning period was important and we were able to do more with it," Eck said.
Second, the voluntary workouts over the summer were much more running intensive -- "more quantity," as Eck put it.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, was the attitude of the players torward the conditioning sessions and workouts.
"They have to want to be there," Eck said. "And these guys did. They worked with a purpose."]
More tomorrow on the physical condition of this team, from a different perspective.
CAMPER OF THE DAY: Junior Courtney Randall.
With the prolific and proven production of guys like Vai Taua and Luke Lippincott and the pure potential of the likes of Lampford Mark and Mike Ball, it's easy for a back like Randall to get lost in the shuffle. But consider this statistic: In 2008, 70 percent of the time that he carried the ball, the result was a first down or a touchdown.
"With all the depth that we have, the guy who stood out the most today was Courtney," running backs coach Jim Mastro said. "It seems like that when the ball goes into his hands, all he does is produce."
WHAT'S ON TAP: Tuesday is the first day of full pads and that means the first day of full contact. At this point, four days into camp, the players are ususally ready to hit something and the coaches oblige with one of the most interesting drills that the Pack runs. More on that tomorrow.
