Eagles enjoy contact; full pads Friday
Thursday, Aug. 9 - Head coach Jim Nichols put his first Faulkner football team through a two-hour workout Thursday in shoulder pads and helmets, with the primary focus on determining how many of the 155 players dressed are truly serious about playing collegiate football.
"We're making sure it's tough and physical,'' said Nichols, whose Eagles are preparing for their inaugural game on Sept. 1 at Pikeville (Ky.). "We're really trying to test them and push them. You win games by being physical, and we plan on being physical. You obviously can't get there when you're in shorts and T-Shirts.''
Nichols said there was an emphasis placed on interior line play on Thursday, something that could not happen without pads. And as good as Thursday was with some limited contact forNichols and his staff, he admits Friday should prove to be even better. For the first time, the Eagles will put on full pads and participate in their first full-contact work.
"Everybody is excited about that,'' he said. "I know our guys want to show us what they have, and we want to see it. We'll do a lot of one-on-one tackling drills and a lot of open-field stuff, where our guys will have to break down and make some plays.''
As for the sweltering heat, with Friday expected to be the hottest day of the year, Nichols says his players have kept a great attitude about it.
"How ironic is that?'' he asked. "First day in full pads will be the hottest day. Our guys have been great. I suspect nobody else is taking the day off tomorrow, so we're not either. We're keeping them hydrated and closely monitored.''
Faulkner begins two-a-days Saturday with an early morning practice and another right before lunch before taking the rest of the day off.