TALLAHASSEE, Fla.
- The FAMU Rattlers football team had the last day of hitting this week before Saturday's Orange & Green Game.
They started the day with warm-up exercises, before breaking up into segments. The offense and defense broke off into segmented drills.
Finally, the team went to an extended 11-on-11 drill. The action was "live," meaning that full speed hitting was imposed. Coach Taylor was impressed with the balance of successes that happened on the field. With the No.1 offense going against the No.1 defense, it was a battle of back and forth.
Initially, the swarming Rattler defense took control of practice, including an interception on a tipped pass, but the Rattler offense would come storming back.
Austin Trainor completed a couple of crisp passes, one in particular to Kevin Elliott, that showed his arm strength. Additionally, Eddie Rocker had some success at running back. Lavontae Paige also broke off a long run on the Rattler defense. James Owens made the offensive play of the day in a 70-yard scamper from scrimmage to score on an off-tackle play.
The defense began to make some big hits as the practice elevated to real game intensity levels. It resulted in a skirmish that was quickly halted. Taylor seemed to enjoy the practice, even yelling in exclamation after a big defensive hit, but did not appreciate the minor lapse in discipline.
Situational special teams reps were taken throughout the 11-on-11 drills. Trevor Scott was perfect on field goals and Brandon Holdren got good hangtime on his punts. Windy conditions made it more difficult for Holdren to nail some precision punts, but overall Taylor was pleased with what he saw.
"This was a good practice," Taylor said to his team. He explained that the cool temperature, which was approximately 63 degrees, and the hard hitting reminded him of the Fall.
An obviously excited coach, turned disciplinarian at the end of the solid practice. Several conditioning reps were awarded to the team by Taylor, to accent the brief lack in discipline. Strength and conditioning coach Russell Barbarino directed the nearly 30 minutes of additional conditioning at the end of practice.
The Rattlers will take off Wednesday, while preparing for their April 2, Orange and Green game.
They started the day with warm-up exercises, before breaking up into segments. The offense and defense broke off into segmented drills.
Finally, the team went to an extended 11-on-11 drill. The action was "live," meaning that full speed hitting was imposed. Coach Taylor was impressed with the balance of successes that happened on the field. With the No.1 offense going against the No.1 defense, it was a battle of back and forth.
Initially, the swarming Rattler defense took control of practice, including an interception on a tipped pass, but the Rattler offense would come storming back.
Austin Trainor completed a couple of crisp passes, one in particular to Kevin Elliott, that showed his arm strength. Additionally, Eddie Rocker had some success at running back. Lavontae Paige also broke off a long run on the Rattler defense. James Owens made the offensive play of the day in a 70-yard scamper from scrimmage to score on an off-tackle play.
The defense began to make some big hits as the practice elevated to real game intensity levels. It resulted in a skirmish that was quickly halted. Taylor seemed to enjoy the practice, even yelling in exclamation after a big defensive hit, but did not appreciate the minor lapse in discipline.
Situational special teams reps were taken throughout the 11-on-11 drills. Trevor Scott was perfect on field goals and Brandon Holdren got good hangtime on his punts. Windy conditions made it more difficult for Holdren to nail some precision punts, but overall Taylor was pleased with what he saw.
"This was a good practice," Taylor said to his team. He explained that the cool temperature, which was approximately 63 degrees, and the hard hitting reminded him of the Fall.
An obviously excited coach, turned disciplinarian at the end of the solid practice. Several conditioning reps were awarded to the team by Taylor, to accent the brief lack in discipline. Strength and conditioning coach Russell Barbarino directed the nearly 30 minutes of additional conditioning at the end of practice.
The Rattlers will take off Wednesday, while preparing for their April 2, Orange and Green game.
