Aug. 12, 2008
Pre-Season Football Photo Gallery
EASTON, Pa. - With the weather finally cooperating, Lafayette Football resumed camp on Tuesday at Fisher Field. The team, practicing in full pads, welcomed the nice weather and the opportunity to finally play with full gear.
The practice consisted of various positional drills in which the quarterbacks worked with the running backs on passes out of the backfield. The receivers did extensive work with route running. Defensive backs participated in pass deflection and coverage drills, while lineman and linebackers had the chance to participate in more physical and combative drills.
The tempo at practice picked up when the team had the chance to participate in live but modified scrimmage. Highlights included a deep pass down the right sideline from junior quarterback Rob Curley to sophomore wide receiver Mark Layton. Senior wideout Shaun Adair was also on the receiving end of some deep passes from the quarterbacks. On the defensive side junior defensive back Carlos Lowe made an athletic interception, meanwhile breaking up several pass attempts throughout the practice.
Senior captain and starting fullback Joe Russo said, "The more confident everyone gets the more energy there is. Things were slow at first, but there is steady progression every day we practice."
Russo also mentioned that the freshman are coming along and getting to learn the system. The transition process for them has gone smoothly so far.
Linebacker Andy Romans the Pre-Season Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year said, "With the team now getting to practice with full pads guys are having fun and are excited to go to practice everyday."
When asked about the pressure that comes with being the returning and Pre-Season Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year he said, "I don't really feel any pressure. We have a great defense and I'm surrounded by great guys. That makes it real easy to just go out and have fun playing football."
Lafayette was finally able to escape a run of bad weather, and practiced in a bright and sunny Fisher Field. Head Coach Frank Tavani felt that the good weather was an opportunity to continue to move forward. He said, "I thought it went pretty well we've been getting these practices cut short. We've been chased by lightning pretty regularly. I thought it was real smooth everybody was ready to start playing real football instead. Again we did very little live work we're blocking live, but we are not tackling to the ground just yet. We're easing into that, we'll do a little bit more as each practice comes. I was just real pleased with the progress and real pleased with the tempo of practice."
Practice ended with conditioning where the Leopards looked to be nearing season shape. Coach Tavani said, "Overall in conditioning, I think we are in great shape. The kids have really responded to everything that we want that they got a great attitude. They are starting to bond as a team, becoming a unit as we go deeper into preseason."
Lafayette continues tomorrow with team meetings in the morning followed by practice at 1:30 p.m. An intrasqaud scrimmage is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 7:15 p.m.
