Aug. 12, 2004
Columbia, S.C. –
• South Carolina’s football team had a walk through Thursday morning at the practice fields, going over corrections from the day’s previous film session. Heavy rains soaked the fields shortly after lunch and forced the squad to practice at the indoor facility in the afternoon. Despite having to move indoors, the team practiced in full gear and seemed to get a lot accomplished.
• Injury report: DT Eric Stroman has a sprained left foot and is out indefinitely; C John Strickland did not practice Thursday after spraining his ankle on Wednesday. He possibly could return to practice on Friday. C Fran Person suffered a slight concussion during Thursday’s practice and will be re-evaluated on Friday. Following Thursday’s workout, assistant head coach Skip Holtz met with the media and here are some of his comments: “The practice fields were drenched, so we were able to accomplish a lot more by going inside than trying to work on wet fields. We had a much better practice today offensively. Our first offensive line unit is starting to come on. With the injuries to John Strickland and Fran Person at center, we worked Chris White and Kris Mick there today. I think we’re starting to understand things a little better on offense. The defense is throwing a lot of things at us. For every offensive play you run, you’re liable to see 3 or 4 different coverages and blitzes. Blake Mitchell is making progress at quarterback. He’s doing a good job of picking things up mentally. I think the offensive line is starting to show some leadership and maturity. The quality of our backs has improved since we first got here five years ago. We have more size up front than we’ve ever had. From the looks of things, our strength on offense is our line and running backs. I’m sure we’ll try to play to our strengths. The freshman quarterback, Antonio Heffner, is going to be a good one. He’s got a good release, he’s intelligent and I think he’s got a good future. But, he’s a guy that needs to be redshirted. At the present time, we’re not able to get him the number of reps that he needs, because Blake (Mitchell) and Syvelle Newton need all the reps that they can get.”
• The squad will have their first true day of double practices on Friday. A workout in full pads is scheduled for in the morning. In the afternoon, the team will work out in shells (shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets).
• Friday’s practices are closed. Defensive coordinator Rick Minter will be available, as will requested players, outside the players’ entrance at approximately 12 noon on Friday.
