Rattlers feel the heat at first practice

By: Heath A. Smith, TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

With the temperature rising to 100 degrees, the heat took its toll on players and coaches Monday.

The heat took freshman nose tackle Nick Hollinghead, out of Cocoa Beach High School, down within the first 15 minutes of practice, while junior tight end Taj Jenkines didn't go down until the team ran wind sprints some three hours later.

The heat even dropped defensive line coach William "Tim" Orr to one knee at one point.

"He got a little light-headed," Carter said. "Coaches get it too, not just the players."

Offensive line coach Kevin Thompson said he felt a little light-headed at one point during practice.

Carter said scheduling conflicts forced him to practice in the afternoon this week.

"We had orientation for the freshmen, which is mandatory under the NCAA rules," Carter said. "Scheduling-wise, we had to do it that way so they could go over to academic support and go through their acclimation period.

"We took it at a nice, slow pace and had some intervals in to give us some breaks. It was a slow day, but we will get progressively better as we go. We're just easing into it as we go. It was really a great mental practice for us."

Frequent water breaks allowed players, coaches and trainers to remain hydrated. Players were allowed to take off their helmets during a few of the practice segments.

That doesn't mean the afternoon practice session was a total breeze.

Antwuan Moore, a Lincoln High graduate competing for playing time at cornerback and on special teams this season, said the summer workouts didn't completely prepare players for the reality of Monday's first practice.

"You can't really get used to this," Moore said. "It takes soul. You've got to have it in your heart to prepare for it. We worked out from 3:30 to 5:30 in the summer, but you can't get used to this. First day, everything going on - it's just hot."

Moore, a sophomore who also competes on FAMU's track team, said he realizes Monday was just the first of many sessions the Rattlers will have to handle the heat.

"Once two-a-days start, you have to suck it up every day," Moore said. "You've got to have it in your heart to get through it."

Veteran point of view
Redshirt-junior linebacker Vernon Wilder and redshirt-senior quarterback Albert Chester II have been through their share of preseason camps at FAMU, so who better to give their assessments of the team after the first day of practice Monday?

"Today was a usual first day," Wilder said. "Everybody was a little winded and tired. We still had good energy on the defensive side. The veterans looked sharp."

As for the freshmen?

"You know the freshmen," Wilder said. "They are slow to the program. They aren't used to our speed yet, but they will get used to it."

Chester, with offensive coordinator Bob Cole staring down at him, was measured in his impressions of the first practice of the season.

"Today wasn't bad," Chester said. "Today wasn't bad at all. Just trying to get the timing back on the seven-on-seven drills and live work. Some of the new guys came on strong."

Chester said true freshman receivers Kevin Elliott, out of Orlando Colonial High School, and Orion Ponder, out of Colquitt County (Ga.) High School, had particularly positive outings for their first practices.

"Ponder was one of the young guys that stood out and definitely Elliott," Chester said. "He (Elliott) made some impressive catches today. Pads or no pads, we're just trying to improve everyday."


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