Orange Gridders Begin Spring Practice
3/19/2008 7:53:52 PM | Football
Energy and excitement carried throughout the Carrier Dome as the 2008 football Orange took the field for the first day of Spring practice on Wednesday. Fourth-year Head Coach Greg Robinson was pleased with the results of the team’s first practice.
“I think players and coaches alike are excited to get out there and get started on the 2008 season,” Robinson said. “It was great to get out there."
Spring practice marked the return of running backs Delone Carter and Curtis Brinkley. Carter missed the 2007 campaign after injuring his hip in 2007 Spring practice and Brinkley missed part of the 2007 season with a broken leg. Robinson was impressed with the tailbacks group, which includes Carter and Brinkley, as well as sophomore Doug Hogue , junior Daniel Bailey and freshman Averin Collier.
“We’re using Delone and Curtis in certain situations where there is no contact and very little activity as far as a real defense lined up against them,” Robinson said. “In the meantime, the three other tailbacks are all going at it and working hard. The backs did a good job. They were working.”
Robinson was also enthusiastic about the progress Carter has made since his injury.
“Delone has worked extremely hard and I think that is pretty obvious. There are a lot of things that he looks good doing right now but he isn’t out there playing the game yet. We just need to take our time and bring him along. It is great just to see him out there on that football field working again.”
Overall Robinson and the Orange share an eagerness to get the 2008 season underway.
“I know that they are ready to get back out there and I have sensed that even through the winter program. This group really wants to turn it around badly. They want to be looked at as winners and so I think they are pretty intent about that.”
The Orange will hold its annual Spring game on Saturday, April 19 at the Carrier Dome. Season tickets are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX).
