March 28, 2006
ORLANDO - The UCF football team held its fourth practice of the spring inside the Nicholson Fieldhouse Tuesday morning. The Golden Knights hit the field for just over two hours in full pads. A special visitor was in attendance Tuesday as Mike Tice was on hand to watch spring drills. Tice, the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and current assistant head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, played for George O'Leary in high school at Central Islip High School in New York.
"Mike came in last night to say hello and stayed for practice today," commented O'Leary. "He is a bright offensive mind and you always like to visit with people. It was good to see a good friend."
Tuesday's practice featured the best hit of the spring so far by sophomore cornerback Johnell Neal. During a team period, Neal drilled junior tight end Mike Merritt after he caught a pass over the middle and forced a fumble while dislodging Merritt's helmet into the air. The defense roared its approval after the big hit by the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Neal.
"It was a good day," O'Leary continued. "We continue to work hard and get better each day. Saturday's scrimmage was a good day except for the injury to Steven Baker. He may have an ACL injury, which is sad, but hopefully he can get back as soon as he can."
Baker, who was the team's No. 1 middle linebacker on the depth chart, was injured during Saturday's scrimmage.
Away from the practice field, construction workers have begun moving the lights and video tower from the site of the old practice field to the new practice complex. The tower has already been installed on the new site and the light towers are beginning to go in this week.