March 19, 2009
Spring Practice Day 1 Photo Gallery
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF football team kicked off its first spring practice on Thursday morning at the practice fields adjacent to Bright House Networks Stadium. The Knights participated in their first of 15 spring practices that is capped off by the spring game on April 11.
The two-hour practice consisted of installing the running schemes of new offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe. Players practiced today without pads. Three of the practices must be without contact according to NCAA regulations.
Head coach George O'Leary told the media after practice that he was pleased with his team's first full day of practice. The Knights continue practice tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.
Today, sophomore quarterback Rob Calabrese conducted his first interview of his UCF career. Calabrese offered his thoughts after today's practice with a transcription below:
On his first official interview:
"It is cool. I get to talk to everyone out here for once."
On the first day of practice:
"It was a little sloppy, but there are some things I have to fix. We were working on installation. We are trying to be more consistent with the ball."
On the new offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe:
"We got to work with him a little bit. We have had some meetings and going over all the new stuff dealing with the installation. It has been great to work with him."
On the learning process of playing in your freshman year:
"Last season was great experience in starting to understand the speed of the game. I came here in the offseason to lift weights and get stronger. It was a great experience from last season. The speed of the game is so different. You have to be prepared. You just can't go out there and play the game. You have to look at film and study every day. It is not like high school anymore"
On what was toughest part from last year:
"It was just tough overall. I had to learn the offense and then to go in there against Boston College. It was difficult seeing the speed of the game and how different everything is. It was just hard overall. The game started to slow down a little bit by watching film and going through everything. I started to understand the whole system. I really had to know where the coverage is and see everything presnap. That is what really helped out a lot in games."
On being here for spring practice:
"It is going to help a lot. First of all, we have to learn a new offense. We will get the installation completed. It is important to see different defenses, work with the players and understand the tempo of the game."
On developing chemistry with the receivers:
"Every Saturday and Wednesday, all the receivers got together with the quarterbacks and we throw routes in the indoor facility. It helps to get the timing down a lot."
On throwing to wide receiver A.J. Guyton:
"It was my first time throwing with him in practice because in the fall he was hurt. We got to work a little bit in the indoor. I just like him a lot. He comes out of his cuts real good and has a good attitude. He is a funny guy."
On the quarterback competition:
"Competition is good. We are all friends though. You just go in there and try to out play each other."