March 24, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF football team continued its spring practice on Tuesday morning as the Knights were in full pads of the second-consecutive session. The Knights worked for just over two hours on the fields adjacent to the Wanye Densch Sports Center.
Today's practice continued installation of the running and passing games, but gradually introduced the full-contact aspect in the drills. With four sets of offensive and defensive teams, the coaches have the ability of setting up two simultaneous live action 11-on-11 team drills.
The Knights will return to the practice fields on Wednesday. The session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. where the players will wear full pads.
UCF will hold its conclusion to spring practice with its annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 11 at Bright House Networks Stadium. The scrimmage begins at 2 p.m. and general admission tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the UCF Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000, online at UCFAthletics.com, or in-person at Bright House Networks Stadium.
The defensive line anchor, Torrell Troup spent some time with UCFAthletics.com after practice to talk about his impact on the defensive side of the ball. The senior from Conyers, Ga. is expected to be a leader on the defensive line.
On today's practice:
"Today, we started on some new plays. Trying to get the feel of them and understanding the coverage as well as the responsibilities of the defensive linemen.
On the effect of the heat during practice:
"It is not really that bad. Coming back here in August. It will really be hot. We have a nice little breeze out here, so it is really not that bad at all."
On putting on the pads and hitting:
"It feels pretty good. I have been getting double teamed sometimes. It has been difficult for me to get into plays. They are trying to keep me off everybody. It has been a lot better since we put on pads because not having on pads makes it seem like we are just walking through."
On overcoming the double team:
"I am going to have to work hard in the weight room and work on exploding through the center. So, I can reappear at the second level and make a good play in the backfield."
On the activities that you do together as a defensive line unit:
"We hang out. We eat and play video games. We were all in the room yesterday playing NCAA. We go out to eat on Tuesdays at Buffalo Wild Wings. We just do a whole bunch of things. We like to play FIFA. My whole room plays FIFA. We go outside and play soccer out here. We do everything together. Sha'reff Rashad, he got everyone playing soccer in our whole room."
On your new nickname "War Daddy:"
"I know Coach O'Leary said that about me. I take it as a complement because I do my job and I try to make sure that I hold my ground. Even though, I might get double teamed. I am trying to free up the linebackers. I want to do my job and I am not going to quit."
On developing into a leader on the field:
"I guess I have to be more vocal. I am not really a vocal type of guy. I try to be, actually. I already talked to the coaches and they said that they want me to be a more vocal leader. Not just with the defensive line, but with the team. I guess you keep doing it. If I see someone doing something wrong, then I am going to say something to them. If I see someone doing something right. I am going to say something, too. Like on the defensive line, we have a lot of young kids."
On being a leader for the younger players:
"I might talk to them in the locker room or when we are out on the field. It they do something wrong or right. I would give them a pat on the butt and tell them what they did right. I would also try to coach them on the things that they did wrong."
On the learning process during your first camp:
"I remember going through my first camp and it was so hard, so many days. They pulled me aside to talk to me. They let me know that I had to keep focus because being out here every day really messes with your mind. It really helped me to ease my nerves."
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