Aug. 14, 2008
Read official "View From The Hill" blog about fall practice
Baylor conducted the first of its three two-practice days during preseason drills Thursday. The Bears went through a morning session and an afternoon session, both on the practice fields at Floyd Casey Stadium.
Thursday also marked the end of Summer II final exams at Baylor. Therefore, the Bears will conduct all single-practice day sessions during the morning until the fall semester begins Aug. 25, with the exception of two more two-session days - Aug. 18 and Aug. 20.
The Bears return to the practice field Friday at 9:30 a.m. CDT for its 12th session of preseason drills. [Briles quotes below.]
NOTES: Baylor's annual fan day - Meet the Bears - is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16 at noon, following a morning practice and a 10 a.m. scrimmage. ... Season and single-game tickets for Baylor's seven home games are available for purchase (BaylorBears.com, 254-710-1000 or at the Floyd Casey Stadium ticket office). Several season-ticket options are offered with prices at $145 per ticket for the seven-game home schedule. ... Baylor opens its 2008 season Aug. 28 when it hosts 23rd-ranked Wake Forest at Floyd Casey Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in front of an FSN national television audience.
BAYLOR HEAD COACH Art Briles - Aug. 14, 2008
On the morning practice:
"Morning's are always different, because it's a little more humid and we sweated down pretty good. I thought we got some good work done. We have some guys that battled through the elements a little bit. So I was proud of that. We've got some others that need to battle a little harder."
On becoming more consistent:
"It's just hard to tell in workout situations. I think through the scrimmage Saturday, we'll be able to see a little more. But we just can't have a play that doesn't count on either side of the ball. Every play's got to count and it's got to be productive. From the offensive standpoint, we've got to get positive yards. Defense standpoint, you've got to adjust to the play and you've got to stop them and get them into long-yardage and predictable situations.
On receiver Thomas White's versatility:
"What I like about him is first of all he's got good size and he's got good skill to go with his size and he's mature. What he's got to do is he should be a guy that there's never a question mark about. When he's on the field, you ought to know what you're going to get every snap. There shouldn't ever be any question as to how he's going to perform or how the product's going to be at the end of the day.
On the defense as a whole being impact players:
"Oh, no doubt. Have to be. But if you buckle it up, you need to be an impact player. It doesn't matter whether you're defense, offense, special teams. But they possess the quick-twitch ability to get out there and make plays in a hurry with some dynamic qualities."
