Thunderstorms rolled through the area in the afternoon forcing the team to practice on the turf for the first time. After a brief shower during the first few periods of practice, sunny skies and humid temperatures took its toll on the players, but the team fought through it and had a very productive practice.
“We have a lot of work to do after just two practices,” offensive coordinator Lonnie Galloway said. “We are just two days into practice so there aren’t too many offenses in the country who are where they want to be at this point. The guys are working hard, but we still have to get better.”
The vets had a spirited and competitive practice on Thursday afternoon, going through a two hour and twenty-minute practice. Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson threw the ball decisively and worked the entire field. He stood in the pocket and went through his progressions and found a number of his receivers down the field.
“Lamar has definitely improved on making his reads,” senior wide receiver Jamari Staples said after practice. “He has improved on his drop backs and putting the ball in the right place. You can tell he has definitely studied a lot in the summer.”
Galloway said the team came back camp in great shape, but he understands there is still a lot of work to do before the Sept. 1 opener against Charlotte.
“They did a great job in the weight room this summer,” Galloway said. “We need to contine to build. We are just two days into it, so we will be ok as we continue to move forward.”
During the team period, safety Josh Harvey-Clemons made a nice read on an underthrown pass and picked it out, while Chucky Williams made another nice play, but did drop a sure interception.
For the second-straight day, the rookies took the field in the morning at 8:50 a.m. and practiced for about two hours. Freshmen wide outs Dez Fitzpatrick, Seth Dawkins and Keion Wakefield continue to show a lot of potential after the first two days with the newcomers.
“The youngsters still have a long way to go, especially my wide outs,” Galloway said. “We have been doing . They still have a long way to go – still trying to figure out how we practice and who can play. They are still trying to find themselves and figure out how college football works. Fitzpatrick, Keion and Seth have shown some flashes, and Jawon (Pass) has showed flashes, but we are still trying to get comfortable and get ourselves together.”
Defensive line coach L.D. Scott likes the ability of Louisville product Derek Dorsey, who is a true freshman defensive lineman from Manual High School. Dorsey has potential to help the Cardinals in the upcoming seasons.
The Cardinals will have split practices for the final time when the rookies hit the field at 8:50 a.m. on Friday morning.
Notes: Louisville will practice in shorts and shoulder for the first time consecutive day on Friday– splitting the rookies and veterans for the third and final day … The Cards will practice as a full team for the first time on Saturday at 3 p.m… According to Galloway, freshmen wide receivers Dez Fitzpatrick and Seth Dawkins continue to impress during the morning practice on Thursday… Freshman Keion Wakefield worked well in the slot, while Galloway also singled out sophomore wide out Emonee Spence, who had a good second day of work. Galloway said Wakefield has come in and picked up the offense well and has made some plays. Galloway has compared senior wide receiver Jamari Staples to former West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White, who was a first-round selection of the Chicago Bears in 2015. Media Day is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:15 a.m.
