Aug. 7, 2008

GREENVILLE, N.C. - For the second-straight night, East Carolina conducted its workout under the lights on Hight Field inside the Cliff Moore Practice Complex Thursday. The Pirates, who returned to a single practice schedule a day after completing their initial two-a-day session Wednesday, also enjoyed a reprieve from full-gear as head coach Skip Holtz elected to put his program in shells for the two-hour workout.

Holtz and staff devoted time guiding ECU through situational work during the latter end of the workout. All three levels of the preseason depth chart spent periods on third-and-8, third-and-5 and third and short while also focusing on redzone efficiency with first-and-10 situations inside the 20-yard line both from an offensive and defensive standpoint. The Pirates closed the practice with two-minute drills before welcoming in the special teams squad for field goal repetitions.

"We decided to go in shells tonight because yesterday's two-a-day practice was so physical," Holtz said. "We ran 200 plays in yesterday morning's practice alone before coming back and running 76 last night. They were spent walking off of the field because it was so physical and emotional, not to mention they were in full pads. I feel like I need to start pulling back a little bit with the scrimmage coming on Saturday. However, I felt like our full pad session yesterday was extremely productive."

East Carolina will return to Hight Field and the Cliff Moore Practice Complex for another single workout Friday afternoon to finish preparations for Saturday's intra-squad contest at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The scrimmage, closed to the public, will precede the team's first off day of preseason camp scheduled for Sunday.

"I believe that we had a real good workday today in that it was not too high or too low," Holtz added. "We are trying to build team spirit and be positive, and I have been pleased with the way they have responded. Overall, they are coming out here and working hard, but we are still a long way away, especially on offense in the passing game in terms of timing and protection. There are, however, many good things going on out here. We just have to get rid of the `feast or famine' mentality."

NOTES: Senior Stanley Bryant (OT) and junior Doug Palmer (OG) have both competed as consistent members of the No. 1 offensive line during the last four workouts while strong competition continues between juniors T.J. Harper and Sean Allen at left guard, junior Stephen Heis and senior Fred Hicks at center and junior Terence Campbell and sophomore D.J. Scott at right tackle ... In addition to the 105-man preseason camp roster, there are three players who also reported early but are on campus rehabilitating injuries - TE Michael Byrd (hip), DL Anthony Garner (leg) and PK Ben Hartman (leg) ... In addition, DE Marcus Hands (shoulder), DB Devon Wallace (knee), OL Josh Clark (back) and WR Jacobi Jenkins (groin) sat out Thursday's practice and are listed as out for Saturday's scrimmage ... Friday's Practice Time: 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Season Opener: Aug. 30 vs. Virginia Tech (12 noon) in Charlotte, N.C. (Bank of America Stadium).