Hurricanes
Hurricanes Roundup 8/12/04
By The Source
Aug 12, 2004

Compiled from a variety of sources throughout the day

CORAL GABLES � Miami's receivers usually are the unit most plagued by injuries, but this fall the Hurricanes intend on handling their five veterans with care.

The need is significant considering that both projected starters, Ryan Moore and Roscoe Parrish, missed most, if not all of last spring's sessions because of injuries. Moore underwent shoulder surgery after last season, and Parrish had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee midway through the spring to clean out loose particles. By the time spring practices concluded, just about all of the receivers were worn down by one nagging injury or another.

Now that everyone is healthy, coach Larry Coker would like to keep it that way, but realizes the unexpected will happen. Sinorice Moss injured his shoulder during 7-on-7 drills Wednesday when safety Greg Threat barreled into him along the sideline. Moss returned to action a couple of minutes later.

"It's the nature of the business," Coker said. "Their legs are going to get tired.

"The main thing we try to do to keep the receivers healthy is make sure [defensive] guys stay off of their legs and don't grab.

"That's how Roscoe got hurt last year. He got grabbed from behind, tweaked his knee and needed surgery.

"We're trying to stay away from the foolish things."

Coker wants to redshirt the two freshmen receivers, Lance Leggett and Khalil Jones, but realizes injuries might alter that plan.

If needed, receivers coach Curtis Johnson said Leggett and Jones, who have both struggled to get off the line of scrimmage when jammed by a cornerback, have the talent to contribute immediately.

-JENNINGS LIMITED

Cornerback Kelly Jennings, a projected starter opposite Antrel Rolle, is being held out of some drills for precautionary reasons after having a knee scoped this summer.

"We're trying to make sure we guard him a little bit and not set him back from his surgery," Coker said of Jennings, a junior who has started 17 games in two seasons.

-The University of Miami football team continued fall workouts at the Greentree Practice Facility in shorts and helmets on Wednesday afternoon with a two-hour practice under the hot Florida sun.

"It was an even better day today," Head Coach Larry Coker said. "The practice was like we had hoped. The coaches really stressed effort and finish, and I think we got a lot of that today."

The Hurricanes' coaching staff began using a play clock on Wednesday afternoon to quicken the pace of practice.

"We got the clock out and moved a lot faster," Coker said. "I thought we moved around pretty good."

The play of the Miami linebacker corps has impressed Coker through the first two days of practice.

"I have been really pleased with the play of the linebackers, especially Tavares Gooden. He is really doing an outstanding job."

Wide Receiver Roscoe Parrish stood out on the offensive side of the ball on Wednesday, making several outstanding catches and then doing a great job of running after the catch."

"Roscoe had a good day," Coker said. "I think, again, their legs are a little tired because we have worked them pretty hard. He had a good day and made some big plays today, and that is encouraging."

The Hurricanes will return to the practice field at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.