Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Opens Football Practice
8/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 6, 2007
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe welcomed 105 players to the start of preseason practice for the 2007 football season.
The defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions practiced for a little over two hours in shorts, jerseys and helmets, escaping the daytime heat with a 8:15 p.m. practice this evening.
"The best thing our guys can do is to put those championship rings in a safe place," said Grobe on his 2006 ACC championship team. "Last year's team had a lot to be proud of. But for our seniors, this is their team. As good a year as last year was, this is the year that (the seniors) will remember."
The Deacons will practice in helmets for the first two days of practice, then continue with two more days in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) before donning full gear for the first time on Friday.
"The kids are just getting acclimated," said Grobe. "By the end of Saturday's practice, they'll have had two days in helmets, two days in shells and two days in pads. Come Monday, they'll be ready to go full speed.
"This is a pretty good group of guys. They know we have a target on our chest and that we won't sneak up on anybody this season. But the guys are excited and ready for the challenge."
Don Steelman, Wake Forest's assistant athletic trainer in charge of football, keeps Grobe and the coaching staff apprised of the weather and any special precautions that need to be taken in order to keep the players hydrated.
"We help coordinate the breaks that the players take and provide ice towels, Gatorade and water at all times," said Steelman.
"The young guys especially, they go so hard in practice that they're like rabbits, they always want to be out front. And by halfway through practice, they're spent. We make sure they keep drinking fluids all the time."
The Deacons are scheduled to practice again on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
