A Sea Of Red

The 2013 Liberty Flames football team members report tomorrow for check in and their first team meeting with the first practice set for 9:15 am the next day. Here is the full training camp schedule (all practices open to the public):

7/31 (Wed.) - Practice #1 (Helmets) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/1 (Thurs.) - Practice #2 (Helmets) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/2 (Fri.) - Practice #3 (Half pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/3 (Sat.) - Practice #4 (Half pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

8/4 (Sun.) - Practice #5 (Full pads) - 3:15 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
8/5 (Mon.) – Players' Day Off
8/6 (Tues.) - Practice #6 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/7 (Wed.) - Practice #7 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/8 (Thurs.) - Practice #8 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/9 (Fri.) - Practice #9 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/10 (Sat.) - Practice #10 (Full pads) - 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Note: Scrimmage begins at 7:06 p.m.)

8/11 (Sun.) – Players' Day Off
8/12 (Mon.) - Practice #11 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/13 (Tues.) - Practice #12 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/14 (Wed.) - Practice #13 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/15 (Thurs.) - Practice #14 (Full pads) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
8/16 (Fri.) - Practice #15 (Full pads) - 7:10 p.m. - 9:10 p.m.
8/17 (Sat.) - Practice #16 (Full pads) - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Note: Flames Fan Fest/Scrimmage begins at 7:06 p.m.)

8/18 (Sun.) - Liberty Football Photo Day - 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Note: Team will hold a special teams practice from 8 to 8:30 p.m.)
8/19 (Mon.) - Players Day Off (Note: Liberty University First Day of Classes)
8/20 (Tues.) - In-Season Practice #1 - 3:45 p.m. - 6 p.m.
8/21 (Wed.) - In-Season Practice #2 - 3:45 p.m. - 6 p.m.
8/22 (Thur.) - In-Season Practice #3 - 3:45 p.m. - 6 p.m.
8/23 (Fri.) - In-Season Practice #4 - 5:10 p.m. - 6:10 p.m.
8/24 (Sat.) – Players' Day Off

8/25 (Sun.) - In-Season Practice #5 - 3:45 p.m. - 6 p.m.
8/26 (Mon.) - In-Season Practice #6 - TBA
8/27 (Tues.) - In-Season Practice #7 - 3:45 p.m. - 6 p.m.
8/28 (Wed.) - Travel Day to Kent, Ohio (Note: Walk Thru Practice at Dix Stadium during the afternoon)
8/29 (Thurs.) - Season Opener vs. Kent State - 6 p.m. (ESPN3) (Kent, Ohio/Dix Stadium)

I'm planning to go by each Friday the first couple weeks and then make an appearance as my work schedule will allow to get a look at the team and post my thoughts on my Fan the Flames blog the next day (again depending on my work schedule once I start). Im sure the boys at Flames Nation will also be there throughout and will have their thoughts on the team.

Sad to see those two on the shelf. Though the WR group is very green, from a numbers standpoint, he probably wasnt going to see a ton of time in my view. Id say sit him out this year, get him healthy and maybe pursue a 6th year if he wants it in a couple seasons

Losing Bayoh from an experience standpoint is tough, will be interesting to see who steps up to fill the #2 position behind Aikens, a returner or one of the incoming freshmen...speaking of that...any word on how many of the freshmen could get on the field vs. redshirted?

Probably way too early to tell on that. Maybe after a scrimmage or two. Those decisions are usually made closer to the start of classes later in August.

Word on the street from an anonymous official is that are "O" & "D" line will proly cost us the season..

After a day? Someone's going to make a call about how good we are after a day? That person is stupid.

SuperJon wrote:After a day? Someone's going to make a call about how good we are after a day? That person is stupid.

Jon's right...we have had one practice session...if it were august 28 and they were saying that...THEN they may have a point...but after one practice session...anyone who makes any assumptions at this point is off their rocker

Folks always trying to stir up trouble. On Big South Media Day, Coach Gill was quick to point out the 2 lines as the area he was most excited about. $ starters back on the Oline and 2 on the Dline. These units will not present an issue and will be a plus..

Ya, the only real question mark is the WRs... and that's only because they're young. Still a ton of talent, just unproven. Defense is as good as ever. This is a very talented team.

I wouldn't say that's the only question mark. Running back is one. We still don't know if Allen will be cleared. I'm not sold on Des Rice as an every down option, and I'm not buying into Richardson until I actually see him play.

I think the only issue with Richardson is staying healthy enough to play. He proved he was a productive back at the FBS level as a Freshman, then struggled with injuries last year. If he is anywhere near 100% he will be very good.

Those were both concerns for me when I was doing my summer research into the team Chris. I do hope to see someone step up at both positions and take the reins.

Chris Lang wrote:I wouldn't say that's the only question mark. Running back is one. We still don't know if Allen will be cleared. I'm not sold on Des Rice as an every down option, and I'm not buying into Richardson until I actually see him play.

Valid point, I guess I'm just more optimistic than you But in all seriousness, I think Allen will be cleared to play and Richardson will be stout in the backfield. Agree on Rice. He's a threat with lots of potential, but still unproven.

I've just seen the "FBS guy is supposed to be the savior" meme too often at this level to think it's automatic that he'll just tear things up. For every Rashad Jennings, there's a Ryan Ayers. Richardson certainly can be very productive. I just want to see it first, that's all.

BJWilliams wrote:

SuperJon wrote:After a day? Someone's going to make a call about how good we are after a day? That person is stupid.

Jon's right...we have had one practice session...if it were august 28 and they were saying that...THEN they may have a point...but after one practice session...anyone who makes any assumptions at this point is off their rocker

Had nothing to do with one practice. It was a comment that was associated with what he saw at the spring game.

So youre saying that this guy, based on how they did in an intrasquad scrimmage four MONTHS ago will determine how those two units will do this season? Seriously? and you actually took that as gospel based on now two practice sessions?

I don't understand how both can be judged to be problems when they were competing in the spring game against .... wait for it.... EACH OTHER! If one looked bad could it be because the other was pretty darn good? if neither was dominant, they could either be both weak or both strong. Depending on who said it and to whom, it could also have been meant as a motivational tool. No need to be spreading that stuff around anyway.

jlread wrote:It was a comment that was associated with what he saw at the spring game.

They aren't even allowed to tackle in the spring game, are they? Maybe that's why the defense looked so suspect.

More notes!

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... 0f31a.html

I walked by practice today on my way to a meeting and noticed one of those heavy punching bags on the sidelines. Is that normally a piece of equipment used at football practices?

my guess is its for the linemen. Offense to get a good punch off the line and shorten a d-linemen's neck, Defense for that first initial power move or slap

Kicking off some positional previews tonight:

NewsAdvance.com wrote:Liberty position breakdown: Wide receiver

Posted: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 8:14 pm
Chris Lang

We kick off the position preview portion of the Liberty training camp blog with a look at the Flames’ wide receivers. No position group is a bigger question mark heading into the 2013 season, which is a big reason why I already posted a story about the inexperienced group on the first day of training camp.

Click Here for Full Story

I think you're right that the pressure is on Pratt this year. if DK is even half as good as his older brother, he could be a real stud in future years.

BJWilliams wrote:I think you're right...

whew. LANG will sleep well tonight thanks to that affirmation.

Lang putting in some good work... Hope you know we all appreciate the job you do and the fact that you come here to participate in conversation too!