Blazers Wrap Up First Week

Two-a-days begin Tuesday

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State closed out its first week of practice Monday as the Blazers held their final split squad practice of the 2009 preseason.

Monday's practices featured the fifth day of practices for the VSU squad, with four of those practices dates featuring split squad sessions.

"We were a little sluggish today, but that is kind of to be expected at this point in practice," said head coach David Dean after the day's morning practice. "This has been the hottest and toughest camp we have had in my three years as head coach and the guys are feeling that a little right now. However, these are the days when we find out who we can count on, who is going to tough it out and be there when we need them."

While the first five days have featured just one complete squad practice, Dean indicated that he has been impressed with the play of three groups thus far in the preseason.

"I think as a group our running backs and defensive line has looked very good," he added. "We are going to have a pretty decent pass rush this season if the guys continue to progress they way they have been thus far. I also have been very happy with the tremendous progress our linebacking corps has made. We have a young group there and they have really opened some eyes on the coaching staff in the first week."

With Valdosta State's first two-a-day practice scheduled for Tuesday, Dean also announced the addition of two new safeties to the team. Over the weekend, free safety Josh Wiley, who played for Louisville last season after beginning his career at Pearl River Community College, and strong safety Tay Ogletree, who began his career at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Hines Community College last season, joined the team over the weekend and are in their second day of practice with the squad.

"Two-a-days start tomorrow and that is when we start to put everything together," Dean concluded. "The whole team comes together and we will finally start our 11-on-11 drills. The upcoming days are when the game gets real and we start to see who can put all of the teaching into action. We start to learn who can make the reads and who can get the ball where it needs to be."

2009 Valdosta State Football Camp Schedule

Tuesday, August 11: 8:00-10:30 a.m.; 3:00-5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12: 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, August 13: 8:00-10:30 a.m.; 3:00-5:30 p.m.

Friday, August 14: 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Saturday, August 15: 8:00-10:30 a.m.; 2:15-4:45 p.m. (Scrimmage/Stadium)

Sunday, August 16: 5:15-7:45 p.m.

Monday, August 17: 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 18: 3:30-5:45 p.m.**

Saturday, August 22: 9:00-Noon (Meet the Blazers/Stadium)

*Split squad scrimmages. The majority of VSU's returning starters will practice in Group A.

**Regular season practice schedule commences

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