Eagles work on specifics

Faulkner head football coach Jim Nichols used Thursday's practice to prepare his Eagles for next weekend's meeting with NCAA D-I Samford University.
"We have to fine-tune our special teams to get ready for Samford," Nichols said. "You can win games with special teams because of momentum and change of possession. Against Samofrd, we really don't want to mess it up on special teams."
Nichols also wants to make improvements over last year's performance on first down. "We have got to do better on first down this year over last year. We have to find a way to keep our offense on the field longer."
Nichols also noted that he was pleased with Thursday's performance by defensive tackle Ivan Freeman of Dothan, and defensive back Anthony Haywood of Montgomery.
The Eagles begin the season at Samford in Birmingham at 6 p.m. Sept. 6.

-Montgomery Advertiser

Game week!

Well folks, here we go! After a good break from hurricane Faye the program is ready to roll into game week. Where has the summer gone? This time next week will be rolling into Birmingham, Alabama to prepare for our first showdown with Samford. Things are starting to click at practice and confidence is high. Coach Nichols has been pleased with the tempo of practice. I have to say, that our guys are in a lot better shape then we were at this time last year. This should translate into a very competitive team.

Now everyone shifts gears. Coaches, players, and even the fans. The coaching staff and players go into a new schedule mode. Lots of film, meetings, and practice. While the fans start planning for the trip to all of our games. Let me just say, that last years fan support was the best. We are depending on that to increase this season.

Now, my plan is to update the blog while on the road for the games. I'm going try to include pictures of our game preparation at the hotel. So, keep checking in with me.

Last Saturday's scrimmage.

Last Saturday we took our show on the road and had a scrimmage at Jefferson Davis High School. We got about 90 plays in before darkness shut us down. We saw a lot of great things and we saw some more things we need to work



Coach Nichols was pleased with what he saw. Right now we have about 98% of our offense installed and now it's all about repetition. We had about 120 folks come out to watch and they were please with what they saw as well. I can't tell you how much further ahead we are compared to last year at this time.

Frank Padulla had a big day with several diving grabs and a touchdown. We are expecting big things from the Panama City native. The other receivers are having a great fall as well.

With this new offense, the ball is flying around the field like never before. However, we find ourselves in a "catch 22". Now that are running game is hitting on all cylinders, we are finding it hard to pick plays. Don't get me wrong, that's a great a problem to have. Not to mention we never had that problem last season.

Ryan Williams continues to impress the coaches as well as frustrate the defense with his slash and cut running style. He is a man of few words but his running says it all. Don't get me wrong on my blog, I talk a lot of offense, simply because I coach running backs. But our defense is looking strong once again.

We have another scrimmage this Saturday at the Cramton Bowl. Stay tuned for more.

GO EAGLES!

Fall camp coming to a close.

Fall camp is almost over and the school year is about to start. All this means is a change of pace. During fall camp our schedules went something like this:


Treatment: 7am
Breakfast: 8am
Position meetings: 9:30am-11am
Coaches meetings: 11am-12:30pm
Lunch: 12:30pm
Practice: 3:15pm-5pm
Dinner: 5:30pm-
Weights: 7pm-10pm
Bed check/lights out: 11pm


As you can tell, we are go go go all day. With the academic year beginning, we look at changing gears and focusing on the entire student athlete. Bottom line is this, these guys are students first, athletes second. The intensity does not waiver during this time, but we begin to really focus on our first game on Sep. 6th against Samford.

So, get ready folks, the clock is running and we are closer to the first game of the 2008 season. Get your tickets today.

GO EAGLES!

week 1 down!

The first week of fall camp ended with EXTREME optimism. The players are quickly coming together to form a great team. When you have a strong spring like we had, you hope that everyone comes back and picks up where you left off...and man did we ever. The new guys have stepped in and have started to make names for themselves.

I think I've been more impressed with the older guys showing the new guys the ropes. Last season everyone came in at the same time, so nobody stood out to take on a leadership role. This year is not that way at all. Returning receivers are teaching younger guys routes, returning linebackers are helping the up and comers, and the returning offensive linemen are showing the new guys all the best places to eat in town.


If there is one thing that has not changed in the Faulkner Football program, it's the hitting. Not only did we recruit great character athletes, we recruited some GREAT BALL PLAYERS!

Look for another season of smash mouth Faulkner football. Last season, it was the defense that could deliver the big hits, but this year offense has some guys that can deliver a "knock out" blow.

Despite the 130 degree field temperature, President Billy Hillyer came out to wish us well and welcome the new guys to the Faulkner Family.

We ended the week with an 70 play scrimmage to take a look at what we have installed during the week. For the second day in full pads, we saw a lot of great things. Not to mention more then 100 people came out to just watch practice.

All I can say is, get ready folks, this is going to be a great season. I highly suggest that you buy your season tickets now, and register for the Royal Club while there is still time. This is going to be a great year. 4 weeks from Samford and things are looking great. Check back soon.

GO EAGLES!

Off and Running!

The Faulkner Eagle 2008 season is officially underway. The team met for the first time this year on Sunday night and Monday afternoon the Eagles went to work. The temperatures are hot, but the enthusiasm is even hotter.

Camp opened with a greater number then expected for the second year in a row. Coach Nichols was excited about the caliber of athlete that came in this year. "It looks like all of our work in recruiting has paid off" Nichols stated. I, for one, can tell you that hours upon hours went into recruiting athletes that are great on and off the field this year. Nichols plan was by year three, we would have the team that Faulkner University expects and I believe we are ahead of schedule on that plan.

The first two weeks are focusing on evaluating talent and installing both the offense and the defense. The players schedules are jammed pack from sun up to sun down for the first two weeks. Lots of conditioning and learning going on right now. The players are getting along great and the action should heat up with the addition of full pads on Friday.

Summer camp is packed full of stuff, so I'll try to update all of you as often as I can. Please go by our Faulkner University athletics website and buy your season tickets today. Also, look into joining the Royal Club. Talk to you all soon.

GO EAGLES!