March 6, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about two hours in full pads Monday afternoon at Seibert Stadium.

The practice marked the beginning of the third week of spring practice for the Bulldogs. Head Coach Bill Gray says he has seen improvement in his players since the beginning of spring practice.

"I like the progress I am seeing," Gray said. "We have guys who are experienced in a lot of places, and we are moving forward in what we are doing with them because they have gone through the rough spots and they have experience. On the other hand, we have some young guys we are seeing for the first time in the spring and we are pleased with some of the things they are doing.

"We had some really good work during Saturday's scrimmage," Gray said. "We saw quality things on both sides of the ball. We are moving people around and we're doing some things that are really going to help us. We are limiting what we are doing on both sides of the ball, but we are getting better at what we are doing, and that is part of being a good football team."

Gray said he liked what he saw out of some specific players during Monday's workout.

"We have some individuals who are doing good things every time they come out here," Gray said. "B.T. Hartloge has really been impressive. We have huge shoes to fill at safety, but B.T. has really stood out this spring and he is making himself into quite a football player. Jay McCurty is another guy we know we will get an honest effort out of every day."

Samford will practice again on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both workouts scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The team is scheduled to hold its final scrimmage of the spring Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Seibert Stadium.