Notes from Camp Husky

This was an early (8 a.m.) practice, especially for us sports writers. It was also an open practice. I would estimate 50 people were there. Among them, the fathers of Jimmy Bennett and Michael Box, who figured heavily in the world of UConn considering the suspension of Cody Endres. There was also a scout from the Philadelphia Eagles. NFL scouts are nothing new at college camps.

Big east officials have been with the team the past two days, part of program instituted last season. This gives the team an understanding of rules -- new and old -- and the refs a chance to get some work in before the first week of the season. The crew on hand was the same that worked the UConn-Notre Dame game last season.

Here's a rundown:

8:20 team stretching

8:31 QBs working on their drills. Leon Kinnard, who has worked in multiple positions, is a QB today.

8:36 LBs working on run defense

8:38 Offensive Coordinator Joe Moorhead oversees QBs, who are working on drop steps
and side-to-side shuffles before making a throw.

8:40 WRs run routes with staff presenting obstacles and serving as defenders with use of pads.

8:46 Oklahoma drill. This time its WRs vs. CBs. Joshua Alexander blew up Dwyane Difton, who was warned "you're going to get hurt" using the form he did.
8:57 QBs working with WRs

9:08 WRs vs. CBs. Mike Lang, who moved from WR to S, made a strong play when he came from behind the receiver and deflected the pass. Later on, Michael Smith hauls in a spectacular pass from I don't know with an equally impressive over-the-shoulder grab down the left sideline.

The non-football highlight came when a local "news" reporter from Fox decided that camp should stop so Randy Edsall can answer questions about the suspensions of Endres and o-lineman Erik Kuraczea. He said he didn't read SID Mike Enright's three-sentence release, which ended with the mention of no further comment. The reporter insisted he be shown respect because he's a "news reporter" and asked repeatedly if Enright "saw his report." The joy here is the guy left before Edsall would speak. So if you get a hostile twist on UConn from Fox today, you know why.

The best part was his cameraman wore a Boston College hat. Can anyone say Renee Gork?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/renee-gork-fired-florida-_n_684332.html

Add to it that there were fans in the area, and this was not a cool move, Mr. Fox "news reporter".

9:20 11-on-11

9:40 7-on-7

9:48 D-Line vs. O-Line

9:59 11-on-11 and the offense starts at its 1-yard line. Dwayne Difton made a nifty catch on a 40-plus-yard pass. Ted Jennings, now a second-string defensive end, busted through the line for a monster pass deflection. Think Dikembe Mutombo.