Date: 8/12
Time: 7:15-9:30 a.m.
Place: James A. and Frances H. Yance Football Practice Facility
Practice attire: Shells (helmets and shoulder pads)

Offensive Players of the Day: offensive line
-Offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent on the offensive line: "They really responded, that's the best inside period we've had by far all of fall camp.  They brought a lot of energy, a lot of toughness and a lot of leadership, and that's important."

Defensive Player of the Day: Jalen Thompson, Fr., CB, Mobile, Ala.
-Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson on Thompson: "It takes quite a bit to make me say 'Wow!' — especially from a freshman — but this is two consecutive days that this kid has made 'Wow!' come out of my mouth.  Jalen has a long way to go, there's no bones about that, but to watch him come in every day and get better, and to see his skill set and football IQ, it's very impressive.  I'm anxious to see where he is going to be in two weeks; if he can continue to do what he is doing, he is going to be special."

Play of the Day: Blake Dees broke through the offensive line and was able to record a sack of Cody Clements early during the final team period of the morning.

Team period highlights: The offense worked against the defense in the red zone for just over 10 minutes midway through practice, with the two units matching up to compete in a 10-minute blitz period as the session wound down.

Miscellaneous Notes
-Pearson also recognized Margo Reed following practice, saying "he is an undersized cornerback, but is playing against one of the best receivers in the league in Marvin Shinn and is battling him every day.  He's making plays and helping teammates, he has been a pleasant surprise."
-In addition to working on both punt returns and kickoff coverage during special teams periods, Jaguar placekickers attempted numerous field goals from varying distances for the second time this week following the conclusion of practice.
-There was no 7-on-7 passing period for the first time during preseason camp.
-It also marked the first occasion since Saturday — the Jags' initial day in full pads — that USA worked in shells.
-Thursday's docket for the program includes the second, and final, two-a-day practice schedule as well as the team's annual media day function.

Head coach Joey Jones
-On practice Wednesday morning: "We covered some good situations.  We had a blitz period during which the defense got after the offense, and we had some red zone and fundamental time as well.  We worked on kickoffs and punt returns too, so we covered a lot of situations today.  That's what we want to do this week, introduce them to situations so they can handle them in ball games."
-On this year's team speed: "We're faster overall for sure.  But I've seen a lot of guys — especially on defense — get better; just because you're fast doesn't make you a good football player, you also need to play with great technique.  The young guys are learning how to place their hands on people, where their gap is and what their responsibility is in coverage.  All those things matter, we need to understand that in order to win.  But we are running around a little faster out there, I am pleased with our athleticism."
-On how the team is progressing during camp: "There better be a lot of progress.  With the schedule we play, and who we play early, we need to be ready to go.  We're replacing a lot of people from last year's team so we have some inexperience out there, we are placing them in game situations as much as we can in practice.  We know that is never going to match the game, but we have to get them in their roles as fast as we can."

Up next: The Jags will practice twice on Thursday at the James A. and Frances H. Yance Football Practice Facility, with workouts beginning at 7:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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