BOCA RATON, Fla. –Florida Atlantic University spent Thursday’s practice on the Tom Oxley Practice Fields, the program’s inaugural fields and where the team called home from 2000-2020. The location adjustment seemed as easy for the squad as embracing a new standard or competition for playing time.
QUOTABLE
Associate Head Coach / Run Game Coordinator Ed Warinner
On practice thus far and having a familiar and experienced group
“We have had five practices. I really like the progress we are making. I like the direction we are headed. We have veteran guys up front. We have experience. We have leadership. We are just trying to learn the new offensive system that Coach [Charlie] Frye has. With that being said, these two guys [Federico Maranges and Chaz Neal] are two of our veteran senior leaders. They are really good football players and are kind of anchors of the O line…I love the room. I love the talent we have and the experience. As we learn this offense, I see us doing a lot of good things. I’m excited about where we could be, come September 1.”
You have guys who have played a bunch of games. How much does it help in terms of recognizing fronts and making calls and just being able to communicate to each other?
“We are familiar with our terminology. We may have new play names, but within those play names, how we get them executed, they understand the language that we use up front. They understand what it means, what we are looking for in terms of what I think we should be doing. Most plays are in every offense, they just have different names. Really the learning is the new names. We don’t have many new plays. I don’t think we have run a play yet that we didn’t run in the past. For these guys it is just recalling that, recalling the techniques and learning the new verbiage.”
Redshirt Junior C Federico Maranges
What did you learn from multi-year starter Nick Weber?
“Whenever Nick was here, we always competed for the center spot either way. We both learned equally what we were supposed to do, so that if anything would have happened to him or as we say ‘if his shoelace breaks’ and I have to go in, you don’t see a drop in the O-line. Coach [Ed] Warner builds a really good foundation for us to learn. Hopefully, with Nick Weber gone, I can fill that spot and be better, so that I can lead the offensive line to better rushing and passing yards than last year.”
R-Senior Offensive Tackle Chaz Neal
Does the offensive line room look at it like it all starts with you, up front? That if you are doing your jobs to the best of your abilities, that you will be a good offensive team.”
“We look at it just like that. Lean on us. If you lean on us, we are going to get the job done. We bring energy to the offense. We bring energy to the team. You have to go through us. We do the hard work so that everyone else can look good. Therefore, just lean on us, we got you.”
SPRING GAME
The “Spring Game” is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at 12 p.m.
THE 2023 SCHEDULE
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Note: Broadcast outlets and kick-off times will be announced later this spring. All games can be heard on Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida.
TICKETS
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