Black helmets "juice" U of L football practice

Louisville practiced with a pep in its step on Wednesday, junior cornerback Charles Gaines said.

The work they need to do this week after Saturday's scrimmage wasn't the reason, nor was the fast-approaching season opener against Miami on Sept. 1.

It was the shiny, new black helmets that the players will wear for the "Black Out" in that opener.

"They gave us a little juice for practice," Gaines said. "We came out with a lot of energy. It was a nice feeling just to have the helmets on our head and go out there with our teammates and see the glitter and glamorous things on their helmets."

Gaines said the not-so-glamorous things are the main focus this week as Louisville transitions from preseason training camp to Miami prep.

U of L coach Bobby Petrino was pleased with his defense's performance in the scrimmage on Saturday, but there were still areas for improvement, as any coach says during preseason practices. Gaines agreed.

"We're coming along," Gaines said. "Our D-line's doing an awesome job getting to the quarterback. Our linebackers are making awesome dropbacks and the right blitzes. The DBs, we just let them do the little things and we run about our little jobs."

The challenge, though, has been in scouting, Gaines explained. The defense is catching up on its own playbook, while trying to learn the Louisville offense's plays, all while coaches implement Miami scouting information into the team's daily workouts.

"We're still trying to learn Coach Petrino's offense," Gaines said. "It's hard sometimes to worry about what Coach Petrino's doing and then trying to worry about what UM is doing. Sometimes we get frustrated as DBs, and safeties talk to each other in a rough way, but it's all nothing but fun and love."

DAY 15 STANDOUTS

We didn't get any player mentions after Wednesday's practice, though Gaines talked at length about how impressed he's been with the freshmen cornerbacks on the team.

NOTABLE

Offensive lineman Joe Manley and linebacker Lyn Clark have both left the program and found new college homes. Clark, a 6-2, 244-pound redshirt freshman is headed to Northwestern State, an FCS program in Louisiana. Manley's a 6-6, 333-pound redshirt sophomore who transferred to Western Kentucky.

Gaines said he's working more and more with the younger cornerbacks on the team, part of how he envisions his role as a newly minted team captain. Freshmen Trumaine Washington, De'Eric Culver and Zykiesis Cannon have all had sharp August camps.

"The little things are what count," he said. "Just work on the little things like technique, hand movements. They're coming along great. They get awesome time in the meeting room. They have a chance to go up to the board and draw up the defense and what they need to work on. While we're watching film, our young guys are up there teaching us things."

QUOTABLE

"I didn't get another steak. I was just trying to waste a little time while I was on stage. I was a little shy but, as the time went on, I got used to the fans." -- Gaines on whether or not he got a second steak after jokingly asking for one at the U of L football kickoff luncheon last week.

INJURY UPDATE

As per team policy this season, injury updates only come from Petrino, who spoke to the media yesterday. It's safe to assume running back Michael Dyer didn't practice on Wednesday as he waits for the swelling to reduce from the thigh contusion he suffered in Saturday's scrimmage.