April 16, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football team practiced for about 90 minutes at the Doc Martin Practice Complex Wednesday in helmets, jerseys and shorts.

Special teams was a point of emphasis as Coach Brad Lambert worked closely with the punt return and kickoff return teams on getting into position to block for the returner.

"The last half of spring we've worked a lot on kickoff, kickoff return, punt block, field goal and field goal block," Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe said. "Today was a good day to polish. Sam (Swank) got to kick more than normal. We got some good work done special teams-wise."

The search for a long snapper is "moving along," according to Grobe. Quarterback Ryan McManus and defensive tackle Ted Randolph have gotten a majority share of the snaps in punt situations this spring.

"We've got guys with the potential, but potential means you haven't done it yet," Grobe said. "We've got two problems. First of all, we've got to find the guy who we really think is the best. Secondly, we won't know who that is until we go to Baylor and have him snap in a game. It's a little bit easier doing it in practice than doing it in live fire."

A six on seven passing scrimmage was held for the last third of practice with the receivers and secondary engaging in some entertaining competition. Quarterback Riley Skinner hit receiver Chip Brinkman for a long gain down the left sideline. Receiver Chris Langley stretched-out for an impressive one-handed catch. Cornerback Kerry Major was extremely active and broke-up several pass plays in the session.

"Kerry is better. Last year when he was on that island playing corner and he was out there by himself, I felt he was a little tentative," Grobe said. "That's all behind him right now. He's had a really, really good spring. We've got a lot of really talented guys back there in the secondary, some older guys that have been around for a while and know what to do and some young guys that don't always know what to do, but they've got talent."

Grobe has been impressed by the receiving corps as well.

"I like the competitiveness right now between our receivers and our secondary," Grobe said. "We've got some guys in the receiving corps that can go up and take it away from you. It's fun to watch those guys compete right now."

Demon Deacon fans and the general public will have an opportunity to see the Deacs compete this Saturday when Wake Forest will hold its final scrimmage of the spring season.

Saturday's scrimmage is set for 1 p.m. at the Doc Martin Football Practice Complex on the Wake Forest campus.