FAU tight end Nexon Dorvilus said after Monday's team meeting called by players the Owls 'have some heart' and will 'keep fighting.' (Photo Courtesy of Owl Pix)
Meeting pays off
FAU players hold meeting Monday resulting in one of best practices of season. Now they hope it could turn their season around.
Originally published on
10/16/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – The vibe was different during Florida Atlantic's practice on Tuesday.
Even after five consecutive losses, the Owls had one of their most energetic and productive workouts since the season began.
The reason?
Not only did FAU coach Carl Pelini tell his team it needs to have more fun on the field, but the players held a meeting Monday to talk about what they need to do to turn this season around.
“It’s as good a day as we’ve had in a month,” Pelini said.
The players seemed to enjoy the session as well.
“It was a great practice,” said tight end Nexon Dorvilus. “A lot of intensity, guys flying out there, executing. It was a real good practice. ...If we keep having practices like we had today we’ll definitely turn it around. “
Senior linebacker David Hinds was among the players that called the meeting after the Owls lost to ULM 35-14 on Saturday.
“I just wanted all the guys to think about it, we had a lot of things to talk about after the game,” Hinds said. “I just told them there is a place and time to talk about it and let's talk about it when we get back home when we have fresh minds and we aren't angry. Then we can focus and talk about what we have to change to get right to be better football players.”
Players believe the meeting can pay immediate dividends.
“It’s always good to get together with your brothers just like when there’s problems inside a family, the family has to come together and solve it,” Dorvilus said. “It can’t be the coaches trying to get us together, it has to be from within. I feel like it resonates more if it’s a player talking to another player. We go though the struggles together, all the trial and tribulations.”
The tone was that this season, which is at the half-way point, is far from over.
“It was to keep fighting,” Dorvilus said. “Going 1-6 is a lot worse than 2-5. Don’t let the past failures snowball, stick together, be strong, have some heart and keep fighting.”
In addition to the meeting, Pelini took notice that South Alabama coach Joey Jones has made it known he wants the Jaguars, who, like the Owls, are 1-5 this season, to enjoy themselves as they work and try to improve.
He'd like to see his team do the same.
“I think they’re working hard,” Pelini said. “I think they’re getting better for the most part. I question sometimes whether they’re having fun, whether they’re loving the game like they should. Being at a point like we are in the season that’s so important, its important on any team, undefeated, no wins it doesn’t really matter. If you’re not enjoying it every day. That should be recess time. It's work time and it’s all that. That’s why they’re here - that time spent on the practice field.”