In the middle of their busiest, and last, week of spring ball, the Leathernecks held workout number 13 under clear skies and 70-degree temperatures Wednesday afternoon. It was a stark contrast to the first two days of the week, including Monday when the team was forced inside.

Energy levels ran high throughout the practice, which was ended 40 minutes earlier than most practices this spring. Head coach Don Patterson rearranged the day's itinerary to start with the two-minute drill, followed by the individual period, then blitz pickup and the team period. After kickoff coverage, during which Patrick Stoudamire returned a kick for a touchdown, the squad held its 7-on-7 period and ended with the punt/field goal units.

"We wanted to throw a little bit of variety at them today," Patterson said. "It's good to keep them fresh and mix things up once in a while. I think it helped with the enthusiasm I saw today. Most every player got better today and that ties directly into their attitude. Their job is to come out here and focus on nothing but football for the entire time and I have been very proud of their effort."

The final practice before Saturday's spring game will take place Friday afternoon. Workout number 14 Friday was originally intended to be the third helmets-only session of the spring, but Monday's indoor workout turned Friday's practice into a full-padded session.

The annual Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Game begins at 1:05 p.m. Saturday on Hanson Field.

Spotlight: Tight Ends

Spring Football Central | Photo Album

A pair of seasoned tight ends return in senior Matt Warner and junior Drew Helt. The two letterwinners split starting duties a year ago and could do so again this fall.

"Drew has a slight edge on Matt when it comes to run blocking, but Matt has a slight edge in the receiving game," said Patterson. "Both have tremendous big-play potential. It's a great weapon to have two very capable and interchangeable tight ends."

Warner, who ends the spring in the number one position on the two-deep, started five times last season. He averaged 30.4 yards per reception (9 rec., 274 yards, 2 TD) to record the highest average by a tight end in school history. One-third of his nine receptions went for 40 yards or more.

Helt, a two-year letterwinner, is listed as the returning starter at tight end, having earned the starting nod six times last year. One of his two catches as a sophomore went for a touchdown, and he was used as a key blocker in the nation's sixth-best rushing offense.

The pair of veterans has been joined this spring by redshirt-freshman Tyler Carey and newcomer Steve Adams. Adams, a junior, joined the squad midway through the spring and will serve as the team's long-snapper.

SPRING TWO-DEEP:

Pos.	No.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown (Last School)	Exp.	GP-GS
TE	8	Matt Warner	6-4	240	Sr.	Sherrard, Ill. (Sherrard)	3L	33-14
	49	Drew Helt	6-4	240	Jr.	Fort Madison, Iowa (Fort Madison)	2L	21-8
	11	Tyler Carey	6-2	230	R-Fr.	Portland, Ore. (Westview)	RS	0-0
	17	Steve Adams	6-2	220	Jr.	Downers Grove, Ill. (Carthage College)	TR	0-0