SAVANNAH, Ga.- The Savannah State football team concluded their first week of spring practice on Saturday.

The Tigers began the week in shorts and helmets but put on full pads on Friday and Saturday.

Head coach Robby Wells said the goal of spring drills is to concentrate on the fundamentals for next season. "Our goal is to get better fundamentally with the veterans and to get them comfortable with the offensive and defensive schemes."

Wells was also pleased with what he saw during the first week.

"It went very well. The guys moved around well and the coaches made sure we had organized practices. Hats off to our offensive staff for pulling together since we are a man short."

"So far we have gotten in four good practices and I look for four more next week," he added.

While it's still early, Wells had praise for his defensive linemen and quarterbacks. "The defensive line is doing a great job and my hat goes off to the quarterbacks. A. J. and Javares are two different types of quarterbacks so we are going to see what their strengths are and go from there."

With rising sophomore Kurvin Curry sidelined to concentrate on academics and would-be senior JaCorey Kilcrease deciding not to play anymore, A.J. DeFilippis and Javares Taylor are the only two signal callers in spring camp.

Wells states that the absence of Curry does not really effect the offense. "Anytime you have a key player out then it's going to cause you to do different things but at the same time it will give others a chance to get more reps in practice. "

With former offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Alan Hall leaving to take a job at Winston-Salem State, Wells has been working with the SSU quarterbacks. "I will work with them (quarterbacks) through the spring. I will evaluate the situation after spring drills to see if I will continue working with them or if I need to hire somebody to do it," said Wells.

When asked about the offensive coordinator position, Wells said "my philosophy is to look within the staff first."