TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Aug. 9) The Florida A&M football team went through recognition, conditioning, special teams and alignment drills today.  There was a special emphasis on special teams by the Rattlers.  Head coach Joe Taylor, long known for his detail on special teams, took the first segment of practice to prepare for competition, as the players worked out in t-shirts and shorts.

"We want to talk about special teams as the reason we won and not the reason we lost," Taylor told the team.  He said that special teams is one of the most exciting phases of football and often determines who wins or loses.

The Rattlers had a full roster in camp today.  They will continue tomorrow with the remainder of conditioning tests and an afternoon practice again.

The Rattlers open up the 2011 campaign against Ft. Valley State on Sept.3, at 6 p.m. in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

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