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Commodore Veterans Helping Newcomers Learn The System 8/10/2005 On Campus in Nashville, Tenn. — Commodore offensive coordinator Ted Cain discovered an extra coach in senior tight end Dustin Dunning during individual position drills Tuesday evening. With the Commodores focusing on team teaching and individual instruction in the two-hour, 30-minute session, Dunning provided tips and encouragement to freshmen tight end prospects Jake Bradford and Thomas Welch during a series of fundamental position drills. Around the Commodore camp, it’s commonplace to see veterans like Dunning step forward in a leadership role to assist newcomers. On the offensive line, center Trey Holloway and tackles Brian Stamper and Ryan King are frequently offering advice to the five freshmen signees new to the process. Among the receiving corps, two-year starter Erik Davis frequently offers encouragement to one of the five newcomers. At quarterback, senior Jay Cutler serves as a sounding board for freshman Mackenzi Adams. On defense, linebackers Moses Osemwegie and Kevin Joyce, lineman Herdley Harrison, cornerback Andrew Pace and safety Kelechi Ohanaja were among the veterans eager to help a newcomer. “Our guys who have been in the system several years are willing to help out. They know the importance to quickly learning how to do things the right way,” Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. “It helps in a number of ways, including speeding up the learning curve and building team chemistry.” Changing Positions Early indications from camp suggest a number of position changes put in place during spring drills could pay big dividends for the Commodores. Two defensive starters from a year ago, seniors Harrison and Pace, have continued to impress coaches at new positions during the initial preseason practices. Harrison, a two- year starter at strongside linebacker, looks like a probable starter at defensive end, while Pace, a former two-year starter at safety, has moved comfortably into a first-unit role at cornerback. The move of Harrison and Pace, along with the development of redshirt freshman Reshard Langford at safety, also gave Commodore coaches a chance to shift former safeties Marcus Buggs and Darnell Martemus to linebacker roles. Commodore fans attending Tuesday’s open session also noticed defensive line changes, with sophomore Lamar Divens working at tackle after playing end last year, and former linebacker Curtis Gatewood seeing action at defensive end. On offense, most of the attention has been directed toward junior Steven Bright, who moved from quarterback to fullback. Yet, the move of sophomore Cassen Jackson-Garrison to tailback could be just as significant. Jackson-Garrison and fellow sophomore Jeff Jennings are the main competitors for the starting tailback job. Upcoming Schedule The Commodores’ last public practice is planned Wednesday, starting at 6:15 p.m., at the John Rich Practice Complex. After another limited session Thursday, the Commodores will go in full pads on Friday, then begin two-a-day workouts on Saturday. Visiting Children’s Hospital Patients Up to 20 members of the squad are scheduled to visit with patients at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Wednesday afternoon, as part of camp orientation. Starting at 2:30 p.m., the players will autograph posters and other memorabilia as they meet the children. Dore Jam Offers Family Fun The team’s official Fan Day activity, Dore Jam IV, is scheduled Sunday afternoon at the Rich Complex. The free, two-hour activity will feature representatives of several other Commodore athletic programs besides the football squad. Activities include a variety of kids attractions, prize and poster giveaways, and autographs from your favorite Commodore players and coaches |
