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Commodores In Full Pads Sunday 8/14/2004
Commodores In Full Pads Sunday On Campus in Nashville — The Commodores prepared for their first full-pad practice of the preseason on Sunday by conducting similar sessions Friday and Saturday that focused on fundamentals and team instruction. Head Coach Bobby Johnson said the squad would don full pads Sunday morning, then enjoy an afternoon of official photographs and greeting fans at the program’s Dore Jam III activity. The Fan Day event, scheduled from 4-6 p.m. at the John Rich Practice Facility, is free for all Commodore followers. Johnson was pleased with his Commodore following both Friday and Saturday practices, but was ready to see the Commodores move into full gear Sunday. “It’s tough for these guys when you’re not in full pads. It’s an in-between sort of thing for players. They want to hit, but at the same time, know they can’t,” Johnson said. “We’re looking forward to getting into pads. We’re going to let them go.” Absent With Good Excuses A pair of Commodore seniors, linebacker Eric Byrum and wide receiver Brandon Smith, were excused from practice Saturday. Byrum, a two-time All-SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology, missed the session to take an entrance examination for medical school. Smith was out-of-town attending a wedding. Changing Positions Two defensive linemen, freshman Jeremy Gales and sophomore J.P. Day, switched to the offensive side on Friday. Gales, from Spring Hill, Tenn., saw action at offensive tackle while Day, a sophomore walk-on from Indianapolis, participated at guard. Narrowing Dodging Charley Families of three Commodores – Brad Allen, Kevin Joyce and Brian Stamper – narrowly missed Hurricane Charley, which ravaged Florida Friday. Bill and Faith Allen, parents of freshman tight end Brad Allen, were among the luckiest Sunshine State residents. Initial projections had Charley making landfall just north of their hometown of Venice. Instead, the hurricane came ashore south of the city. The Allens, though battered by high winds and rain, avoided the worst of Charley. “I talked to them last night. Even though they were ready for it and had the house boarded up, they said everything was okay.” Allen said. As Charley came inland, it passed directly over the Orlando area where Joyce and Stamper reside packing 80-90 mph winds. Neither family suffered severe damage. Practice Update The Commodores are expected to start two-a-day practices on Monday, with sessions scheduled at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The team likely will practice twice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with single sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. The practices are closed to the general public. |
