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Commodores “Knock The Rust Off” Thursday In First Full-Pad Session of Spring Practice Thursday 2/26/2004
Commodores “Knock The Rust Off” Thursday In First Full-Pad Session of Spring Practice Thursday Day 3 of Spring Practice – A solid hit by rising junior defensive end Jovan Haye signaled that Vanderbilt’s Spring Practice was truly underway during the team’s first day in full pads. In an 11-on-11 scrimmage that closed the two-hour, 30-minute practice, Haye, junior linebacker Moses Osemwegie and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Ray Brown provided the top highights for a defensive unit handicapped by Head Coach Bobby Johnson’s no-tackle practice rule. Johnson’s initial impressions of the session were positive as he left the John Rich Practice Facility. “For the first day in full pads, it looked pretty good. At the very least, our guys got a chance to knock some of the rust off. We’ll know more about watching the film,” Johnson said. “It was one of those no-tackle practices, so it’s not too fair to our defensive players. They are at a huge disadvantage in a practice like this.” The full-pad session Thursday was staged in damp, cold temperatures. It followed the team’s first two practices that focused on conditioning, team teaching and position instruction. The first half of the scrimmage was controlled by an effective offense guided by junior quarterback Jay Cutler, who completed his first four pases. Cutler connected with senior tailback Norval McKenzie out of the backfield and sophomore receiver Marlon White on two quick-out patterns to open the scrimmage, then watched junior receiver Erik Davis turn a short reception into a 30-yard gain by making a defender miss near the line of scrimmage. Sophomore quarterback Steven Bright also connected on his first two attempts. Senior linebacker Eric Byrum’s deflection of a Bright attempt helped spark the defense, who dominated the latter stages of the scrimmage. In quick order, Osemwegie, brown and senior defensive tackle Robert Dinwiddie stood up ballcarriers for no gain. The first two hours of practice included fundamental instruction, 7-on-7 drills, team pass periods, an emphasis on the running game, and special teams teaching. Upcoming Schedule |
