Aug. 22, 2011
Preseason Camp Blog | 
‘Let’s go Bowling’
Nashville – The Commodores returned to the John Rich Practice Facility Monday, putting in a two-hour workout that focused on individual instruction, goal-line and red-zone efficiency, and the two-minute drill.
The offense produced several scores in the segments devoted to work inside the defense’s 20-yard line. Quarterbacks Larry Smith and Jordan Rodgers both threw multiple touchdowns during the periods.
The defense stiffened in a late two-minute drill session, with redshirt freshman end Kyle Woestmann contributing a quarterback sack and senior safety Sean Richardson posting an acrobatic interception.
Orientation Keeps Several Freshmen Away from Practice
Franklin was missing nearly half of the team’s first-year players who were busy participating in orientation activities with other Vanderbilt freshmen students.
Individual Highlights
– Smith and Rodgers connected with tight end Brandon Barden and wide receiver Udom Umoh while Rodgers found wide receivers Jordan Matthews and John Cole on corner routes in the corner of the end zone.
– Matthews went high in traffic to haul in another deep pass from Smith in 7-on-7 passing drills.
– Redshirt freshman receiver Chris Boyd also had two impressive catches during 7-on-7 work.
Young Linebackers Continue to Compete
The competition for competing for a starting job continues to push three young outside linebackers who have all enjoyed strong preseason performances.
The three – sophomore Chase Garnham, and juniors Tristan Strong and Archibald Barnes – have shown as much improvement as any Commodores since Franklin’s arrival on campus.
Barnes made one of the top individual plays Monday by leaping high to deflect a pass that fell into the hands of another preseason standout, sophomore cornerback Andre Hal.
Kent Continues Consistent Punting Display
Junior Richard Kent continues to impress in his second full year as the Commodores’ punter. Kent boomed several deep punts with excellent hang time on Monday, and has shown similar consistency through preseason drills.