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Commodores Stressing Fundamentals 3/20/2006
Football Practices 4-5: Commodores Stressing Fundamentals John Rich Practice Facility on campus — Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson brought the first week of Spring Practice to an end Sunday with a lengthy, quick-tempo session that continued the Commodore coaches’ push for proper fundamental technique and efficiency on both sides of the line of scrimmage. In similar sessions Saturday and Sunday, the Commodores sandwiched an hour on individual instruction and position technique around full contact one-on-one drills, then moved on to 45 minutes of team teaching and passing drills before closing with a half hour of 11-on-11 drills. Johnson praised his Commodores after the Sunday session. “We got a lot more active today, no question about it,” Johnson said. “I was pleased with the overall tempo today. I were practicing faster, with more purpose and energy. We made some progress on the practice field today.” In the 11-on-11 drills Sunday, Johnson put the Commodore offense in numerous first-and-10 situations, with redshirt sophomore Chris Nickson and redshirt freshman Mackenzi Adams alternating at quarterback. Nickson hits sophomore Earl Bennett and redshirt freshman Alex Washington on first-down conversion completions, while Adams connected with sophomore receiver Bryant Anderson and redshirt freshman tight end Thomas Welch. Several defenders sparkled in the drill. Defensive tackle Gabe Hall and a trio of veteran linebackers – Jonathan Goff, Kevin Joyce and Marcus Buggs – contributed tackles for loss while safeties Ryan Hamilton and Reshard Langford put jarring hits on separate receivers. Another safety, Funtaine Hunter, provided the lone defensed pass. Martemus to the Offensive Backfield The team’s lack of depth this spring at tailback was evident Saturday and Sunday as redshirt freshman Jared Hawkins rested a mild leg strain. With junior Cassen Jackson-Garrison practicing but seeing limited contact, linebacker Darnell Martemus stepped in to fulfill most of the tailback duties in both sessions. Before moving to the offensive backfield, Martemus, an athletic redshirt junior, was competing for a probable reserve role at outside linebacker. Johnson Brings Back the Gold Jerseys At the start of practice Sunday, Johnson presented gold jerseys to Buggs, a redshirt junior from Madison, Tenn., and redshirt junior offensive lineman Elliot Hood of Indianapolis, Ind., for their outstanding effort at practice Saturday. It marked the first time this spring that Johnson presented the gold jerseys. The head coach started the tradition several years ago to recognize excellent performances by one offensive and defensive player each session. Buggs, contending for the starting strongside linebacker position, has been superb throughout the first week of Spring Practice. Hood has earned praise from offensive coaches while working at guard and tackle, and appears ready to contend for a serious playing role next season. Upcoming Schedule After getting in five sessions the first week of Spring Practice, the Commodores will take Monday off, then likely return to the Rich Practice Facility Tuesday. The top attraction for Commodore fans this spring, the Black & Gold Scrimmage, is scheduled Saturday, April 1, starting at 10:00 a.m., in Vanderbilt Stadium. The scrimmage is free of charge. |
