Football Opens Spring Drills

Football Opens Spring Drills

3/14/2006

Vanderbilt Opens Spring Drills Searching for Next Quarterback

On campus at the John Rich Practice Facility – Even before Head Coach Bobby Johnson started Vanderbilt’s first Spring Practice session Tuesday afternoon, Commodore quarterbacks Chris Nickson and Mackenzi Adams knew it was going to be much different session from previous editions.

Before either Nickson, a redshirt sophomore from Brundidge, Ala., or Adams, a redshirt freshman from Tulsa, Okla., made their way to the practice field, each conducted interviews with television sports crews from the Nashville market. The reporters wanted to learn more about the two young men competing to become Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback.

For the first time since his initial Vanderbilt Spring Practice five years ago, Coach Johnson is searching for a signal caller to lead the Commodores. That search promises to be one of the top storylines of spring drills, which are expected to continue through early April.

“Of course, we have to replace a great quarterback in Jay (Cutler), but I think we have two quality guys in Chris and Mackenzi competing to win that job,” Johnson said. “We also have to find replacements for several other outstanding players no longer with us, such as Moses (Osemwegie) at linebacker. That’s just part of your job as a college coach. At the same time, we have a lot of talented young kids that want to show what they can do and are excited about helping this football team. That’s what is fun about this time of year.”

Johnson left the practice facility with a favorable impression after putting his squad through a 2-hour, 30-minute practice that concentrated on individual instruction, playbook development, team drills and conditioning. The Commodores wore shorts, cleats and minimal pads, and are not expected to move into full pads until Thursday.

“I liked what I saw from the guys. It’s the first practice and you expect them to be fresh and have plenty of energy, but we have a lot of guys who were going hard. I thought the competitive spirit of the guys was very good,” Johnson said.

Cutler, Other Former Players Watch Practice
Cutler, the Commodores’ all-time leading passer and reigning Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, watched most of the practice from the sidelines. Afterward, he joined several teammates in a workout aimed at Vanderbilt’s annual Pro Day, scheduled this Friday on campus. Others joining Cutler were wide receiver Erik Davis, tight end Dustin Dunning and cornerback Andrew Pace.

Five Commodores Expected to See Light Duty This Spring
Five Commodores, including three starters from a year ago, are expected to miss spring drills recuperating from an array of injuries. The three starters — senior guard Mac Pyle, junior tailback Jeff Jennings and sophomore kicker Bryant Hahnfeldt — are rehabilitating from late-season knee injuries. Junior defensive end Curtis Gatewood and senior cornerback Sean Dixon are out with lower leg injuries. All will likely return when the team opens preseason camp in August.

Commodore News from the NFL
Corey Chavous, an All-SEC cornerback in 1997 and one of the top defensive backs in Commodore history, signed a multi-year deal with the St. Louis Rams last weekend. Chavous, who was recently recognized at the Vanderbilt-Tennessee men’s basketball game, is an eight-year NFL veteran, having spent the last four seasons with Minnesota. Prior to playing in Minnesota, Chavous was a four-year starter for the Arizona Cardinals. He is also expected to return next month as an analyst for ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage.