March 14, 2007
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| Photo by Stan Jones |
On Campus in Nashville – As Commodore players were making their way to the team’s first Spring Practice Tuesday, Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson was eager to have his team back on the field. By the conclusion of practice, Johnson thought the players’ enthusiasm might have topped his own anticipation.
Opening with 15 minutes of emphasis on special teams, Johnson put the Commodores through a two-hour, 30-minute session. Most of the practice was spent on conditioning, individual position instruction, 7-on-7 drills, and expanding the Commodores’ offensive and defensive playbooks. Johnson left the field afterward appreciating virtually everything he had witnessed.
“I really thought our guys were energized and enthusiastic,” Johnson said. “You expect to have their attention the first day, but the guys were clearly there to work, learn, and get better. It’s exactly the attitude I was looking for.
“Our team needs to build on what we accomplished today at the next practice. We need to keep that momentum going from one practice to the next, throughout the spring. That’s how we’re going to became a better football team.”
Johnson greeted 85 players, including more than 50 letterwinners from a year ago, at the first practice. The squad completed the practice wearing shorts, shells and helmets, and will not move into full pads before this Friday.
A year ago, Johnson’s staff was trying to identify replacements for multiple graduated starters, including quarterback Jay Cutler at quarterback and linebacker Moses Osemwegie. This spring, with 17 position starters back, the focus is different.
“We have a lot of guys back that have played and played well. We need all of them to improve, and we need more guys to step up this spring and show why they should be on the field,” Johnson said. “Today, I saw a lot of guys can have the ability to do that.”
No Commodores Out with Injury After Spring Practice Begins
In stark contrast to a year ago, every Commodore in uniform Tuesday participated fully in the non-contact practice, including offensive tackle Brian Stamper and tailback Jeff Jennings. Stamper was a 2006 co-captain who missed most of the season due to a back injury that required surgery. Jennings, a starter in 2005, did not play a snap for the Commodores last year recuperating from a knee injury.
When the Commodores opened Spring Practice a year ago, Jennings and four other returnees – guard Mac Pyle, kicking specialist Bryant Hahnfeldt, defensive end Curtis Gatewood and cornerback Sean Dixon – were out recovering from leg injuries.
Bennett Honored Monday by Nashville Sports Organization
Record-breaking junior receiver Earl Bennett was on hand Monday at the Nashville Sports Council’s Ninth Annual O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions to accept a special award.
Bennett, from Birmingham, Ala., was named Middle Tennessee’s Amateur Athlete of the Year. As a sophomore in 2006, Bennett caught 82 passes for 1,146 yards, earning first team All-SEC honors. He led the Southeastern Conference in catches and became the first player in league history to catch more than 75 passes in two different seasons.
Titans’ Geisinger Watches Offensive Line Progress
One-time Commodore All-SEC offensive lineman Justin Geisinger stayed for most of the session, watching former mentor Robbie Caldwell work with current offensive linemen. A two-year NFL veteran, Geisinger recently signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans. Geisinger also spent the 2006-07 season with the Titans.
Other former players making an appearance were 2006 starters Marlon White and Kevin Joyce, and Matt Clay, a 2005 starter who currently coaches in the Nashville City Schools system.