March 16, 2007
On Campus in Nashville – Rain doesn’t stop a football game, and rain doesn’t stop a Vanderbilt football practice.
Head Coach Bobby Johnson pushed the Commodores through its second spring practice Thursday, a session that featured heavy to moderate rainfall for virtually the entire two-hour, 30-minute affair.
Afterward, Johnson praised his squad, saying they moved forward by pushing through the increment conditions.
“There are times when weather affects a game, and you have to make the best of those conditions. Today was a perfect example,” Johnson said. “Our guys kept up their energy and intensity thorughout the practice. I thought the tempo was as good or better than our first day. We got some positives out of this one.”
A heavy downpour greeted the team as they went into their initial 15-minute warmup, continuing for most of the first hour.
The Commodores practiced in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets for the second time, and were expected to move into full gear Friday afternoon. The team also is expected to practice Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon before taking Monday off.
Besides the weather, the practice mirrored Vanderbilt’s first spring drill, with Johnson’s staff focusing on special teams, individual and team drills, and scheme expansion. The session concluded with a brief segment of non-contact, 11-on-11 work.
“We got some good things accomplished, put some things in, and have some tape to evaluate, but our guys are ready to get into full pads. That’s obvious to all of us,” the head coach said.
Commodore Pro Day Slated Friday Morning
Several graduates of the 2006 Vanderbilt squad will look to impress NFL scouts Friday at the Commodores’ annual Pro Day activities at the Rich Practice Facility.
Among the former Commodores expected to participated in the testing that includes speed, strength, agility and skills work are linebacker Kevin Joyce, defensive tackle Ray Brown, wide receiver Marlon White, defensive back Sean Dixon, offensive lineman Mac Pyle and linebacker/safety Funtaine Hunter.