Aug. 22, 2009
Get Flash to see this player. Click here to download it.
Season Tickets Start at Only $109
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Commodores’ top units faced off Saturday in Vanderbilt Stadium, but Coach Bobby Johnson backed the squad away from full contact drills for much of the 90-minute workout.
With several Commodores bothered by injury after two weeks of camp, Johnson spent most of the session in limited contact mode, putting the squad through a variety of down-and-distance situations and extensive work in various special teams.
The only full contact action came late in the practice, with the newest Commodores working against each other for several series.
Afterward, Johnson said the practice went as he expected, though there was less overall intensity without the presence of full contact.
“Anytime you tell them to go full speed but don’t tackle, it’s going to be slower than you’d like as a coach,” Johnson said. “That part was a little disappointing, but I kind of expected it. At the same time, I thought we got what we needed out of practice.”
Johnson said the Commodores would take Sunday off, and return to the John Rich Practice Facility on Monday to begin preparations for the season opener Sept. 5 against Western Carolina.
For much of the session, the Commodore defense aggressively attacked the offense, repeatedly getting to ball carriers for little or no yardage. As the “A” and “B” offense struggled to execute in the “thud” scrimmage, Johnson frequently urged the unit to push harder.
Among the highlights were:
– Interceptions by safety Ryan Hamilton and cornerback Casey Hayward;
– Several tough inside-the-tackle rushes by tailback Jermaine Doster;
– Brett Upson’s impressive combo of soaring punts and accurate field goals;
– Third-down tackles for loss by end Johnell Thomas, tackles Greg Billinger and Jabo Burrow, linebackers DeAndre Jones and Archibald Barnes, and defensive back Eric Samuels.
The staff held several players out of the drills, including WR John Cole, CB Jamie Graham, safety Joel Caldwell, CB Trey Wilson and WR Turner Wimberly. Two others, DE Steven Stone and safety Jay Fullam, are out for several weeks due to injury.