Blacknbengal
Well-Known Member
Revised schedule puts Jaguars in pads twice today
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
[email protected]
Advocate sportswriter
The afternoon session Thursday was to be the Jaguars' first workout in full gear. Instead, Southern had a walkthrough in Seymour Gymnasium.
Southern will practice twice today, as scheduled, but may be in full gear for both workouts. Originally, the Jaguars were to be in shorts, shoulder pads and helmet in the afternoon.
"It depends on how hot it is," Southern coach Pete Richardson said. "We'll try to get our run game in the morning in full pads."
Also, Southern may practice twice Saturday instead of taking the afternoon off after a morning scrimmage. And the Jaguars could also have a special-teams workout Sunday before Media/Picture Day that afternoon.
"I have to keep them fresh mentally," Richardson said. "Physically, they're starting to tire because of two-a-days."
m?MILLER'S TIME: While there are four newcomers and redshirt freshman Rodney Tucker all showing great promise at tailback, the only healthy incumbent, junior Leon Miller, has shown vast improvement.
Miller ran for 127 yards on 39 carries (averaging 3.3 yards per carry) a year ago. A soft, indecisive runner last season, Miller is now lowering his shoulder on defenders or juking around them during camp.
"I told coach Richardson the other day I thought the best player on our football team for the last six or seven practices of the spring was Leon Miller," Oliver said. "He's steady. He's consistent. He's rock-solid. He went home this summer, got in great shape, lost a little bit of weight. I think you see the results of that on the field. ... He's going to be a solid player for us."
One big plus for Miller (6-1, 200) is his versatility. He has some of the best pass-catching hands of the tailbacks, and he can also play fullback.
"He saw himself getting a chance for a fresh start with a new coordinator, and he's made the most of it," Oliver said. "He's a guy who's valuable to me and will be a valuable part of the offense. We're going to find ways to use him."
The top rusher last season, junior Carl Singleton (knee), has yet to be cleared to practice.
m?GETTING HIS KICKS: Sophomore Colby Miller, the only true kicker Southern has in Camp Richardson, has smoothly performed all his chores, belting field goals of up to 45 yards.
"He's starting to come around," Richardson said. "Having (an experienced) holder and snapper meant a lot. He's going to be all right."
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
[email protected]
Advocate sportswriter
The afternoon session Thursday was to be the Jaguars' first workout in full gear. Instead, Southern had a walkthrough in Seymour Gymnasium.
Southern will practice twice today, as scheduled, but may be in full gear for both workouts. Originally, the Jaguars were to be in shorts, shoulder pads and helmet in the afternoon.
"It depends on how hot it is," Southern coach Pete Richardson said. "We'll try to get our run game in the morning in full pads."
Also, Southern may practice twice Saturday instead of taking the afternoon off after a morning scrimmage. And the Jaguars could also have a special-teams workout Sunday before Media/Picture Day that afternoon.
"I have to keep them fresh mentally," Richardson said. "Physically, they're starting to tire because of two-a-days."
m?MILLER'S TIME: While there are four newcomers and redshirt freshman Rodney Tucker all showing great promise at tailback, the only healthy incumbent, junior Leon Miller, has shown vast improvement.
Miller ran for 127 yards on 39 carries (averaging 3.3 yards per carry) a year ago. A soft, indecisive runner last season, Miller is now lowering his shoulder on defenders or juking around them during camp.
"I told coach Richardson the other day I thought the best player on our football team for the last six or seven practices of the spring was Leon Miller," Oliver said. "He's steady. He's consistent. He's rock-solid. He went home this summer, got in great shape, lost a little bit of weight. I think you see the results of that on the field. ... He's going to be a solid player for us."
One big plus for Miller (6-1, 200) is his versatility. He has some of the best pass-catching hands of the tailbacks, and he can also play fullback.
"He saw himself getting a chance for a fresh start with a new coordinator, and he's made the most of it," Oliver said. "He's a guy who's valuable to me and will be a valuable part of the offense. We're going to find ways to use him."
The top rusher last season, junior Carl Singleton (knee), has yet to be cleared to practice.
m?GETTING HIS KICKS: Sophomore Colby Miller, the only true kicker Southern has in Camp Richardson, has smoothly performed all his chores, belting field goals of up to 45 yards.
"He's starting to come around," Richardson said. "Having (an experienced) holder and snapper meant a lot. He's going to be all right."