JerryBeeds
08-08-2005, 07:58 PM
Posted on Mon, Aug. 08, 2005
Cox plays well in rain
BY CHRISTA TURNER
Staff Writer
Peering through the rain on Sunday afternoon, Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges saw things he liked.
He saw his No. 1 quarterback, Brandon Cox , begin to display more control of the offense -- and this despite a driving rain that consumed most of the practice.
"I think we took a step (Sunday)," Borges said. "Brandon Cox is starting to show more and more command. He did a really nice job. He had a couple of bad balls, but when the conditions get this bad, you're not going to throw it 40 times."
Rain fell for about 15 minutes early in the practice as players participated in one-on-one drills. After a brief respite, the skies opened for the final 30 minutes of practice. Because of the weather, coaches moved up the team work, then spent the latter half of the practice doing 11-on-11 team work.
Scuffle
Most of the scuffles between players have been good-natured as the offense and defense go against each other on a regular basis.
The tone changed on Sunday evening when defensive backs Patrick Lee and Anthony Campbell swapped words and then tussled. Lee took down Campbell, then safety Kevin Hobbs got between the two. However, Lee continued to punch and kick at Campbell, who was on the ground.
Defensive coordinator David Gibbs had private conversations with each of the players, clearly letting them know he wouldn't accept that. Many teammates were yelling, "Come on guys, we're a team."
It took several players talking to Campbell to settle him down and, afterwards, the two were wary of each other, staying on opposite ends of the sideline.
On the field again
After missing the first four practices, running back Tre Smith finally got on the field Sunday afternoon, even though it was brief.
Smith, who had an emergency appendectomy on July 26, caught punts and said he believes he'll be doing some work with the offense Tuesday.
"It feels good. They're slowly working me back in," Smith said. "I'll probably stay out of contact, but it felt good catching punts. I can run full speed and I can cut, but I haven't done any contact."
Said Tuberville, "I think he can go. He thinks he can go. But we're not going to take any chances. We'll wait through the first scrimmage and then start him going."
In his absence, redshirt freshman Tristan Davis has looked solid working with the second team.
"He's been really good," Borges said. "He's very explosive, but naturally lost."
Injury report
Center Steven Ross (hip flexor) and defensive end Stanley McClover (hamstring) did not practice, while Wayne Dickens (rib muscle, hamstring) returned to practice. Steve Gandy (concussion) worked out on the side.
Tuberville said McClover would likely be out a week, while he expected Ross and Gandy back for Tuesday's two practices.
The Tigers will take today off except for meetings and a walk-through and will return to the practice field at 9:30 Tuesday morning. The team will practice again at 5:30 p.m. The team will hold its first scrimmage Wednesday.
Cox plays well in rain
BY CHRISTA TURNER
Staff Writer
Peering through the rain on Sunday afternoon, Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges saw things he liked.
He saw his No. 1 quarterback, Brandon Cox , begin to display more control of the offense -- and this despite a driving rain that consumed most of the practice.
"I think we took a step (Sunday)," Borges said. "Brandon Cox is starting to show more and more command. He did a really nice job. He had a couple of bad balls, but when the conditions get this bad, you're not going to throw it 40 times."
Rain fell for about 15 minutes early in the practice as players participated in one-on-one drills. After a brief respite, the skies opened for the final 30 minutes of practice. Because of the weather, coaches moved up the team work, then spent the latter half of the practice doing 11-on-11 team work.
Scuffle
Most of the scuffles between players have been good-natured as the offense and defense go against each other on a regular basis.
The tone changed on Sunday evening when defensive backs Patrick Lee and Anthony Campbell swapped words and then tussled. Lee took down Campbell, then safety Kevin Hobbs got between the two. However, Lee continued to punch and kick at Campbell, who was on the ground.
Defensive coordinator David Gibbs had private conversations with each of the players, clearly letting them know he wouldn't accept that. Many teammates were yelling, "Come on guys, we're a team."
It took several players talking to Campbell to settle him down and, afterwards, the two were wary of each other, staying on opposite ends of the sideline.
On the field again
After missing the first four practices, running back Tre Smith finally got on the field Sunday afternoon, even though it was brief.
Smith, who had an emergency appendectomy on July 26, caught punts and said he believes he'll be doing some work with the offense Tuesday.
"It feels good. They're slowly working me back in," Smith said. "I'll probably stay out of contact, but it felt good catching punts. I can run full speed and I can cut, but I haven't done any contact."
Said Tuberville, "I think he can go. He thinks he can go. But we're not going to take any chances. We'll wait through the first scrimmage and then start him going."
In his absence, redshirt freshman Tristan Davis has looked solid working with the second team.
"He's been really good," Borges said. "He's very explosive, but naturally lost."
Injury report
Center Steven Ross (hip flexor) and defensive end Stanley McClover (hamstring) did not practice, while Wayne Dickens (rib muscle, hamstring) returned to practice. Steve Gandy (concussion) worked out on the side.
Tuberville said McClover would likely be out a week, while he expected Ross and Gandy back for Tuesday's two practices.
The Tigers will take today off except for meetings and a walk-through and will return to the practice field at 9:30 Tuesday morning. The team will practice again at 5:30 p.m. The team will hold its first scrimmage Wednesday.