BeeDee
08-09-2005, 04:22 PM
Split sessions test coaches' stamina
By Michael Wallace
mwallace@clarionledger.com
OXFORD — After three days of split practice sessions at Ole Miss, it's becoming tough to tell which group is working harder: the players toiling through three-hour practices in searing heat or the coaches pushing them through it.
The answer very well could be coach Ed Orgeron and his staff.
Monday afternoon's practice marked the third straight day Ole Miss coaches have essentially worked around the clock under the split practice format, which calls for the veterans to practice in the mornings while rookies and some backups go in the afternoon.
For the coaches, that means arriving on campus for initial meetings by 6 a.m., conducting a varsity practice that starts at 8:45, more meetings over lunch, working out the rookies starting at 2:45 and then another set of meetings that run until about midnight.
"As a coach, you definitely have to get yourself in condition during the offseason to coach at this type of pace," assistant defensive backs coach Tony Hughes said. "There's nothing laid back about this. You have to get after it. I would say this is the first time I've been with a staff that goes at it like this. You're not only demanding that the players give you their best, you have to put in your best every day, too."
Mazzone on QB race
Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said Monday that senior Micheal Spurlock, sophomore Robert Lane and junior Ethan Flatt each are making progress, but that it's still too early to settle on any player as the clear-cut starter.
During one session of red zone scrimmage work on Monday, Spurlock completed 4 of 7 passes with two touchdowns. Lane was 4 of 8 for a touchdown. Flatt's best work came during 7-on-7 drills when he completed several short passes.
"I'd like to see all three step to the front and do some of the intangibles quarterbacks need to do, and they're starting to do that," Mazzone said. "Micheal's coming along, Robert is trying hard and Ethan is really showing a good knowledge of the offense."
Freshmen Billy Tapp and Taylor Mazzone, Noel's son, have also had impressive moments. "They're picking it up quickly like sponges, which is what you like to see from young guys," Mazzone said.
Heard at familiar spot
Graduate assistant coach Grant Heard found himself in a familiar spot during Monday afternoon's freshman practice. He was lined up at wide receiver, just like old times.
A shortage of bodies at receiver forced the record-setting wideout to line up as a decoy for a few snaps.
"I wasn't trying to get anything across to them," said Heard, who was UM's career leader in receptions when he wrapped up in 2000 with 142 grabs. "We were low on numbers, so I was trying to get in, fit in and help out any way I could."
Odds and ends
Orgeron said Monday that senior WR Taye Biddle could be out up to two weeks while clearing up an academic matter that threatens his eligibility for the season ... First-team center Darryl Harris was excused from Monday's practice to attend his grandmother's funeral ... PK Will Moseley was 8 of 8 on FG attempts Monday. "He's in the race now," Orgeron said.
By Michael Wallace
mwallace@clarionledger.com
OXFORD — After three days of split practice sessions at Ole Miss, it's becoming tough to tell which group is working harder: the players toiling through three-hour practices in searing heat or the coaches pushing them through it.
The answer very well could be coach Ed Orgeron and his staff.
Monday afternoon's practice marked the third straight day Ole Miss coaches have essentially worked around the clock under the split practice format, which calls for the veterans to practice in the mornings while rookies and some backups go in the afternoon.
For the coaches, that means arriving on campus for initial meetings by 6 a.m., conducting a varsity practice that starts at 8:45, more meetings over lunch, working out the rookies starting at 2:45 and then another set of meetings that run until about midnight.
"As a coach, you definitely have to get yourself in condition during the offseason to coach at this type of pace," assistant defensive backs coach Tony Hughes said. "There's nothing laid back about this. You have to get after it. I would say this is the first time I've been with a staff that goes at it like this. You're not only demanding that the players give you their best, you have to put in your best every day, too."
Mazzone on QB race
Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said Monday that senior Micheal Spurlock, sophomore Robert Lane and junior Ethan Flatt each are making progress, but that it's still too early to settle on any player as the clear-cut starter.
During one session of red zone scrimmage work on Monday, Spurlock completed 4 of 7 passes with two touchdowns. Lane was 4 of 8 for a touchdown. Flatt's best work came during 7-on-7 drills when he completed several short passes.
"I'd like to see all three step to the front and do some of the intangibles quarterbacks need to do, and they're starting to do that," Mazzone said. "Micheal's coming along, Robert is trying hard and Ethan is really showing a good knowledge of the offense."
Freshmen Billy Tapp and Taylor Mazzone, Noel's son, have also had impressive moments. "They're picking it up quickly like sponges, which is what you like to see from young guys," Mazzone said.
Heard at familiar spot
Graduate assistant coach Grant Heard found himself in a familiar spot during Monday afternoon's freshman practice. He was lined up at wide receiver, just like old times.
A shortage of bodies at receiver forced the record-setting wideout to line up as a decoy for a few snaps.
"I wasn't trying to get anything across to them," said Heard, who was UM's career leader in receptions when he wrapped up in 2000 with 142 grabs. "We were low on numbers, so I was trying to get in, fit in and help out any way I could."
Odds and ends
Orgeron said Monday that senior WR Taye Biddle could be out up to two weeks while clearing up an academic matter that threatens his eligibility for the season ... First-team center Darryl Harris was excused from Monday's practice to attend his grandmother's funeral ... PK Will Moseley was 8 of 8 on FG attempts Monday. "He's in the race now," Orgeron said.