BeeDee
08-11-2005, 02:28 PM
Nice problem
Ole Miss is loaded at tailback position with four ready to step up
By Marlon W. Morgan
Commercial Appeal (http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/football/article/0,1426,MCA_478_3993909,00.html)
August 11, 2005
OXFORD, MS -- To have two talented running backs in college football is a necessity. To have four of them capable of starting, well, that's considered a blessing.
That's how Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron is viewing his tailback situation during the Rebels' first week of preseason practice.
Jamal Pittman, a punishing junior, began camp as the favorite to win the starting role, with sophomore Alan Abrams -- who spent most of last year as a backup -- right behind him.
But as Orgeron expected, incoming freshmen Kendrick Perry and Antonio Turner have wasted no time displaying skills that make them worthy of tossing the ball their way, too.
And that's not even counting BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who may be the best out of all of them, but has to sit out this year after transferring from Indiana.
"A couple of them may have to play fullback or something like that,'' Orgeron said. ''Just to play in this league, I don't think you can go through the league with two tailbacks.''
Pittman only participated in drills Wednesday, skipping the contact work while nursing a bruised shoulder. But unlike most of the way it's gone in his Ole Miss career, it's not an injury that's going to keep him on the sidelines.
The 6-2, 240-pound Columbia, Miss., native has played in just nine games over the last two years after suffering two knee injuries and also serving a six-game suspension for disciplinary reasons at the start of last season. Running backs coach Frank Wilson isn't concerned with Pittman's past injuries as much as he is his conditioning. The Rebels staff would like its featured back to be ready to tote the ball 20-plus times a game.
"He has not done that since high school,'' Wilson said. ''I think it's more of a stamina thing and making sure he's able to withstand that throughout the season.''
After last year's leading rusher, Vashon Pearson, was ruled academically ineligible in the spring, Pittman became the frontrunner to take over.
That was until Orgeron declared every starting position open, which was fine with Pittman.
"When your slate is clean and you get to start all over, it's always a blessing,'' Pittman said. ''When Coach O came and he told us from the beginning (the jobs were open), my eyes lit up.
"When (Pearson) was here, there was a lot of motivation. But when he left, the motivation kind of picked up. A lot of people, when their competition leaves, they'll slack off.''
Pittman can't afford to slack off, though, because he has three other backs right on his heels. Abrams took Pittman's spot with the first unit Wednesday and broke off several nice runs. The 6-0, 205-pounder from Orlando was second on the team last year with 275 yards on 56 carries. He made two starts.
"Alan looks good,'' Wilson said. ''The last two days, he's had good practices. He's competing to earn a starting spot. Right now, like every position on this team, that's one position that's heated. We think that strengthens our team and makes us a better team when you have guys fighting for a starting position.''
Perry and Turner are right in the midst of that fight. Both provide the Rebels with size and speed. Perry, from Amite, La., is 6-2 and 219 pounds while Turner, from Orlando, is 6-1, 223.
Perry was impressive during Tuesday's workout, the first combined practice with freshmen and veterans.
"That's a big confidence builder, coming in as freshmen and playing with the older guys,'' Perry said. ''They're much faster and (a lot) stronger. We just have to do what we can.''
Turner ran with the second teamers Wednesday, getting his first real glimpse at a swarming veteran defense. But by the end of practice, he was back to making plays.
"They fly to the ball,'' Turner said. ''It was like nothing I ever imagined. I feel like it's natural now. If I can get that feeling back like I was in high school, it'll be a good transition.''
Expect to see both of them on the field in some capacity this season.
"They give us the ideal back in our system that can take the pounding of an SEC season,'' Wilson said. ''We want to get them on the field and we're going to give them an opportunity to compete to get on the field.''
The biggest problem for Orgeron right now is separating the four backs. While each has had impressive glimpses, no one is pulling away from the pack.
Said Orgeron: "No one has stood out at the running back position, (for you) to just say, 'Hey that's the guy.
''I haven't seen that yet.''
Ole Miss is loaded at tailback position with four ready to step up
By Marlon W. Morgan
Commercial Appeal (http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/football/article/0,1426,MCA_478_3993909,00.html)
August 11, 2005
OXFORD, MS -- To have two talented running backs in college football is a necessity. To have four of them capable of starting, well, that's considered a blessing.
That's how Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron is viewing his tailback situation during the Rebels' first week of preseason practice.
Jamal Pittman, a punishing junior, began camp as the favorite to win the starting role, with sophomore Alan Abrams -- who spent most of last year as a backup -- right behind him.
But as Orgeron expected, incoming freshmen Kendrick Perry and Antonio Turner have wasted no time displaying skills that make them worthy of tossing the ball their way, too.
And that's not even counting BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who may be the best out of all of them, but has to sit out this year after transferring from Indiana.
"A couple of them may have to play fullback or something like that,'' Orgeron said. ''Just to play in this league, I don't think you can go through the league with two tailbacks.''
Pittman only participated in drills Wednesday, skipping the contact work while nursing a bruised shoulder. But unlike most of the way it's gone in his Ole Miss career, it's not an injury that's going to keep him on the sidelines.
The 6-2, 240-pound Columbia, Miss., native has played in just nine games over the last two years after suffering two knee injuries and also serving a six-game suspension for disciplinary reasons at the start of last season. Running backs coach Frank Wilson isn't concerned with Pittman's past injuries as much as he is his conditioning. The Rebels staff would like its featured back to be ready to tote the ball 20-plus times a game.
"He has not done that since high school,'' Wilson said. ''I think it's more of a stamina thing and making sure he's able to withstand that throughout the season.''
After last year's leading rusher, Vashon Pearson, was ruled academically ineligible in the spring, Pittman became the frontrunner to take over.
That was until Orgeron declared every starting position open, which was fine with Pittman.
"When your slate is clean and you get to start all over, it's always a blessing,'' Pittman said. ''When Coach O came and he told us from the beginning (the jobs were open), my eyes lit up.
"When (Pearson) was here, there was a lot of motivation. But when he left, the motivation kind of picked up. A lot of people, when their competition leaves, they'll slack off.''
Pittman can't afford to slack off, though, because he has three other backs right on his heels. Abrams took Pittman's spot with the first unit Wednesday and broke off several nice runs. The 6-0, 205-pounder from Orlando was second on the team last year with 275 yards on 56 carries. He made two starts.
"Alan looks good,'' Wilson said. ''The last two days, he's had good practices. He's competing to earn a starting spot. Right now, like every position on this team, that's one position that's heated. We think that strengthens our team and makes us a better team when you have guys fighting for a starting position.''
Perry and Turner are right in the midst of that fight. Both provide the Rebels with size and speed. Perry, from Amite, La., is 6-2 and 219 pounds while Turner, from Orlando, is 6-1, 223.
Perry was impressive during Tuesday's workout, the first combined practice with freshmen and veterans.
"That's a big confidence builder, coming in as freshmen and playing with the older guys,'' Perry said. ''They're much faster and (a lot) stronger. We just have to do what we can.''
Turner ran with the second teamers Wednesday, getting his first real glimpse at a swarming veteran defense. But by the end of practice, he was back to making plays.
"They fly to the ball,'' Turner said. ''It was like nothing I ever imagined. I feel like it's natural now. If I can get that feeling back like I was in high school, it'll be a good transition.''
Expect to see both of them on the field in some capacity this season.
"They give us the ideal back in our system that can take the pounding of an SEC season,'' Wilson said. ''We want to get them on the field and we're going to give them an opportunity to compete to get on the field.''
The biggest problem for Orgeron right now is separating the four backs. While each has had impressive glimpses, no one is pulling away from the pack.
Said Orgeron: "No one has stood out at the running back position, (for you) to just say, 'Hey that's the guy.
''I haven't seen that yet.''