BeeDee
08-12-2005, 11:24 AM
Presence of Oher helps lineman's play
By Marlon W. Morgan
Commercial Appeal (http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/football/article/0,1426,MCA_478_3996941,00.html)
August 12, 2005
OXFORD, MS -- Offensive lineman Michael Oher has made a favorable impression during the first week of practice. The prized 6-5, 330-pound recruit from Briarcrest has been running with the second team at right guard.
Oher's play has definitely caught the attention of guard Thomas Eckers, the sophomore keeping Oher from getting in the starting rotation.
"Thomas Eckers is really feeling it with Michael Oher behind him,'' Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said. ''He has practiced better than he ever practiced in the spring. He's practicing hard. He comes every day to work. He goes against McKinley Boykin every day and Peria Jerry, two pretty good defensive tackles, and he handles his own. He's really matured in the last six months.''
Kicking the competition
It was initially thought that freshmen kickers Justin Sparks (Briarcrest) and Rob Park (Memphis University School) would wind up winning starting positions.
But early on, Will Moseley is doing his best to stave off both of them. Right now, the Bailey, Miss., native has a hold on all of the kicking duties -- punting, field goals, extra-point attempts and kickoffs.
"I think Moseley is really doing a great job,'' Orgeron said. ''But the competition is still open. Rob Park has done some good things."
Sparks hasn't had a chance to make his mark. He's been out with a left knee injury since the start of practice. Orgeron said he could be back next week.
Ask me no questions...
During Thursday's Media Day, Orgeron was repeatedly asked when he planned to name a starting quarterback. He consistently said it would probably be the week of the Sept. 5 season opener at Memphis.
One persistent television reporter rephrased the question three times.
''If you had to name a starting quarterback tomorrow, who would it be?'' he asked.
''Tomorrow we have two-a-days,'' Orgeron said. ''That's all I know.''
The reporter followed, ''If they made a mistake in the schedule and you started tomorrow, who would be your starting quarterback?''
''We'd have to work all night to put all of our offense and defense in,'' Orgeron replied.
The reporter took one last stab, asking, ''Who's more in tune to beat Memphis?''
Orgeron answered, ''Right now, our focus is totally on camp and our football team."
By Marlon W. Morgan
Commercial Appeal (http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/football/article/0,1426,MCA_478_3996941,00.html)
August 12, 2005
OXFORD, MS -- Offensive lineman Michael Oher has made a favorable impression during the first week of practice. The prized 6-5, 330-pound recruit from Briarcrest has been running with the second team at right guard.
Oher's play has definitely caught the attention of guard Thomas Eckers, the sophomore keeping Oher from getting in the starting rotation.
"Thomas Eckers is really feeling it with Michael Oher behind him,'' Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said. ''He has practiced better than he ever practiced in the spring. He's practicing hard. He comes every day to work. He goes against McKinley Boykin every day and Peria Jerry, two pretty good defensive tackles, and he handles his own. He's really matured in the last six months.''
Kicking the competition
It was initially thought that freshmen kickers Justin Sparks (Briarcrest) and Rob Park (Memphis University School) would wind up winning starting positions.
But early on, Will Moseley is doing his best to stave off both of them. Right now, the Bailey, Miss., native has a hold on all of the kicking duties -- punting, field goals, extra-point attempts and kickoffs.
"I think Moseley is really doing a great job,'' Orgeron said. ''But the competition is still open. Rob Park has done some good things."
Sparks hasn't had a chance to make his mark. He's been out with a left knee injury since the start of practice. Orgeron said he could be back next week.
Ask me no questions...
During Thursday's Media Day, Orgeron was repeatedly asked when he planned to name a starting quarterback. He consistently said it would probably be the week of the Sept. 5 season opener at Memphis.
One persistent television reporter rephrased the question three times.
''If you had to name a starting quarterback tomorrow, who would it be?'' he asked.
''Tomorrow we have two-a-days,'' Orgeron said. ''That's all I know.''
The reporter followed, ''If they made a mistake in the schedule and you started tomorrow, who would be your starting quarterback?''
''We'd have to work all night to put all of our offense and defense in,'' Orgeron replied.
The reporter took one last stab, asking, ''Who's more in tune to beat Memphis?''
Orgeron answered, ''Right now, our focus is totally on camp and our football team."