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The University of Mississippi Athletics
INSIDER: Rebels Reach Midway Point in Spring
3/26/2007 | Football
By Ben Garrett
OleMissSports.com Insider
The Ole Miss football team has reached the midway point of spring practice, and with numerous question areas entering the spring, many are starting to take form.
Returning four starters along the offensive line, the big-uglies were considered a strength for the Rebels and have yet to disappoint. Rebel head coach Ed Orgeron has consistently praised linemen Michael Oher, John Jerry and Reid Neely for their work this spring, and believes this unit has the potential to be the best on the team headed into next season.
"The defensive line is holding their own against them, but the offensive line is doing a great job. Their communication is better, they are working hard and moving well," Orgeron said. "They are growing as a unit. You have to credit Art Kehoe. He's doing a fantastic job with them."
A question Coach Orgeron has had to answer in each of his practice updates has been the quarterback position. Orgeron believes that there is still a long way to go until a starter will be named, but he has seen some encouraging signs of improvement.
"I have seen some positives in our quarterback play so far. I have seen some good things from Seth Adams in terms of throwing the ball downfield, and operating the offense within its framework, which is encouraging," said Orgeron. "Brent (Schaeffer) has the ability to make big plays, has a strong arm and has scrambling ability. "We are going to let the competition between them develop and when something happens, it happens. It's an ongoing project."
The linebacker position was a major question mark headed into this spring, and with the departures of Patrick Willis and Rory Johnson to the NFL Draft, the task of building a unit has been even tougher. With new linebacker coach Dave Corrao mixing and matching players to find the most cohesive group, progress is being made slowly but surely.
"I think the guys are coming along. Dave (Corrao) is doing a fantastic job, but we are still mixing and matching some guys, and some guys are starting to show up," Orgeron said. "Jonathon Cornell is doing well learning the Mike linebacker position, and we got some other guys we are putting out there, but nobody has really clinched a spot yet."
Last season the wide receiver core was very young and inexperienced, but with a year under their belts, the group has come out determined to improve. According to Coach "O", sophomores Marshay Green and Dexter McCluster, who did not play the final six games due to injury, have stepped up there play and are showing considerable progress.
"The group as a whole are catching the ball better and making some plays. They're running their routes better," he noted. "Marshay and Dexter have made some plays, but we're still not where we need to be in the passing game. We have a ways to go there."
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Ole Miss' leading rusher last year, has picked up where he left off with a solid spring thus far. Orgeron has praised the bruiser for his work ethic and ability to make big plays.
"BenJarvus has made some great runs," Orgeron said. "He has looked good so far and improved his game. We have put some plays in for him catching the ball out of the backfield to use him more effectively."
New defensive coordinator John Thompson has brought a more aggressive style to the defense, which has been prevalent throughout the first two weeks. With various forms of blitzing, zone coverage and formations, the intensity level of the squad has risen.
"John really gets to the guys and gets them to play his style of football," said Orgeron. "Coach Thompson brings a lot of and enthusiasm to the staff. He's very organized, and works hard. He's intense and an excellent motivator for our players."
With two more weeks to go, spring practice will be interesting to watch, as more position battles and solidification of starting roles begin to take place. But with each passing day of spring, progress has certainly begun to show.
And with any Orgeron coached Ole Miss team, fans can count on continued enthusiasm and intensity for the remaining two weeks.
"Our team chemistry and attitude has been fantastic," Orgeron said. "We are a very close knit group and its starting to show out on the field."
