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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Opens Week Two of Preseason
8/11/2008 | Football
After announcing earlier in the day the loss of All-American defensive end Greg Hardy for six to eight weeks, Rebel head coach Houston Nutt was pleased to have a relatively injury-free practice and saw some positives from those wounded players working toward a return. “(Today) was encouraging,” Nutt said. “(Peria Jerry) is moving around a lot better. Allen Walker is moving better. Kendrick Lewis came out and really looked good, and that helps. “We had about nine, 10, or 11 good periods, and then we went into that sluggish mode. We need to get a little bit tougher and finish.” With Hardy temporarily out of action, Nutt said he hopes to see more progress from his other ends rather than move interior lineman to the outside. “Right now, we’re going to keep (Marcus Tillman) inside,” he said. “Hopefully, (Emmanuel) Stephens, (Chris) Bowers, LaDerrick Vaughn, Jermey Parnell and Kentrell Lockett will keep coming. Lockett is really doing well. “(Parnell) is getting more reps, but you just wish you had him a couple years ago so you could develop those fundamentals. It’s a long process, but he does some things that really catch your eye.” Similarly, “Patrick Trahan, Jason Jones, Lamar Brumfield and Lekenwic Haynes are getting valuable reps,” said Nutt. “Trahan’s only problem is he didn’t have (Strength) Coach (Don) Decker all summer. He’s doing really well.” Looking back at Saturday’s scrimmage, Nutt praised the mental focus of the first-year Rebels. “For the first scrimmage, it wasn’t too bad,” he said. “A lot of the freshmen’s heads are still spinning, but I like the way they’re really listening and trying to get better.” Ole Miss returns to the practice field Tuesday, and on Saturday, the players and coaches will be greeting fans as part of “Meet the Rebels” Day at the Indoor Practice Facility. Festivities begin at noon with the UMAA Foundation membership luncheon.
