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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Nutt Pleased With Rebels? Consistency
8/12/2008 | Football
Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt, who said he felt like his team had hit a wall in the previous few practices, expressed his pleasure with how his team played with much more consistency than in recent days.
“They really responded and did a good job today,” Nutt said. “Everyone was practicing hard and trying to correct their mistakes. We got out of that sluggish mode and really came out and played today.”
Nutt also praised the play of his secondary and said he feels like his defensive backs will prove to be one of his strengths this season.
“I think Kendrick Lewis, Jamarca Sanford, Johnny Brown and Fon Ingram have all had really good camps,” he said. “I think they are really working hard with a good attitude, and these guys are really trying to make a step in the right direction.”
“Kendrick has shown me great eyes, great vision, and does a great job breaking on the ball,” Nutt said. “He is a physical hitter and I am glad that we have him.”
Linebacker Patrick Trahan, one of the Rebels’ top signees, continues to improve in practice each day and is keeping the attention of Nutt.
“He is a lot stronger than people think,” Nutt said. “The only problem is that he is out of shape, but he is getting better every day and he is going to help us. No question about it.”
With the influx on injuries to the Rebel defensive line, freshman Justin Smith continues to impress Nutt on a daily basis.
“He has great intensity, has very good focus, he doesn’t bust and he lines up correctly,” Nutt said. “Sometimes you expect freshmen on the defensive line to take a little bit longer to develop, but Justin doesn’t act like a freshman.”
Ole Miss returns to the practice field Wednesday, and on Saturday, the players and coaches will greet fans as part of “Meet the Rebels Day” at the Indoor Practice Facility. Festivities began at noon with the UMAA Foundation membership luncheon.
