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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 08.18: First-String Defense Creates Enthusiasm
8/18/2009 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. - The first-string defense continued to impress the Ole Miss coaches as Houston Nutt's Rebels went through their third session in full pads on Tuesday afternoon at the practice fields adjacent to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
"We really worked hard today on trying to be tougher," Nutt said. "We ended in overtime after taking them through a long, probably 50-play little deal."
Nutt praised the tenacity shown by first-unit defenders at practice, including linebackers Patrick Trahan, Jonathan Cornell and Allen Walker and defensive linemen Marcus Tillman, Kentrell Lockett, Lawon Scott and Emmanuel Stephens.
"Our first group, especially on defense, has shown the best (physicality)," Nutt said. "They're moving around to the ball. They arrive in a bad mood. They're working hard. Those guys that have been around, you can tell they're moving and playing hard. They're creating a lot of enthusiasm for the rest of the squad."
Two of the team's larger presences, who are a little less massive than they used to be, have also caught Nutt's eye.
"I've been pleased with the guys who lost weight. Jerrell Powe and Mark Jean-Louis come to mind because they're moving so much better. They're going to help us."
There were no injuries of note from Tuesday's practice session, but recently cleared freshman Darius Barksdale has been going through additional medical testing, Nutt said.
"They're going to do a little bit more checking on him. We don't know what it is. They're running more tests from the heart. We've always had two or three heart murmurs, but they've always checked everything out. I'm just hoping that's it right now."
Nutt once again noted the good timing between quarterback Jevan Snead and senior receivers Shay Hodge and Dexter McCluster on Tuesday. He also gave an update on just how deep the receiver position will be this season.
"Lionel Breaux has been very consistent, as well as Markeith Summers. Both of those guys know what to do and are getting better. We're still really pleased with Pat Patterson. He'll be in the rotation somehow, in some role. We're excited."
Athletics director Pete Boone and Nutt announced earlier on Tuesday afternoon that Saturday's planned "Meet the Rebels Day" has been cancelled due to precaution in regards to flu concerns in Oxford.
