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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Spring Practice Report 04.02
4/2/2010 | Football
With overcast skies and more than 100 fans in the stands, Ole Miss wasted little time before jumping into the scrimmage for two hours. Rebel head coach Houston Nutt was once again impressed by the defense, particularly the line.
"I've been telling you all week the defense is good," Nutt said. "The defense up front gives us a chance because of experience. The guys in the trenches are strong and understand technique.
"I felt like the safeties were physical. The corners gave up that one deep ball, but other than that, they were really solid."
On the offensive side, the Rebels were able to get very little going, particularly in the running game where a one-yard TD run by Rodney Scott was one of the few highlights.
"Offensively, 1,000 miles to go," Nutt said. "It's what we expected, but we have to pick it up. We have to do much, much better. We have to be more physical. We had very few running lanes today for our backs."
A bright spot Friday was wide receiver Ja-Mes Logan with a pair of touchdown catches. The redshirt freshman hauled in an eight-yard scoring pass from Raymond Cotton and a 20-yarder from Nathan Stanley.
"Ja-Mes Logan continues to step up for us," said Nutt. "He's what we thought he was coming out of high school, very good, very talented. Fundamentally, he's gotten better, and he's stronger and faster. He could always catch the ball, a very smooth athlete. He gives us a chance. I'm excited."
The quarterback competition continues with Stanley holding the edge, although Nutt said that Cotton would come in for the third series if the season started today. Nutt said both QBs need to show better instincts in the pocket.
"The quarterbacks were just a little bit inconsistent," he said. "We had a lot of checks for them today. They were thinking, and they have to get to where they can play without thinking so much."
Another position battle is at center with sophomore A.J. Hawkins and true freshman Evan Swindall. Nutt said Hawkins' experience gives him the slight advantage right now.
Hawkins and Swindall are among a group of young Rebel linemen competing for snaps in the interior of the line. Nutt is optimistic that their struggles this spring can prepare them for the future.
"They're listening and trying," he said. "For a lot of them, this is their first time to play. Everything is new, and you're going against one of the best in the country. You're going against Jerrell Powe every snap, so you're not going to look that good early on. We understand that. By the end of the spring, after getting your nose bloodied a few times, you're going to be better."
The Rebels take the weekend off from spring drills before returning to the practice field Monday at 4 p.m. Spring practices are open to the public, and times and locations will be updated daily on OleMissSports.com and twitter.com/OleMissNow.
Spring drills will conclude with the annual Grove Bowl, April 17 at 1 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Other events surrounding the weekend include the Chucky Mullins Courage Award Banquet April 15 at 7 p.m., and the Grove Stage program with Dexter McCluster the morning of the Grove Bowl at 11 a.m.
