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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 08.19: Less Practice, More Pleasure
8/19/2010 | Football
Aug. 19, 2010
OXFORD, Miss. -- After grinding through practice for 11 straights days, Ole Miss took a break on Thursday, as Rebel head coach Houston Nutt surprised the players by canceling the evening workout.
The team had weight training and a light walk-thru in the morning and the rest of the day is filled with meetings and leisure activities, including swimming and bowling.
"After watching film yesterday and the effort they gave us, we thought we'd let them get their legs back under them a little bit," Nutt said. "We worked out this morning and took the pads off. We really had a good film session. We lifted and did about an hour and 10 minutes worth of work offensively and defensively. We'll come back in here again tonight and watch film, study and get back on target tomorrow morning."
Nutt also provided updates on some of the players that have missed recent practice time.
"Lionel Breaux was back this morning, and he's fine. Markeith (Summer) should be ready to go tomorrow. Mike Marry is the one that is lingering a little bit."
Missing practice time was common for junior DT Justin Smith during a 2009 season that saw him deal with a number of health issues. The Alpharetta, Ga., native is finally back on the field and competing for snaps in a crowded defensive line interior, which includes a quartet of talented seniors.
"He's back out here going 100 miles an hour," Nutt said. "He's just got a lot of rust on him and a lot of guys in front of him. We'll see how he is after another week. I fully intend for him to be in the mix. It's just that the one thing we have right now, knock on wood, is Jerrell Powe, Lawon Scott, Ted Laurent, LaMark Armour, all playing at a high level."
The Rebels return to the practice fields Friday in preparation for Saturday's full-squad scrimmage, which will cap Meet The Rebels Day festivities.
Fans will be introduced to the football, soccer and volleyball teams and student-athletes will be signing autographs. Activities begin with a volleyball scrimmage at 10 a.m. at the Gillom Sports Center, followed by fan festivities at noon at the Indoor Practice Facility. The football squad will take the field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at 5:20 p.m. with the hour-long scrimmage starting at 6 p.m.
