I hear practice got better and better as the week went on, which is exactly how you want it to unfold heading into a game like Saturdays.
Thursday’s practice was the best of the week for the offensive line in terms of sticking to assignments and picking up the blitzes. Granted, the practice was in shorts and shoulder pads, but they’ve had poor practices recently even when the team wasn’t practicing full contact.
The running backs also received a lot of extra work in pass protection. One player who could play a key role on Saturday is Lanard Stafford. He’s going to be the last line of “defense” on many passing plays. More and more they're looking like a group that's finally on the same page. Whether that carries over to Saturday against arguably the country's best defensive line remains to be seen.
Both Blake Mitchell and Chris Smelley had sharp practices throwing the ball.
Special teams have also received a lot of work this week.
As Spurrier announced last night, Jason Barnes will get his first career start this weekend. Look for Mark Barnes to see a big increase in snaps, too. Chris Culliver should get some passes thrown his way for the first time this year as well.
In talking to multiple sources, there is a quiet confidence the team is feeling coming into this game. They believe in the game plan and feel like they’re prepared to play very well. It's starting to feel more and more like the Florida game in the Swamp last year.
Thursday’s practice was the best of the week for the offensive line in terms of sticking to assignments and picking up the blitzes. Granted, the practice was in shorts and shoulder pads, but they’ve had poor practices recently even when the team wasn’t practicing full contact.
The running backs also received a lot of extra work in pass protection. One player who could play a key role on Saturday is Lanard Stafford. He’s going to be the last line of “defense” on many passing plays. More and more they're looking like a group that's finally on the same page. Whether that carries over to Saturday against arguably the country's best defensive line remains to be seen.
Both Blake Mitchell and Chris Smelley had sharp practices throwing the ball.
Special teams have also received a lot of work this week.
As Spurrier announced last night, Jason Barnes will get his first career start this weekend. Look for Mark Barnes to see a big increase in snaps, too. Chris Culliver should get some passes thrown his way for the first time this year as well.
In talking to multiple sources, there is a quiet confidence the team is feeling coming into this game. They believe in the game plan and feel like they’re prepared to play very well. It's starting to feel more and more like the Florida game in the Swamp last year.
