O
OleMissInPeaceTalk about it in The Grove
OXFORD, Miss. -- On Wednesday, Ole Miss' offense struggled mightily.
One day later, the same unit was virtually unstoppable.
Neal McCready
Ole Miss freshman offensive lineman Aaron Morris listens to instructions from offensive line coach Mike Markuson during Thursday's practice. Morris moved to offensive guard Thursday and could be in line for playing time early this season. Ole Miss opens its 2011 campaign in Oxford Sept. 3 against Brigham Young.
Ole Miss offensive coordinator David Lee said there's a good reason for said roller coaster ride.
"A lot of young players, number one, and number two, we're installing," Lee said following Thursday's 2 ?-hour practice, adding that Thursday's practice was the sixth of eight installations. "We've got some really good young talent that could be difference-makers for us in the fall. The recruiting class that Coach (Houston) Nutt and his staff did last winter is phenomenal. I was here five years with Steve Sloan. We never recruited a class this good."
The Rebels' newcomers certainly backed up Lee's words of praise Thursday. Donte Moncrief had several catches on deep passes from Randall Mackey. Nick Brassell had a handful of highlight-reel receptions as well, and tight end Jamal Mosley continues to forge a large role in Ole Miss' offense.
On Thursday, another freshman _ offensive lineman Aaron Morris _ raised his profile with a move inside from tackle to guard.
"That guy's a player also," Lee said. "We've been blessed with a good recruiting class. It's changed the complexion of our team, in my opinion - on offense, for sure."
Lee said Barry Brunetti was 13-for-16 passing (using the Rebels' chart, which gives credit for a completion to the quarterback if the pass hits the receiver's hands) with a rushing touchdown. Mackey was 11-for-17 passing with three touchdown passes and Zack Stoudt was 4-for-5 with a touchdown pass.
"I think all three can play," Lee said. "?Today, it was tough to evaluate them because Brunetti and Mackey both looked really, really good. They both looked like starters. Brunetti, to be honest with you, has been the guy I've found to trust both on and off the field. He goes to class, does the right thing. He's at tutoring. He's a trustworthy guy. ?But the other two are really coming. I'm pleased with their progress."
Mackey said he benefited from the Rebels' installation of their option package.
"This type of offense is one me and Barry can run real good with reads and all that," Mackey said. "I was real comfortable today. Every day is just a work-hard-and-get-better-day. Every day."
Brunetti said he's just focusing on consistency and getting the football to the myriad of targets at his disposal.
"I kind of knew they were amazing anyway before they came in, but it's the way they worked this summer, putting in the extra work after seven-on-seven practices," Brunetti said. "Especially Snoop (Brassell) and Donte and Collins (Moore) and T.J. (Worthy) are playing, they're playing like three-year starters."
Brunetti said he's not dwelling on the ongoing quarterback race, focusing instead on "taking reps as a (starter) and keep going forward with it and keep getting better each day. If I have a bad day, I try to forget about it and just keep going and keep in my mind as if I am the starter and play like a starter. Because I know in my mind, I still have two great guys behind me who can be the starter any day."
Neal McCready
Ole Miss quarterback Randall Mackey looks downfield in team drills Thursday. Mackey was 11-for-17 passing with three touchdowns in Thursday's work.
NUTT PLEASED WITH WORK: Nutt said junior college transfer defensive tackle Uriah Grant and Morris caught his eye repeatedly Thursday.
"Aaron doesn't know everything, but boy, he was really, really physical today," Nutt said. "It could happen at guard or tackle. I just don't know. He's a talented, talented guy. He's just got a long way to go mentally, but he's getting there. But as far as feet-wise and the physical stature, boy, he has it. He's going to be really good.
"We knew he was good, but the speed of the game on the fourth day, you just don't expect it. But he just keeps turning your head in one-on-ones and middle drill. Where a lot of freshmen fold back at the end when they're hot and tired, he just keeps pushing to the top. He's a special guy."
Nutt also singled out Moncrief, wide receiver Philander Moore, tight ends Ferbia Allen and Mosley and tailback Enrique Davis.
"We're excited," Nutt said. "We're not there by any means, but we're working at it."
NKEMDICHE CATCHING UP: Freshman safety Denzel Nkemdiche worked in shoulder pads Thursday as he catches up from a "depressing" weekend spent waiting for the NCAA Clearinghouse to rule on an online course he took in his junior year at Grayson (Ga.) High School.
Moncrief and a couple of the other freshmen were calling me and telling me they were getting after it," Nkemdiche said. "They wanted me to be here. Damien Jackson and Wayne Dorsey were telling me they wanted me and needed me to come back. It was tough."
Nkemdiche said he's been spending extra time in the film room and studying the playbook to make up for the four missed practices.
"I feel like I'm catching up a lot," Nkemdiche said. "So I'm just working and coming back and getting extra time with the coaches a lot."
REBEL RUMBLINGS: Linebacker Mike Marry (hamstring) dressed but was limited Thursday. Nutt said Marry should be ready in time to scrimmage Saturday at 6 p.m. ?Oxford (Lafayette), Miss., quarterback Jeremy Liggins was once again at Ole Miss' practice Thursday. ?Ole Miss will practice again Friday at 4:30 p.m.
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OXFORD, Miss. -- On Wednesday, Ole Miss' offense struggled mightily.
One day later, the same unit was virtually unstoppable.
Neal McCready
Ole Miss freshman offensive lineman Aaron Morris listens to instructions from offensive line coach Mike Markuson during Thursday's practice. Morris moved to offensive guard Thursday and could be in line for playing time early this season. Ole Miss opens its 2011 campaign in Oxford Sept. 3 against Brigham Young.
Ole Miss offensive coordinator David Lee said there's a good reason for said roller coaster ride.
"A lot of young players, number one, and number two, we're installing," Lee said following Thursday's 2 ?-hour practice, adding that Thursday's practice was the sixth of eight installations. "We've got some really good young talent that could be difference-makers for us in the fall. The recruiting class that Coach (Houston) Nutt and his staff did last winter is phenomenal. I was here five years with Steve Sloan. We never recruited a class this good."
The Rebels' newcomers certainly backed up Lee's words of praise Thursday. Donte Moncrief had several catches on deep passes from Randall Mackey. Nick Brassell had a handful of highlight-reel receptions as well, and tight end Jamal Mosley continues to forge a large role in Ole Miss' offense.
On Thursday, another freshman _ offensive lineman Aaron Morris _ raised his profile with a move inside from tackle to guard.
"That guy's a player also," Lee said. "We've been blessed with a good recruiting class. It's changed the complexion of our team, in my opinion - on offense, for sure."
Lee said Barry Brunetti was 13-for-16 passing (using the Rebels' chart, which gives credit for a completion to the quarterback if the pass hits the receiver's hands) with a rushing touchdown. Mackey was 11-for-17 passing with three touchdown passes and Zack Stoudt was 4-for-5 with a touchdown pass.
"I think all three can play," Lee said. "?Today, it was tough to evaluate them because Brunetti and Mackey both looked really, really good. They both looked like starters. Brunetti, to be honest with you, has been the guy I've found to trust both on and off the field. He goes to class, does the right thing. He's at tutoring. He's a trustworthy guy. ?But the other two are really coming. I'm pleased with their progress."
Mackey said he benefited from the Rebels' installation of their option package.
"This type of offense is one me and Barry can run real good with reads and all that," Mackey said. "I was real comfortable today. Every day is just a work-hard-and-get-better-day. Every day."
Brunetti said he's just focusing on consistency and getting the football to the myriad of targets at his disposal.
"I kind of knew they were amazing anyway before they came in, but it's the way they worked this summer, putting in the extra work after seven-on-seven practices," Brunetti said. "Especially Snoop (Brassell) and Donte and Collins (Moore) and T.J. (Worthy) are playing, they're playing like three-year starters."
Brunetti said he's not dwelling on the ongoing quarterback race, focusing instead on "taking reps as a (starter) and keep going forward with it and keep getting better each day. If I have a bad day, I try to forget about it and just keep going and keep in my mind as if I am the starter and play like a starter. Because I know in my mind, I still have two great guys behind me who can be the starter any day."
Neal McCready
Ole Miss quarterback Randall Mackey looks downfield in team drills Thursday. Mackey was 11-for-17 passing with three touchdowns in Thursday's work.
NUTT PLEASED WITH WORK: Nutt said junior college transfer defensive tackle Uriah Grant and Morris caught his eye repeatedly Thursday.
"Aaron doesn't know everything, but boy, he was really, really physical today," Nutt said. "It could happen at guard or tackle. I just don't know. He's a talented, talented guy. He's just got a long way to go mentally, but he's getting there. But as far as feet-wise and the physical stature, boy, he has it. He's going to be really good.
"We knew he was good, but the speed of the game on the fourth day, you just don't expect it. But he just keeps turning your head in one-on-ones and middle drill. Where a lot of freshmen fold back at the end when they're hot and tired, he just keeps pushing to the top. He's a special guy."
Nutt also singled out Moncrief, wide receiver Philander Moore, tight ends Ferbia Allen and Mosley and tailback Enrique Davis.
"We're excited," Nutt said. "We're not there by any means, but we're working at it."
NKEMDICHE CATCHING UP: Freshman safety Denzel Nkemdiche worked in shoulder pads Thursday as he catches up from a "depressing" weekend spent waiting for the NCAA Clearinghouse to rule on an online course he took in his junior year at Grayson (Ga.) High School.
Moncrief and a couple of the other freshmen were calling me and telling me they were getting after it," Nkemdiche said. "They wanted me to be here. Damien Jackson and Wayne Dorsey were telling me they wanted me and needed me to come back. It was tough."
Nkemdiche said he's been spending extra time in the film room and studying the playbook to make up for the four missed practices.
"I feel like I'm catching up a lot," Nkemdiche said. "So I'm just working and coming back and getting extra time with the coaches a lot."
REBEL RUMBLINGS: Linebacker Mike Marry (hamstring) dressed but was limited Thursday. Nutt said Marry should be ready in time to scrimmage Saturday at 6 p.m. ?Oxford (Lafayette), Miss., quarterback Jeremy Liggins was once again at Ole Miss' practice Thursday. ?Ole Miss will practice again Friday at 4:30 p.m.
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