Aug. 13, 2008

MEMPHIS, TENN. - The Tiger football team had their second two-a-day session of fall camp Wednesday, working out at 5:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Murphy Athletic Complex.

The squad came out in shorts and shells in the morning session and was treated to cool temperatures. A fog remained throughout the early morning but by 8 a.m., the sun was out and the temperature began to climb.

West put his group through light game action towards the end of practice and the Tigers spent 30 minutes working on special teams play to end the session. Darius Davis was held out of action with a slight knee injury, and Carlton Robinzine remained sidelined with a hamstring pull. Greg Ray and T.J. Pitts both continued to work with the strength and conditioning staff.

The afternoon session was more intense with the Tigers in full gear, including Duke Calhoun, who was held out of contact work on Tuesday. The team opened with field goal work and then went into position drills. The end of practice saw a mixture of special teams work as well as some full contact scrimmage action.

A few highlights from some of the scrimmage action included a 28-yard run by Curtis Steele and a 50-yard pass completion from Will Hudgens to Steven Joachim. Hudgens also had a 12-yard pass to Maurice Jones, and Arkelon Hall connected with Cam Baker for a 15-yard completion.

"I am really kind of disappointed right now because it seems we have some guys who have some tweaks about them that are not practicing," said coach Tommy West. "I am a little disappointed in some of their mental toughness right now. I know who is working their tail off right now. Like our running backs, we are working three backs right now and they are working their tails off going on special teams.

"We have to get everybody out here pulling their load," added West. "It is too easy just to not practice right now. I want people to be out here fighting for jobs. The guys who are out here are the ones who are going to play in the opening game."

The squad will work out once on Thursday morning at the Murphy Complex, and will have a full scrimmage on Friday evening at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

"I want to see a little more intensity from both sides at the scrimmage on Friday," West said. "I thought Monday we had decent intensity from the defense but I want to see them chase the ball, and I want to see the offense come off the ball and get after it a little bit better than what we have been doing. I am not concerned about throwing and catching. That will be there. I want to see us get after it a bit in the run game and I want to see our defense chase the ball."

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