Blacknbengal
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Calhoun high on defensive line
New Alabama A&M defensive line coach Cedric Calhoun has high expectations for his group.
Aided by the return of preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive end Robert Mathis, Calhoun believes A&M's defensive line won't play second fiddle to anybody in the league.
''We should be the best defensive line in the SWAC,'' Calhoun said Wednesday.
That's a pretty bold statement from a guy with only one legitimate star and a host of unproven players.
Still, with as many as 10 players to rotate among the four positions, Calhoun is excited about what his group can do.
''I'm looking forward to seeing how we're going to play,'' he said. ''The competition has been great in practice. If they compete and have the right attitude, we should be fine. If everybody plays at their highest level, that should make us strong as a unit.
''The important thing is we have some depth. We're going to keep fresh bodies in the game. Our second group is pushing our first group so when we put them in the game there shouldn't be too much change.''
Cole working on eligibility: Offensive lineman Robert Cole missed practice for the second straight day Wednesday trying to tie up some loose ends concerning his eligibility.
A&M coach Anthony Jones said Cole was taking a test that he hoped would help resolve the matter.
''He's doing what he has to do,'' Jones said. ''It doesn't involve me. There's nothing I can do but pray and encourage him and we've been doing that since we've been here.''
Offensive lineman Ben Moore, who is also on the bubble in terms of his eligibility, was back at practice Wednesday after missing Tuesday's session.
''We think he's straight, but until we get the final . . .,'' Jones said. ''That is not my area and I'm not going to pretend that it is. I'm just hopeful that both of them are eligible and can help our football team.''
Cole and Moore are being counted on to provide stability to a unit that doesn't have a dominant player.
Painful first day in pads: A handful of players came away with injuries following Wednesday's first day in pads.
Freshman quarterback Johnny Keith suffered a slight concussion after taking a lick from inside linebacker Lionel Macklin, trainer Eddie Benion said. Keith sat out the final 30 minutes of practice with a bag of ice on his head.
Also injured were wide receiver Neal Lindsey (ankle), offensive lineman Robert Louis (left knee) and linebacker Walter Heron (groin).
Defensive back Thad Cribbs, a transfer from Southern Miss, sat out Wednesday's morning practice with a wrist injury, but worked some during the afternoon session. Defensive lineman Deandre Washington sat out both practices with a back injury.
Reggie Benson
New Alabama A&M defensive line coach Cedric Calhoun has high expectations for his group.
Aided by the return of preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive end Robert Mathis, Calhoun believes A&M's defensive line won't play second fiddle to anybody in the league.
''We should be the best defensive line in the SWAC,'' Calhoun said Wednesday.
That's a pretty bold statement from a guy with only one legitimate star and a host of unproven players.
Still, with as many as 10 players to rotate among the four positions, Calhoun is excited about what his group can do.
''I'm looking forward to seeing how we're going to play,'' he said. ''The competition has been great in practice. If they compete and have the right attitude, we should be fine. If everybody plays at their highest level, that should make us strong as a unit.
''The important thing is we have some depth. We're going to keep fresh bodies in the game. Our second group is pushing our first group so when we put them in the game there shouldn't be too much change.''
Cole working on eligibility: Offensive lineman Robert Cole missed practice for the second straight day Wednesday trying to tie up some loose ends concerning his eligibility.
A&M coach Anthony Jones said Cole was taking a test that he hoped would help resolve the matter.
''He's doing what he has to do,'' Jones said. ''It doesn't involve me. There's nothing I can do but pray and encourage him and we've been doing that since we've been here.''
Offensive lineman Ben Moore, who is also on the bubble in terms of his eligibility, was back at practice Wednesday after missing Tuesday's session.
''We think he's straight, but until we get the final . . .,'' Jones said. ''That is not my area and I'm not going to pretend that it is. I'm just hopeful that both of them are eligible and can help our football team.''
Cole and Moore are being counted on to provide stability to a unit that doesn't have a dominant player.
Painful first day in pads: A handful of players came away with injuries following Wednesday's first day in pads.
Freshman quarterback Johnny Keith suffered a slight concussion after taking a lick from inside linebacker Lionel Macklin, trainer Eddie Benion said. Keith sat out the final 30 minutes of practice with a bag of ice on his head.
Also injured were wide receiver Neal Lindsey (ankle), offensive lineman Robert Louis (left knee) and linebacker Walter Heron (groin).
Defensive back Thad Cribbs, a transfer from Southern Miss, sat out Wednesday's morning practice with a wrist injury, but worked some during the afternoon session. Defensive lineman Deandre Washington sat out both practices with a back injury.
Reggie Benson