By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Quarterback Albert Chester dropped back and let loose a short pass to tight end Taj Jenkines. Just as he caught the ball, a herd of defensive players were in his chest.
Defensive back Ernest Williams led the pack, staggering Jenkines. He didn’t return to Friday’s drills on FAMU’s practice field, leaving with a sting in his right shoulder.
“I’m done,” he said, as trainers applied an ice pack to his shoulder. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
The defense was relentless all morning as the Rattlers worked out in full pads for the first time since practice started Monday. All morning, players grappled with each other, but no hit was as devastating as the one on Jenkines.
“I haven’t been hit like that in a long time,” said Jenkines, who curled up on the field at the end of a long run on his catch. “I haven’t had a hit like that since I was in Pop Warner.”
Despite the up-tempo pace by the offense and defense, there were no significant fallout from the morning humidity.
“We’re in decent shape,” coach Rubin Carter said. “Not great shape, but, of course, you have to get in game condition. For the most part, I think we moved around pretty well. I believe our kids are focused on what we really need to do to have a special year.”
And the fireworks by the defense?
“That’s the way we’re supposed to practice and our kids understand that,” Carter said. “They know the standard: They come out and go at a fast pace.”
The demonstration by the defensive unit could be an indication that the replacements for the nine players the Rattlers lost two seasons ago on defense have finally found their niche. What they showed Friday was a just of glimpse of what’s to come, Williams said.
“We’re trying to be number one in our conference and get into the playoff this year and turn this program around,” Williams said. “All year we have been fast and physical so that’s how it’s going to be all season.”
The aggression brought continuous warning from senior wide receiver Willie Hayward. Although he managed to elude most of the tackles, he was heard clear across the field.
“You all can’t run with me,” he said. “Anybody who plays me man-to-man is going to get beat.”
Noteworthy
Junior college transfer Kalum Harris was the only noticeable casualty of the heat. The junior running back sat out most of the morning after getting a nose bleed.
“I thought it was sweat,” he said, with a cotton swap in his right nostril to stem the flow of blood.
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