Sunday, August 12, 2007

FAMU Edwards puts on pads, goes hard

Photo: Andre Jacobs #37, 5-11/215, Ocala, FL (right photo)


Photo: Anthony Edwards, #36 RB, 5-11/212, Atlanta, GA (left photo)

BY HEATH A. SMITH, FLORIDA TODAY

It was a good news, bad news for Florida A&M's backfield Saturday.

The good news came in the form of senior running back Anthony Edwards' full participation in Saturday's morning practice.

Edwards, a 2007 All-MEAC second-team selection, sat out the first two days of preseason camp waiting to be medically cleared, then had to go through the mandatory acclimation period before being allowed to put on the pads with the rest of his teammates Saturday.

The team's leader in rushing yards (482) and rushing touchdowns (five) in 2006, Edwards didn't take long to show the bruising style that he became known for last season by bowling over one of his teammates on a play Saturday.

"It was good to be out there finally instead of just being on the sidelines," Edwards said. "I'm just happy to be able to participate with my teammates.

"I was just naturally running hard. I was trying to split the two defenders and I ended up running him over."

Edwards' return was tempered by the departure of redshirt-freshman Andre Jacobs with a possible knee injury. Jacobs had been working with the first unit while Edwards and sophomore Demitric Henry (hamstring) were out of practice.

Jacobs had a positive spring and, like Edwards, brings size to the backfield. As for Henry, he said it could be another four or five days before he is able to return to practice.

Henry emerged as walk-on true freshman last season, rushing for 414 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. Henry's 5.9 yards per carry and 46 rushing yards per game led the team.

"It's good to have Anthony back," Carter said. "He's an integral part of what we do within our offense. He runs vertically up the field and finds the holes between the tackles. It's great to see him out here in the mix and getting his timing right."

Lee improving.

The transition from high school to college has been far from easy for freshman quarterback Tobias Lee.

After a week of practice, however, Lee started to show signs Saturday of the athleticism and arm that caught the coaches' attention.

Lee looked more relaxed in the pocket during Saturday's morning practice and made a couple of nifty passes for completions on the run. "He's looking a little better," Carter said. "He's been a little hesitant trying to find his key reads quicker. He's deciphering a whole lot of information right now. It's always tough on a young quarterback, but he's developing at a good pace."

Lee said he's starting to get more comfortable with things with the help of offensive coordinator Bob Cole but acknowledges he still has a long way to go before being ready to lead the offense in a game.

"I'm getting better," Lee said. "Me and coach are sitting down going over the routes and plays. I'm learning to read my coverages better and trying to just become a better player.

"The game speed is different and now you have a variety of coverages being thrown at you instead of just one, two or three in high school."

Upcoming schedule.

There is no practice today. The team reports for morning practice Monday at 8:45 and will continue to have morning practices through Friday.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the team is also scheduled to have afternoon practices starting at 3:45. Saturday, the team is having its first scrimmage of the season at 2:30 p.m.

Fan Day will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Gaither Gymnasium. Admission is free to the public.

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