SU line still work in progress

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

The mixing and matching along the Southern offensive line continued Monday.

Junior defensive tackle Frank Harry put on a blue shirt — denoting an offensive player — and worked as a guard.

“We moved him over just to get a feel of it,” Richardson said. “(Today), he may come back on defense. Just enough. He’s one of the ones we’re planning on moving back and forth if it gets down to that, at least to have an idea of what he can do.”

What’s significant is Harry is coming from a unit — the defensive line — that doesn’t have much depth either.

As for that defensive line, Harry and true freshman Calvin Cunningham are the only true backup tackles, without moving sophomore Wesley King inside from end. And Monday, Harry was over with the offense, while Cunningham, out with a shoulder injury, didn’t dress.

“It’s going to be a slow process,” Richardson said of Cunningham. “Hopefully, he won’t have to get operated on.”

Meanwhile, SU finished Monday’s practice with nine offensive linemen, including Harry.

With Harry on offense and Cunningham out, the defensive line has just eight players on the roster.

Both units have been hurt by attrition since the spring.

Who was out along the offensive line Monday?

Redshirt freshman guard Joshua Keelen may not be eligible and continues to be held out. Sophomore center Ramon Chinyoung did not practice as he completed some “paperwork,” Richardson said. That left sophomore Daniel Stephens, who did not play last season, working as the No. 1 center, with senior Demarcus Stewart sliding over from guard.

Senior left tackle Trent Thomas, being converted from tight end this camp, had class and could not practice Monday. And sophomore tackle Allen Buckner continues to not even come to practice as he deals with heat issues. Monday, Richardson raised the possibility Buckner may not be back this season.

“He’s going to be out,” Richardson said. “It’s a situation we have to deal with. I’ll know in the next few days.”

At least true freshman guard Brian Bridges, who has yet to be OK’d by the NCAA Clearinghouse, continued to practice. As it was, he wasn’t expected to go Monday, and he could be pulled soon, pending the paperwork.

WR Roberts should be fine

Junior wide receiver Del Roberts suffered the only injury from Saturday’s 71-play scrimmage, but the injury is just a bruise, Richardson said.

Roberts ran a few routes Monday and showed no ill effects.

“He probably could have went, but we’ll hold him out for the next two or three days,” Richardson said. “They may have his pads on (today). It wasn’t as severe as it looked. He’s running about three-quarters.”

Photo: SU Defensive Line Coach David Geralds
























Roberts was second on the team in catches (28) and yards (260) and had one touchdown last season. He also returned 10 punts for 70 yards.

Two other veteran receivers also did not practice Monday.

Senior WR Gerard Landry will have oral surgery today, while senior WR A.J. Turner (pull) remains out.

“We want to give those (Turner and Roberts) off the next couple days and bring them back slow, get them back to full tilt and get the timing down with the quarterbacks,” Richardson said.

Byrd may miss season

Richardson said junior quarterback C.J. Byrd, who was involved in a car accident late last month, might miss the season.

Byrd has yet to dress in football gear for camp.

“He probably will be gone for the year,” Richardson said. “We may have to get a medical (redshirt) on him, because there’s a probability he may have to (have the knee) scoped.”

Byrd threw for 389 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions and ran for 155 yards and four TDs last season. He started four games, the first choice after J.C. Lewis went out with concussion problems.

Monday, Monday

This was the first Monday the Jaguars had classes and practices, and as has been the case the last few years, many players were unable to attend practice because of classes.

“I don’t know if we may have to move practice to 6 o’clock,” Richardson said.

Lately, SU has practiced on Sundays and used Mondays as its day off. On Mondays, coaches would break down the next opponent’s latest game film and incorporate that knowledge into the Tuesday practice script.

Notes

Richardson said true freshman DEs Ted Jones and Dexter James were “coming along fine.” Sophomore K Willie Joseph (hamstring) missed his second straight practice. Southern worked out in shoulder pads and helmets Monday.