HOUSTON, Texas -- The Texas Southern Tigers football team is back in action. They kicked off practice for the 2013 season today at TSU's Alexander Durley field. The coaches and players were eager to get in some work despite the near 100 degree temperature."The heat was not a factor for us because everyone was so anxious to practice," said head coach Darrell Asberry. "We missed spring ball because of our NCAA situation so this is the first time we are getting some work done. It felt really good to get out of the office and work with these young men."
The players were fired up to get on the field as well. "We started a little sloppy because the guys were trying too hard to make plays," Asberry said. "But they got into a groove once they calmed down and focused on what we were asking them to do."
The Tigers have nine quarterbacks in camp looking for a shot at the starting position. Transfer Homer Causey, redshirt junior Jamal Small and Earnest Carrington took most of the reps today. Coach Asberry said he was pleased with what he saw. The freshmen quarterbacks will get a shot on Wednesday. Right now the job is up for grabs, but coach Asberry says he is looking for someone who can take care of the bottom line. "I need a leader," said Asberry. "I'm looking for the guy who the team will rally around and who can take a game over and win two or three games himself."
The wide receivers are a strong point on this team. They got speed and the players showed it today. The running backs looked good as well and the offensive line is coming along now that they have a little depth.
The biggest change and question mark for the Tigers is on defense. The team is learning a new system under first year defensive coordinator Mike Vite. Coach Vite has more 30 years of coaching experience and he wasted no time letting the guys know that his expectations are high.
"We got some talent and the kids are listening," said Vite. "They are enthusiastic and flying around. The defensive line knows that everything starts up front. They are the nail in the coffin for us. Our goal is to get better every day."
The Tigers practice once each day until August 12th when two-a-days begin. They have a scrimmage on August 17th at 7:00pm.
TSU's first game of the season is August 31st against Prairie View A&M in the Labor Day Classic. This will be the first time the Tigers host the game in their new home…the BBVA Compass Stadium.
First Practice Photo Gallery
By Rodney Bush TSU Sports Information Director
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
TSUBALL.COM
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