March 24, 2012

Video

OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze was pleased with his team’s progress in the second practice of 2012 spring drills Saturday on the practice fields.

In the final day before putting on pads, the Rebels trained for close to two and a half hours in beautiful weather conditions, and the first-year head coach noted the improved play of the wide receivers, particularly juniors Terrell Grant and Ja-Mes Logan.

“I went in the meetings with (receivers) Coach (Grant) Heard last night and again this morning and challenged those players that we have to get things corrected from day one to day two,” said Freeze. “I really thought they improved. They had a little swagger to them today. We completed some long balls, which helps with that.”

Meanwhile, the offensive line is battling to handle the multiple looks the new Ole Miss defense is throwing at them.

“We’re swimming a little bit up front right now with all of the things that (Defensive Coordinator) Dave (Wommack) and his crew are showing us,” Freeze said. “It’s not the easiest thing for the offensive line to come out in a new system, hear what’s going on, snap it in a hurry and handle all of that. Coach (Matt) Luke wants perfection, and he is the right guy to get that. But I understand that that is probably going to be the last thing that comes.”

Among the experienced returnees on the line is Aaron Morris, who started five games as a true freshman at left guard in the fall and has worked out at tackle the first two days of spring.

“On last night’s film, I thought he showed some athleticism,” said Freeze. “It’s an uphill battle for these offensive linemen with no pads on, but I really thought that he, Pierce Burton and A.J. Hawkins showed a lot of athleticism yesterday. I’m pretty pleased with those three.”

The Rebels hold their third of 15 spring workouts Sunday and first with the players wearing pads. The practice is closed to the public.

Ole Miss’ spring drills will culminate with the annual BancorpSouth Grove Bowl, slated for Saturday, April 21 at 1 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. CSS will televise the intra-squad scrimmage live.

Other events of Grove Bowl Week are the Rebels’ Choice Awards on Monday, April 16; the Chucky Mullins Award Banquet Banquet on Thursday, April 19; a free concert in The Grove with Gavin DeGraw and special guest Craig Morgan on Friday, April 20 and a weekend baseball series against Arkansas.