Football Team Continues To Work Toward Opener
8/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 26, 2004
Coach Guy Morriss' Baylor football team battled the heat and the humidity during the Bears' workout Thursday afternoon on the grass practice fields at Floyd Casey Stadium. "At this particular point we are probably more mentally fried than anything," said Morriss after his squad's workout in shells. "I think we have some guys feeling a little sorry for themselves, but they probably have more gas in the tank, it's just a matter of fighting through it mentally. "But, a lot of it is probably boredom," he added. "How many weeks have we been out here running the same plays and seeing the same people. I know they are tired and they should be. What gets you is that you see a bunch of guys making the effort, flying around and trying to push hard and some guys just giving in. That's what I was frustrated about." The Bears will shorten their workouts the next two days in preparation for their Sept. 4 season-opener at UAB before settling into their game-week routine next Sunday. As it did last year, the team will hold a = light workout on Sunday, take Monday off, then practice Tuesday through Thursday before holding a walk-through the day prior to the game. While Baylor hasn't settled on a starting quarterback for its season-opener, it appears the offensive line is beginning to take shape with senior Quintin Outland and sophomore Chad Smith as the first-team tackles, junior Lequalan McDonald and redshirt freshman Chris Evans starting at the guard spots and senior Joseph DeWoody listed first at center. "I think we are better than we were last year at this point, even without those (injured) guys," said Morriss of his offensive line. "The guys that played last year have pushed themselves to get better and they are more comfortable. I just feel better about them as a group." Practice Notes: Morriss indicated that he probably would name a starting quarterback within the next couple of days, possibly as early as Friday. Junior Dane King and sophomore Shawn Bell have been battling for the top spot since spring practice began back in March ... Thirteen players missed Thursday's workout with injuries including Julian Hill (shoulder), M.T. Robinson (knee), Paul Howard (hamstring), Tyler Lindstrom (broken hand), Josh Bell (knee), Shaun Rochon (sore back), Glen Oskin (knee), Brandon Whitaker (knee), Will Blaylock (knee), Michael Gary (neck), Desmond Jenkins (shoulder), Michael Sambrooks (hamstring) and Aaron Bobo (ankle) ... Morriss and assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Wesley McGriff were two of three featured speakers at the Waco Chamber of Commerce's 2004 Kick-Off Luncheon. A record crowd of more than 1,100 attended the 16th annual affair ... Baylor will return to work on Friday with a 90-minute workout beginning at 2:30 p.m.
