Scouting the Blazers: Part Two

The Running Backs

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State football team wrapped up its first full week of preseason practice Friday with a single session that ended a "grueling" week according to head coach David Dean.

"I feel we have made some good progress towards where we need to be for the upcoming season," said Dean after Friday's practice. "It has been a grueling week with the heat and the two-a-day practices. The coaching staff and I haven't always been thrilled with what we have seen out of our team, but overall they have practiced hard and made some improvements."

Friday marked the fourth straight day in which the Blazers had practiced in temperatures that exceeded 95 degrees. Two of the days, Tuesday and Thursday, saw VSU hold a pair of practices as the coaching staff prepared the team mentally and physically for the year ahead.

The hard work will pay off Saturday morning as Valdosta State holds its first preseason scrimmage of the year. The Blazers will take to the Reames Field surface at 9:00 a.m. Saturday for a short head-to-head session before having Sunday off.

SCOUTING THE BLAZERS: THE WIDE RECEIVERS

As the deepest position on the Valdosta State squad, the Blazer receiving corps aims for another good season in the coming months. After all, the Blazers add an abundance of young talent to a position which returns four of the top five receivers from 2006. Overall, the returning receiving corps accounted for 178 catches, 2,139 yards and 25 touchdowns last year.

"The receivers are probably our deepest position on the team," says head coach David Dean. "I have been very pleased with how they have looked as a group in camp thus far. We have probably the most talented group that we have ever had, but at the same time they are the hardest working group we have ever had."

Of course, any discussion concerning the receiving corps begins with 2006 Gulf South Conference Freshman-of-the-Year Cedric Jones. Jones caught 91 passes and eight touchdowns while accounting for 911 yards last season as he became just the third Blazer to earn GSC rookie honors.

"Cedric looks quicker this season," added Dean. "He has a better understanding of our offense and is making quicker reads. I actually think one thing that is going to help him is that he has so much talent around him. He will draw lots of attention which will help the other receivers out, but once they show what they can do, it will also free him up."

While Jones may be the centerpiece of the offense, five seniors provide a great deal of knowledge and leadership to the group.

"Jeffrey Felton (26 catches, 321 yards, 1 touchdown) is a very intelligent player," the Blazer head coach continued. "He provides great leadership for our guys and is always encouraging. He has shown the ability to be a force in our offense and should have a great year.

"Meanwhile, Derek Tharpe (36 catches, 464 yards, 10 touchdowns) has improved every year that he has been in our uniform. He has improved his blocking and has a knack for finding the end zone."

While Tharpe and Felton are the two more heralded seniors, Dean goes on to point out that the remaining three will also be stalwarts this season.

"Zach Parker (25 catches, 193 yards, 4 touchdowns) does just a great job at his position," he pointed out. "He teaches our young guys what it takes to be successful. He is not the fastest player, but he understands his role and is really made for our offense.

"We have moved Clay Callaway (1 catch, eight yards) to wide receiver full-time this season and he has responded really well. He worked hard over the summer and came into camp in great shape. He is a lot more physical and that is going to help him.

"Finally, Travis Taylor (4 catches, 28 yards, 1 touchdown) is back and healthy. He missed a lot with a leg injury last season, but has worked hard to get back into shape and is having a good camp."

While the returning receivers will see a lot of time, they will in no way preclude Dean's new receivers from taking the field. The first-year head man points to R.J. Bastone as being the biggest surprise of preseason camp while Eric Sledge is VSU's most improved receivers since the spring camp.

"Bastone has natural instincts and great hands. He has good control over his body and can take a hit," he concluded. "Meanwhile, Sledge has improved greatly since the spring. He has come back much stronger and much faster. The spring helped him pick up our offense and he looks a lot more comfortable out there so far in camp.

"Josh Rayam adds athletically ability and quickness to the mix while P.J. Curbeam and Cedrick Evans have shown that they have the knowledge to take the field at any position. Meanwhile, Jackson Dean is a very solid player who is fighting his way into the mix. He has two talented seniors in front of him, but that doesn't mean he isn't going to see some time this season if he keeps improving."

VSU PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 11 - 9:00 a.m. - Scrimmage

Monday, August 13 - 3:00 p.m. - Classes begin, Regular Season practice schedule begins
Saturday, August 18 - 9:00 a.m. - Scrimmage
Saturday, August 25 - 9:00 a.m. - Meet the Blazers Day, Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
Saturday, September 1 - 7:00 p.m. - Valdosta State vs. Albany State, Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
*Practice time will change to 8:30 a.m. if bad weather is expected during the afternoon

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