The Monday practice was open to reporters today with the short week, and one way they took the work load off the players was to have them take off their shoulder pads midway through the workout when they got to scout-team work. Jon Sumrall is very conscientious about keeping his guys as fresh as possible, looking for the perfect balance between preparation and physical recovery.
Patrick Jenkins was back out there, and it goes without saying his return will be invaluable. Matthew Fobbs-White had the only sack against North Texas, and the Wave's five tackles for loss were its fewest in four AAC games. I think Kam Hamilton has been more effective outside than inside this year, and this will allow him to move back to end with a starting unit of him, Eric Hicks, Jenkins and Fobbs-White, with Adin Huntington factoring in heavily at bandit, too, and Gerrod Henderson spelling Hamilton at end. Tulane's depth up front will be very helpful against a Charlotte team that is coming off a frustrating last-minute loss to Memphis. Fobbs-White, who did not have a tackle other than his huge strip sack against North Texas, is going to be a heck of a player. He made a nice interception about 15 yards down the field against the scout team today.
Linebacker Makai Williams, who has not played much other than on special teams this year, was getting reps today as the fifth linebacker in the rotation. Charlotte has not passed more than 23 times in a game since freshman DeShawn Purdle became the starter, and I'm guessing Tulane feels its linebackers are going to be heavily involved. Purdle is not a running threat at all, but he has a strong (though inaccurate) arm. Tulane should win this game comfortably if the players have their heads in the right place.
Sumrall, Tyler Grubbs and Alex Bauman spoke to me after practice:
SUMRALL
On playing two road games in six days:
"You play the hand you're dealt, so I don't really worry too much about it. Is it unique to play road and road with a short week? Sure. I haven't dealt with that much, but for us, it's about making sure we're as mentally prepared and as physically prepared as we can be to play our best. Today was kind of a Tuesday and a Wednesday combined. Tomorrow is a Thursday, Wednesday is a Friday and then Thursday is our Saturday, so you lose a couple of days on the calendar. Yesterday had to be a Monday for us. You're sped up a little, and you just have to plan accordingly and make sure we get ourselves an opportunity to be prepared to go play our best."
On his stressing toughness as a team mantra:
"First off, I'd say toughness is a talent. We talk about it all the time. It's one of our four core values. It was probably my biggest fear about this team back in spring practice. I was concerned were we as tough as we needed to be. I feel like we have grown in that area as much as any. I'm such a believer that toughness travels. Tough teams find a way to win. Tough teams don't back down. I talk a lot about being smart tough, not dumb tough. I'm not interested in maybe beating our chests. It's just being mentally resilient and fighting through adversity and never backing down. I think our guys have practiced that way. They've really embraced that core value as much as any in this training camp through the year."
On coaching toughness:
"You just embody it every day. I'm a firm believer that players are going to emulate some of the actions that coaches have. The old adage that if you prepare, practice and train soft, you'll play soft. If you prepare, practice and train hard, you can play tough. You don't ever rise to the occasion. You follow the level of your training, so how are you trained? We try to train tough, and I think our guys embrace that."
On Tyler Grubbs showing toughness after hurting his knee three days before the USF game:
"He's the embodiment of it. When your best players and your leaders take on that trait, other guys follow it. In particular our inside linebacker room with Grubbs and Sam (Howard), two tough guys that play the game hard and play the game the right way, guys follow that. Makhi Hughes is a really tough dude on our offense, and he happens to be a really good player. Well, guys follow that, so when your best players are also your toughest guys it makes a really good combination for your team."
On Alex Bauman's importance to the offense:
"Ridiculous. Yeah. He's one of those unsung guys who's just so consistent and steady. He's very detailed. He's a great pass catcher. Everybody recognizes that. He's a better blocker than people realize. He understands angles and leverage. He's tough. He had a hit where we all were like, oh goodness, and then he's back in a couple of games. He brings so much to the table for our offense that makes us more multiple."
