Running back Darius Bradwell did not practice today, watching the latter part of the workout rrom a training able, and Willie Fritz said he definitely would not play against Memphis. Look for Bradwell to return next Saturday at Navy.
Malik Lawal got reps at rush end and linebacker today. Obviously Justin McMillan, Jalen McCleskey, Christian Montano and Ben Knutson have gotten the bulk of attention a key grad transfers, but Lawal, who played at Arizona State last year, is becoming very important in his own right. He's versatile and talented, and with Juan Monjarres unavailable for the rest of the year, his ability to rush the passer will be important.
Lawal is seventh on the team in tackles with 19 despite starting only one game, and he has a sack, the same number as Monjarrres. Look for him to register at least one more against Memphis. Monjarres wreaked havoc on Memphis in the second half last year at Yulman Stadium.
"He's doing a good job," Fritz said. "There are a lot of places we can play him at. He can play joker, he can play inside linebacker, he does some good things for us on special teams. He will help us. He's another guy that's an edge rusher. Juan did a very good job of that."
Jeffery Johnson likely will start at nose tackle this week after missing a game-and-a-half with an ankle injury. He worked with the first team today along with the usual suspects, and although he is 100 percent healthy, he is closer than he was last week.
The guys getting reps behind Cam Sample and Patrick Johnson on the outside were Davon Wright, another versatile player, and Lawal, along with Mike Hinton and Carlos Hatcher. Look for all of them to play Saturday. The Wave is more limited inside behind the starters, but Hinton, Eric Hicks and Wright shared the reps today. Alfred Thomas, who will be a game-time decision, had his helmet on but did not get any reps in the last 40 minutes.
Chase Kuerschen, who was held out of the UConn game to let him rest, took his norrmal reps with the first unit at free safety. He had a rough time matching up with Memphis's speed at the skill positions two yeas ago as a true freshman two years ago.
Tulane did an excellent job last year of getting to QB Brady White (seven sacks) and guarding against Memphis' heavy use of screen passes. Coach Mike Norvell runs screens a lot and more effectively than almost anyone in the country.
"You just have to have somebody responsible for the back who has got to attack and step on toes," Fritz said. "He can't sit there and wait and wade though all the linemen. You've got to go right now, and if you'e playing zone, you've got to do a good job of attacking with leverage. Somebody's got to be an inside player and somebody's got to be an outside player. You have to watch for those big time."
Fritz expects the unexpected from Norvell, a top offensive mind who surrounds himself with good assistants. His last three offensive coordinators left for Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Auburn after one year, and of course he had Will Hall on his staff last year.
"He's going to have some new stuff early in the game and you got to withstand the onslaught initially," Fritz said. "If he feels good about what he's running, he'll keep coming back to it. Some guys don't do that. He does a nice job of that."
Handling freshman running back Kenneth Gainwell is a concern, too. He is fifth in the country with 121 yards per game and has 25 receptions.
"He can do everything," Fritz said. "He's great in space, has a good feel for the game, catches the ball well."
Tight end Joey Magnifico averages 22 yards on his 12 catches, giving the Tigers the deep threat you don't often see at that spot.
"You have to cover him," Fritz said. "When they throw it his way, he makes a lot of stuff happen." They've got great, talented skill kids and they are really big on the offensive line, too. Both their tackles are about 6-8."
It should be a fun game. If Tulane can pressure White, who is not very mobile, the Wave will be in good shape. If he has time to throw, it could be nail-biting night.
Malik Lawal got reps at rush end and linebacker today. Obviously Justin McMillan, Jalen McCleskey, Christian Montano and Ben Knutson have gotten the bulk of attention a key grad transfers, but Lawal, who played at Arizona State last year, is becoming very important in his own right. He's versatile and talented, and with Juan Monjarres unavailable for the rest of the year, his ability to rush the passer will be important.
Lawal is seventh on the team in tackles with 19 despite starting only one game, and he has a sack, the same number as Monjarrres. Look for him to register at least one more against Memphis. Monjarres wreaked havoc on Memphis in the second half last year at Yulman Stadium.
"He's doing a good job," Fritz said. "There are a lot of places we can play him at. He can play joker, he can play inside linebacker, he does some good things for us on special teams. He will help us. He's another guy that's an edge rusher. Juan did a very good job of that."
Jeffery Johnson likely will start at nose tackle this week after missing a game-and-a-half with an ankle injury. He worked with the first team today along with the usual suspects, and although he is 100 percent healthy, he is closer than he was last week.
The guys getting reps behind Cam Sample and Patrick Johnson on the outside were Davon Wright, another versatile player, and Lawal, along with Mike Hinton and Carlos Hatcher. Look for all of them to play Saturday. The Wave is more limited inside behind the starters, but Hinton, Eric Hicks and Wright shared the reps today. Alfred Thomas, who will be a game-time decision, had his helmet on but did not get any reps in the last 40 minutes.
Chase Kuerschen, who was held out of the UConn game to let him rest, took his norrmal reps with the first unit at free safety. He had a rough time matching up with Memphis's speed at the skill positions two yeas ago as a true freshman two years ago.
Tulane did an excellent job last year of getting to QB Brady White (seven sacks) and guarding against Memphis' heavy use of screen passes. Coach Mike Norvell runs screens a lot and more effectively than almost anyone in the country.
"You just have to have somebody responsible for the back who has got to attack and step on toes," Fritz said. "He can't sit there and wait and wade though all the linemen. You've got to go right now, and if you'e playing zone, you've got to do a good job of attacking with leverage. Somebody's got to be an inside player and somebody's got to be an outside player. You have to watch for those big time."
Fritz expects the unexpected from Norvell, a top offensive mind who surrounds himself with good assistants. His last three offensive coordinators left for Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Auburn after one year, and of course he had Will Hall on his staff last year.
"He's going to have some new stuff early in the game and you got to withstand the onslaught initially," Fritz said. "If he feels good about what he's running, he'll keep coming back to it. Some guys don't do that. He does a nice job of that."
Handling freshman running back Kenneth Gainwell is a concern, too. He is fifth in the country with 121 yards per game and has 25 receptions.
"He can do everything," Fritz said. "He's great in space, has a good feel for the game, catches the ball well."
Tight end Joey Magnifico averages 22 yards on his 12 catches, giving the Tigers the deep threat you don't often see at that spot.
"You have to cover him," Fritz said. "When they throw it his way, he makes a lot of stuff happen." They've got great, talented skill kids and they are really big on the offensive line, too. Both their tackles are about 6-8."
It should be a fun game. If Tulane can pressure White, who is not very mobile, the Wave will be in good shape. If he has time to throw, it could be nail-biting night.