Wednesday Practice Brief

Aug. 7, 2003

For the second straight day, weather had an effect on Clemson’s football practice plans. But, that did not keep Tommy Bowden’s Tigers from getting in a full three-hour practice by the end of the day.

It was a long day for the Tigers, many of whom had final exams earlier in the day, tests that concluded the second session of summer school. As a result, practice was moved to a 6:40 PM start, just in time for a steady rain shower.

“We have had a five-year drought, it seems we are making up for it all at once,” said Bowden after practice. It rained for most of the first hour of practice and there was a drizzle for much of the night. Still the Tigers got a lot done in their second practice in shorts and helmets.

“We had a good practice. Charlie Whitehurst threw the ball very well and it looks like we will have some depth at running back. Kyle Browning, Reggie Merriweather and Duane Coleman all ran the ball well.

“We will continue to look at the freshmen at the positions they were recruited to play. We will evaluate in a few days. We need depth at cornerback, roverback, tight end and linebacker. The young players will have a chance to contribute at those positions.

The Tigers will be back at practice at 3:15 PM on Thursday. With the conclusion of summer school and the regular academic year not starting until August 20, Bowden now has some flexibility with his schedule. “We will be able to be flexible now if the weather is bad because we won’t have classes and tests to worry about for the rest of camp. If it rains we can move up a segment meeting.”