March 12, 2001

Although Samford officially began its spring practice last Wednesday, the Bulldog players and coaches used a few days last week to slowly work back into the football grind without any work in pads.

Samford will go through its usual Monday routine of scheduled workouts, then get to work in pads on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. on the practice field.

One point of emphasis for the Bulldogs heading into spring will be to improve the passing game from a year ago. Returning behind center is junior signal-caller Josh Kellett, but much of his supporting cast from a year ago is gone. Samford graduated nine players from last year's run-oriented offensive unit that rushed for 2,229 yards and 18 touchdowns and passed for 1,062 yards but only six touchdowns. Samford will have five new starters on the offensive line for the first time in four years, and two new starters in the offensive backfield with Kellett.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to practice every day this week through Saturday, then follow the same schedule next week and practice through Friday, March 23, when Spring Break begins for Samford students.