Josh Nesbitt don't need....

no stinkin' spring practice. After all, how can one simulate 4th & 1 in overtime with the game on the line? Or ripping the ball from the clutches of poor, unsuspecting linebackers? We wouldn't want any of our linebackers getting hurt this spring, would we? Rumor has it that Nesbitt contemplated sawing the ankle off himself when it began bothering him but was persuaded by the coaching staff to simply have minor surgery to repair the joint. In fact, when told he would miss spring practice, Nesbitt seemed unfazed....

What you lookin' at, fool....?

Okay, so Josh is going to miss spring ball. This is actually not the worst thing that could happen to us. In fact it may prove to be beneficial. Sure we'd love to have him out there. But having him healthy in the Fall is the biggest priority. There's no quarterback controversy on this team. Nesbitt is the clear leader. But he will be a senior. One of our biggest questions is who will replace Josh in 2011? Well, we're going to find out who has the early advantage this spring. While it's great to have Jaybo Shaw as a very competent #2 QB, we don't see him as the answer in 2011. So this spring will be tremendously important for redshirt freshmen QB's Jordan Luallen & David Sims as far as development is concerned. Both will have a great opportunity to improve their game & gain a better grasp of the offense while getting lots of reps with Josh out. If anything, this makes spring practice even more compelling to us (as if installing a new defense didn't have our attention).

As far as Josh improving his game, we all know the passing element needs work; particularly progressions & reading defenses. Missing spring ball is not ideal. But it's not the end of the world. Fall camp is far more important. He'll not only have a chance to improve his reads but to also develop chemistry & timing with his receivers, something that likely would be lost between spring & fall practice. So we'll be keenly interested in watching our young QB's develop this spring......

According to the AJC's Doug Roberson, B-back Preston Lyons will miss spring ball also. Again, not ideal, but Lyons has been running this offense since like 7th grade at Marist. He'll be fine. On a positive note, big tackle Phil Smith is off crutches after breaking his ankle in the ACC championship game & appears ready for spring practice. Great news & we're glad to get big #61 back.....