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Coach likes his young tackles
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer calls rookie tackles Pat Sims and Jason Shirley his puppies. He likes watching the talented tandem grow.
"They've got a long way to go, but the two young tackles are starting to get a little bit better," Zimmer said. "They're like Saint Bernards. You've got to get 'em going a little bit, you know?"
Where's Rudi and T.J.?
Tailback Rudi Johnson and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh are rehabbing sore hamstrings. The trainers are holding them out of practice so the injuries don't worsen.
"T.J.'s still got the sore leg," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "It's very much preventative (maintenance). We just want to make sure we don't rush him back out and put him in a situation where it turns into a long-term thing, which could affect opening day. So it's cautionary."
The same goes for Johnson.
"There's nothing really (serious), so don't make a big deal about it," Johnson said. "Nothing major. Just precautionary stuff."
Talking the talk
Strong safety Dexter Jackson spends a lot of time trash-talking with wide receiver Chad Johnson. Jackson sees it as a positive.
"Chad's a very competitive guy," Jackson said. "Myself and the DBs are also competitive guys. We just use that as an edge to ignite a fire while we're at practice to push us along and just make us get better. He's pushing us and we're pushing him."
Working overtime
After practice on Georgetown's upper field, quarterback Carson Palmer and tight end Ben Utecht worked overtime on the main arena — Toyota Stadium.
They're developing a strong bond.
"It's good to be with Carson one on one to ask him all the questions about the offense I need to ask him," Utecht said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
