Video: Stadium steps before dawn

Vanderbilt concluded their offseason conditioning preparations Friday under the direction of John Sisk and his strength assistants. Watch the video below to see what your Commodores were doing while you were asleep.

(click to enlarge video)

Video: John Cole summer interview

By Leathers

VUcommodores.com caught up with Vanderbilt sophomore wide receiver John Cole before summer conditioning at the John Rich Practice Complex on Monday. See video below.

Coach Mac Benefit Tonight in Green Hills

by Leathers

Got plans this evening before settling in front of the tube to watch the Vanderbilt-LSU baseball game?

If your looking an outing that combines Vanderbilt personalities (namely Bobby Johnson) with a great cause (George MacIntyre Flood Relief Fund), then drop by GreenBank in Green Hills (4205 Hillsboro Road) for an open house aimed at raising money for the Coach Mac relief fund.

Sponsored by former VU coach Fred Pancoast/Pancoast & Associates, the open house is from 5-7 pm. Coach Johnson should be there when it starts.

Members of the MacIntyre family will attend to thank the Nashville community for its incredible outpouring of support shown since the recent floods devastated their Bellevue home.

For info, call Pancoast & Associates @ 292-3400 or GreenBank @ 383-3809.

Hamilton Livin' A Dream

by Leathers

Former 'Dore captain Ryan Hamilton has just started livin' a dream. Just days after getting waived by the Saints, the former safety signed Wednesday as a rookie free agent with the Eagles (check here for more).

For Hamilton, a product of Wycombe, Pa., and a huge fan of all Philly pro franchises, nothing ranks higher than a chance to wear the Eagle colors.

The good fortune couldn't happen to a more deserving guy, a player that entered the '09 campaign with All-SEC expectations only to miss the final 10 games after tearing a pectoral muscle at LSU.

Without doubt, the Eagles will get the very best Hamilton has to give.

Chavous adds expertise to draft coverage

by Leathers (Photo by NFL.com)

If NFL Network’s draft coverage tops that of rival ESPN, they can thank former Commodore standout Corey Chavous for the success. For two full days, Chavous demonstrated an array of in-depth knowledge on the NFL Network. Even as the proceedings were coming to a close, Chavous was pinpointing strengths and weaknesses of every seventh round pick. He even talked about a handful of promising guys that went undrafted.

Even during his pro career, Chavous was a connoisseur of the NFL Draft, specializing in his own player analysis. For the last year, Chavous has been traveling to college campuses, getting a upclose look at hundreds of prospects for his own draft-oriented website, www.draftnasty.com.

The effort sure paid off last weekend.

Autographs, posters available at scrimmage

By Leathers

Young fans can meet their favorite Commodore football players – and get a few autographs – after the Black & Gold Scrimmage ends Saturday.

Fans can receive free 2010 football posters, schedule cards and roster cards at Gate 2 prior to the scrimmage, then come down to the playing surface afterward to get autographs from the team.

Vanderbilt Stadium gates open at 9:30 a.m. The scrimmage starts at 10:30 a.m. Click here to read more about the event.

Marve to miss scrimmage; Facing shoulder procedure next week

By Leathers

Commodore linebacker Chris Marve, the SEC's top tackler from a year ago, will miss the Black & Gold Scrimmage Saturday and undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday to fix a lingering shoulder injury.

Marve, an All-SEC pick last year and two-year Commodore starter, has missed four straight spring practices after re-injuring the shoulder on April 2.

Marve should return fully healthy for summer workouts.

Fullam, Wimberly Wear Gold Jerseys Friday

by leathers

Redshirt freshman Jay Fullam and redshirt senior Turner Wimberly donned gold jerseys at the Friday session in recognition of their practice effort Tuesday night.

Fullam, from Chattanooga, has been been one of the Commodores' most impressive defenders through two weeks of spring practice. The McCallie grad is competing for the starting safety role left vacant by the graduation of '09 co-captain Ryan Hamilton.

Wimberly, from Austin, Texas, was rewarded after a solid practice that included a diving reception over the middle in heavy traffic good for a first down.

Former Commodore and current Tennessee Titans' DT Jovan Haye also watched much of the Friday practice.

The Commodores will conclude their third week of spring drills Saturday with a closed scrimmage in Vanderbilt Stadium.

More football photos

by Barca Blog

Here are a couple of additional photos from the Commodores' limited scrimmage (recap) inside Vanderbilt Stadium last Saturday (courtesy of Leathers).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW GALLERY

Video: Smotherman motivated to return

by Leathers

A week after injuring his left knee and facing corrective surgery, Commodore defensive tackle Adam Smotherman is keeping a stiff upper lip and planning to be back for his final year in a Vanderbilt uniform.

During his upcoming rehabilitation, the senior plans to be as much of a mentor to his defensive interior teammates as he can possibly can.

Vanderbilt football SID Larry Leathers catches up with an upbeat Smotherman recently on the practice field.

Ten elected to football leadership council

by Leathers

Ten veterans of the Commodore football team, including seven that started a year ago, have been voted to the squad's leadership council.

Council representatives for the 2010 season are Larry Smith, quarterbacks; Kennard Reeves, running backs; Brandon Barden, tight ends; John Cole, receivers; Joey Bailey, offensive line; Adam Smotherman, defensive tackles; Tim Fugger, defensive ends; Chris Marve, linebackers; safety Sean Richardson, defensive backs; and snapper David Giller, specialists.

This marks the sixth year teammates have elected Leadership Council representatives. The council meets periodically to address team and student-athlete issues while serving as the players' voice communicating with coaches.

Johnson Interview with WNSR's Thom Abraham Thursday afternoon

by Leathers

Commodore football fans in Middle Tennessee can hear Coach Johnson talk spring practice football Thursday afternoon with WNSR AM-560 sports talk host Thom Abraham.

Johnson is slated to go live with Abraham on the Nashville station at 4:25 p.m., CT (listen live online).

Abraham, known to listeners as the "Big Dawg," is just a few months into an expanded role as 560's afternoon drive time host.

The Commodores have completed four of 15 spring practices, with sessions slated Friday afternoon and Saturday on campus. The Black & Gold Scrimmage, open to the public, is set Sat., April 10, at 10:30 a.m., in Vanderbilt Stadium.

Five fresh pics from practice

by Barca Blog

Click here to view Leathers' photos from last night's football practice on campus in Nashville. His full report will be posted on VUcommodores' shortly (Update: press release).

Oh, and after the previous heartbreak blog, AT sent me this song to lift my spirits.

You know, dancing cures almost everything. If only Dr. Drew had prescribed it from the get-go.

Seymour, Smotherman suffer injuries

by Barca Blog

From Leathers' official press release --

Vanderbilt's first week of practice was marred by spring-ending injuries to two key interior performers. Adam Smotherman, a two-year starter at defensive tackle, left the stadium session with a knee injury later diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear. On Thursday, sophomore offensive tackle prospect Ryan Seymour left early with a shoulder injury that is expected to require surgery.

"I feel bad for both Adam and Ryan," head coach Bobby Johnson said. "I can't tell you how hard Adam worked to repair an earlier knee injury and become a starter for this team. I know he will do all he can to get back on the field. Ryan is the same kind of young man as Adam. He'll get back with us as soon as he can.

"Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game. Other guys need to step up for this team, and realize they have an opportunity in front of them," Johnson added.

Click here to read the complete practice recap.

Winners of the Top Commodore Football Awards are...

by Leathers

The 2009 Commodore Hustle Award, given by Vanderbilt players, is presented by sophomore safety Sean Richardson.

Patrick Benoist, Ryan Hamilton and Bradley Vierling, along with Assistant Head Coach/Defense Bruce Fowler, present the Captain's Award to Chris Marve.

The Dedication Award, voted on the coaching staff, is presented to Chris Reinert. As Coach Johnson said.

Coach Johnson also singled out the team's Leadership Council: Mackenzi Adams, Benoist, Brandon Barden, Hamilton, Myron Lewis, Marve, Reinert, Steven Stone, Vierling, Brett Upson and Thomas Welch.

Johnson concluded the festivities by recognizing the team's 24 seniors, presenting each with a framed gold jersey.

And the Award Winners are...

by Leathers

Eugene Henderson, a counselor in the Office of Academic Support, presents the first honor – the Dr. Henry Tyler Award for outstanding academic achievement. And the winner recipient is senior linebacker and co-captain Patrick Benoist.

The Lifter of the Year Award goes to redshirt junior defensive tackle Adam Smotherman.

Top offensive and defensive scout honors go to offensive lineman Wesley Johnson and linebacker Marc Panu, respectively.

Freshman returner Warren Norman and senior Brett Upson shared the team's Specialist of the Year recognition.

Other Commodores earning special recognition were:
• Receiver of the Year Award – John Cole, redshirt freshman wide receiver
• Offensive Lineman Award – Bradley Vierling, redshirt senior center
• Defensive Lineman Award – T.J. Greenstone, redshirt sophomore tackle
• Linebacker Award – Chris Marve, redshirt sophomore
• Defensive Back Award – Casey Hayward, sophomore cornerback

Full House as Head Coach Starts Player Introductions

by Leathers

After welcoming everyone to the banquet, Head Coach Johnson started the banquet activities by introducing the Commodore specialists, including All-SEC pick and four-year starting punter Brett Upson and All-SEC Freshman kicker Ryan Fowler.

After Coach Johnson concluded, each assistant coach spent a few minutes introducing their position corps, with the offensive staff going first. Announcement of individual and team awards are coming momentarily.

2009 Football Banquet About to Begin

by Leathers

The Vanderbilt Football Banquet is about to start, with Coach Johnson and the Vanderbilt staff hosting a recognition luncheon to honor the 2009 Commodore squad. We'll give updates on all the individual awards announced at the affair.

Nearly 300 players, family members and staffers are expected to attend the event, staged on campus at Vanderbilt Student Life Center.

Stewart to wear 'KD1" jersey patch

by Leathers - This season, defensive end Broderick Stewart (R-Sr.) will become the third Vanderbilt player to wear the "KD1" jersey patch, one of the most significant recognitions awarded by fellow Commodore players.

The patch honors the memory of Kwane Doster, the only Commodore ever to receive the SEC Freshman of the Year Award. Doster was shot and killed in his hometown of Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 26, 2004. It will be displayed on the front of Stewart's No. 90 jersey.

Stewart, from Newnan, Ga., also becomes the first player to earn the patch that did not play with Doster.

The team's Leadership Council votes on the player to wear the "KD1" patch. They recognized Stewart's effort and desire to return from a serious lower leg injury suffered late in the 2008 season.

“They made a fantastic selection. Broderick is very deserving," Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. "They recognize that Broderick has worked extremely hard to get back on the field. They know how productive Broderick is as a player and what he has gone through to return."

"Broderick has given everything and anything to this program," two-time captain Bradley Vierling added. "He is just a team guy and he brings a lot of energy to our team. He is always getting everyone fired up. The defense really thrives off him and he is really the pulse of our defense."

Stewart, just six sacks shy of the Vanderbilt all-time career record, suffered a season-ending ankle and foot injury early in the 2008 Tennessee game, yet still travelled to the finale at Wake Forest and to the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl to support his teammates.

Stewart becomes the third Commodore player to wear the patch. Former All-SEC linebacker Jonathan Goff wore it in the 2006-07 seasons. Tailback Jeff Jennings wore the patch for his senior season.

"It’s a big honor," Stewart said. "Just for being around the school for a few years and everything that Kwane embodied like his leadership, athletic ability and his willingness to go hard and go the extra mile. I want to thank the team and for everyone that voted for me. I will definitely try to live up to it."

Commodores get AP Top 25 consideration

by Leathers - When your team captures a bowl victory, finishes with a winning record and returns a bunch of starters, folks will take notice. Even writers voting in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll.

The Commodores received three votes in the first AP Top 25 ballot, announced Saturday morning. They were one of 10 Southeastern Conference teams to garner consideration by the writers.

College football writer Jon Wilner of the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News had Vanderbilt No. 23 in his preseason ballot. He also included five other SEC teams in the Top 25.

Wilner also appears to be a big fan of Vanderbilt’s head coach. Here’s his explanation:

23. Vanderbilt: The schedule’s tough (LSU, Mississippi and Georgia Tech plus the SEC East). But the Commodores have almost everyone back and one of the top coaches in the country in Bobby Johnson.