Tuesday Press Conference

Hello, Bulldog fans. Let me first say how excited I am to be covering this beat. This is Day 1, with many more to come. I will give a formal introduction later.

For now, some tidbits from today’s press conference.

• Even though he started at Georgia Tech last year, there is some mystery surrounding Louisiana Tech QB Taylor Bennett. The senior transferred in this year and was allowed to play immediately after receiving an academic waiver from the NCAA (he’s going for a master’s). He had a solid 2007, but with him being with a new team and in a new offense, MSU coach Sylvester Croom isn’t sure what to expect Saturday.

“Based on what we think they’re going to do, I think it’ll be a different role, particularly with them having the kind of running back (Patrick Jackson) they have,” Croom said. “It’s pretty hard to evaluate.”

More on Bennett later this week.

• DT Charles Burns and WR Jamayel Smith will both sit out practice today with tendinitis. They should return to the field tomorrow.

• LT Derek Sherrod’s status is still unclear. Croom is holding out hope for a Thursday return to the practice field. “If he’s practicing Thursday, he’ll start.” If not, the plan is still to move starting RT Mark Melichar into Sherrod’s slot and give Quentin Saulsberry the nod at LT.

• Croom on freshman WR O’Neal Wilder, who’s out 4-6 weeks with a dislocated knee: “He definitely had some great potential. Outstanding feet, great hands, but had a lot to learn. So now it’s going to be starting all over with him.”

• A couple of positions are much less cause for concern than they were at the start of camp: Fullback and tight end. On the latter, Croom said, “I think we are equal to last year at this point, and in some areas maybe ahead at that position.” Good news for an already dangerous running game.

• Croom on Tech’s Jackson: “A very solid SEC-looking running back. Good change of direction, good burst into the hole, good vision. He has the potential to make big plays any time he touches the football.”