Williams looking for his running backs to be more physical

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Greenville interim coach Mike Williams is taking a page out of an old military credo. He's looking for a few good men.

Right now the Tigers' coach can say without a doubt he has two running backs, but who would start behind them would be anyone's guess.

Williams said Kelcius Pate (5-foot-9, 175) and Brandon Cheatham (5-11, 190) have stepped up to be the kind of physical running backs he is looking for.

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"We need a physical player at those positions, and right now I see two guys who are doing the things we need them to do," Williams said. "I wouldn't say they are completely there, but they are getting there."

A notable name missing from Williams' list is Isiah Mack, who was a starting tailback last season for the Tigers. Mack has looked good in some practices, but at other times he's had a hard time holding onto the football.

Williams told the running backs on the first of practice that they would not see much to any playing time if they fumbled the football.

"We've got a lot of candidates out there,

and I'm wanting someone to step up," Williams said. "I know there is potential there, but I believe you prove yourself on the practice field. Right now I'm not satisfied with players not playing up to their abilities."

With less than two weeks before Greenville opens the season with Daleville, Williams said the Tiger offense is "average."

"As a group, we're not as physical as we need to be," he said

While some schools around the state will play a preseason game this Friday, Greenville will not. Williams said that the Tigers will have a situational scrimmage

on Friday.

"We're nowhere

ready to play a game right now," Williams said. "We've still got more work to do on offense, defense and the kicking game."