(Editor's note: Clemson sophomore linebacker Chad Carson will periodically check in with ESPN.com as he and the Tigers continue to prepare for the Peach Bowl. For more information on Clemson, visit the Tigers' official athletic site.)

Dec. 15, 1999

Today the real fun began. Meetings started at 8:30, so I had to get up at about 7:15 in order to eat, get dressed, and get taped before everything started. The linebackers met with Coach Herring for about one-and-a-half hours. We mainly reviewed and studied film of Mississippi St.

Practice started at 10:00, and we were dressed in full pads for an intense, full speed practice. The players knew going into this practice that it would be physical and tough. Although football players like the physical nature of the game, practices are not all about fun and games. I treat football practices and meetings like a job, so when I get to Jervey for practices, it's time to go to work.

The team worked hard for a couple of hours, doing one-on-one drills, tackling drills and a little scrimmaging. We also did some conditioning after practice. It's easy sometimes to lose focus while doing all of these practices, but I try to remember that our reward for all of this hard work is running down the Hill in front of 85,000 screaming, orange-clad fans and playing in big-time bowl games.

It felt good to have the first hard practice out of the way. After practice, I showered, talked to a couple of reporters, and headed back to the apartment for some nice rest. Later that night, Altroy Bodrick (one of my fellow linebackers) and I rewarded ourselves with a nice, huge plate full of ribs over at Sardi's restaurant in Clemson.