(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. 18, 1999

Today was a light practice with no pads, and I promise it was much appreciated from a players' standpoint. After three days of hitting, my body was beginning to get sore and beat up. Coach Bowden is also giving us no practice on Sunday, so I will enjoy a nice, long day of rest and relaxation.

It feels a little unusual to be playing football so close to Christmas, and I have not been able to get in the Christmas spirit I normally enjoy around this time of year. I will have to listen to some good Christmas music to catch up on the time I missed while we were practicing.

One good thing about playing in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 is that we get three days off to be at home with our families on Christmas. After a nice three-day Christmas break, we'll be ready to travel to Atlanta and show the city what Clemson football is all about.

My hometown of Newnan, Ga., is only 30 minutes outside of Atlanta, so this bowl game will be very special for me, my family and my friends. Atlanta and Georgia are dominated primarily by Bulldog (Georgia, that is) and Yellowjacket fans, and I am excited that they will get to see what the school right up I-85 is all about.

Clemson is a great place to go to school and to play football, and I think playing in the Peach Bowl will really help a lot of prospective students and players from Georgia notice the excitement and energy that Clemson has.