Mississippi State coaches are high on its top three tailbacks going into the the upcoming football season. And it’s no wonder &045; anybody would be happy with Jerious Norwood, Fred Reid and Nick Turner standing ready for passing and ball-carrying duties.

Fred Reid at 5-9, 180, is a junior from Tampa; Nick Turner at 5-10, 182, is just a sophomore from Atlanta; and sophomore Jerious Norwood is a home-state youngster from Brandon who stands 6-0 and weighs 192 pounds.

You have to figure tailback is in good hands, but not necessarily because of returning experience. And you know without my reminding that on-paper as opposed to on-field are two different animals.

State’s like any other football team at this time of the year: you better not red-ink any of them as sure bets. Coaches have to just work ’em and trust their judgment.

Mississippi State’s running backs coach Glenn Davis wouldn’t be cornered as regards his backs, but he would offer that &uot;when they’re fresh, they’re pretty dang good.&uot; Better watch his backs &045; he came might close to bragging on them!

Of course it’s &uot;iffy&uot; with all teams and all players before the season starts. That’s what makes the game of football so great &045; you know what it takes for them to get ready for the season, and just how good some of them can be.

Eli Manning, meantime, is garnering all kinds of ink. The Ole Miss senior-to-be is saluted with Ole Miss returnees quite prominently. That’s OK &045; he’s the team quarterback and known to be a really fine one.

Manning threw 21 TDs last season and for 3,401 yards. I know there’s too much &uot;Manning&uot; for some, but the rangy Ole Miss quarterback has the stuff of champions, and nearly everyone agrees.

Writers like to point out that skinny Eli owns 24 school records and is an athlete who turned down the chance at a first-round pick spot following last season. Ole dad likely had something to do with that.

Realizing the Ole Miss signal-caller would almost surely be around for 2003, coaches did for a fact get busy with the media. Like they wouldn’t have anyway. Eli Manning is not a secret weapon or anything like that.

&uot;We have a long season of business to take care of coming up, but I’m having fun and everything is just going well for us right now,&uot; Eli said. &uot;I’m still happy with my decision to come back and try to help this team improve and win some more football games.&uot;

Quickly, hats off to Poplarville couple Lauren and Kim McLaurin, who had it to win Beau Pr Country Club’s snazzy Isle of Capri Gals-N-Pals Couples Golf Scramble last week. Now for the real top prize: a five-day cruise in the Caribbean.

And the McLaurins will see familiar faces as they leave New Orleans for the Caribbean cruise. Yes sir, first, second, third, fourth and fifth flight winners will be sailing with the McLaurins. Beau Pr C.C. is luck for all of ’em.

Have fun, all.

Glenvall Estes is a longtime columnist for The Natchez Democrat.