PonyFans.com is proud once again to offer its readers an unmatched collection of former SMU players as guest columnists. Throughout the 2010 season, former tight end John Hampton will offer his insights after every game, home and away, and help PonyFans look forward to upcoming games by addressing key personnel matchups, scheme and gameplan ideas, and the behind-the-scenes issues that can factor into the outcome of games. Joining Hampton on the PonyFans.com list of columnists will be defensive lineman Allan Adami (coming soon), offensive lineman Trey Bandy (coming soon), linebacker D.D. Lee (coming soon), wide receiver Mick Rossley and quarterback Chris Sanders. All six were outstanding players at SMU, and each can offer a unique insight into the specifics of playing his position, as well as analysis of the Mustangs' current team and individual players, the team's overall performance and the factors that contribute to a successful season. Enjoy! Webmasters PonyFans.com

IN THE HUDDLE with Chris Sanders: Cut Day NFL hopefuls must clear big hurdle before rookie seasons can start Posted on 08/31/2010 by Chris Sanders The Mustangs' starting quarterback in 1997 and 1998, Chris Sanders helped guide SMU to its first winning season in more than a decade when the Ponies finished the 1997 season with a record of 6-5. The strong-armed Sanders, who was recruited to play in then-SMU coach Tom Rossley's Run-and-Shoot offense, finished his college career as a record-setting passer at Tennessee-Chattanooga where he was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the top Div. I-AA player in the nation. Sanders embarked on a professional career that included getting signed by a pair of NFL teams - the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons - as well as stints in NFL Europe and the Arena Football League. Now the AFL's Compliance Director and one of the hosts of a high school football scoreboard radio show at 10 p.m. every Friday night, Sanders will visit throughout the season with PonyFans.com to share his thoughts on playing quarterback, in general and specifically in the Run-and-Shoot. IN THE HUDDLE with Chris Sanders: Cut Day Have you ever had to look forward to a day when you knew your career and life were going to change forever? I am going to guess probably not. Emmanuel Sanders, Shawnbrey McNeal and Bryan McCann are three NFL rookies who are about to have their lives and careers altered forever. Of course, Emmanuel will continue his career playing in the NFL since he was a third-round pick. He is almost guaranteed three to four years to prove himself at the next level. The other two will not have the luxury of knowing their football fate until probably the last day — “Cut Day.” Chris Sanders experienced something he hopes Bryan McCann, Shawnbrey McNeal, Emmanuel Sanders and Thomas Morstead never have to endure: getting cut in the NFL (photo by Webmaster). Cut Day in the NFL can be one of the most exciting and disappointing days in a football player’s post college life. As a player, you get a calendar at the beginning of camp, and the last day on that sheet always says “Cut Day” at the end. Some players circle the date and others try not to think about it, but all undrafted rookies know it is coming. As an undrafted rookie your chance of making the squad is almost impossible, but if you do that first week’s check of around $20k can change your life forever. Here are the numbers: An NFL regular season roster includes only 53 players. A team usually drafts anywhere from four to seven players. The players drafted in the first five rounds are usually going to make the team. This is because the executives who drafted them are not going to cut them and admit they were wrong by picking the player. A head coach usually knows the core 40 players that are going to be on the team. That only leaves 13 spots to be filled. Let’s say six of the drafted players make it, then that only leaves seven positions open. Those seven positions are the only chance undrafted players have to make the team. The only problem is that teams also are looking at other players who are going to be cut from other teams to bring in and fill those seven slots. Some of those available players are veterans who always will have a better chance to make it than a rookie. Another opportunity for a rookie to make the squad is to be assigned to the practice squad. Through three preseason games, McNeal has not had many touches for San Diego. McCann has had a great impact as a returner for the Cowboys with 10.8 yards per punt return and 22 yards per kickoff return. But will it be enough? As a player, on Cut Day you walk into the practice facility and try not to look at anyone, especially the coaches and scouts — the problem is that you all have breakfast in the same cafeteria, so you have to sit there and just look down at your food. Even the guys who know they are going to make the team are uneasy and don’t want to look up from their meals. I remember being very at ease and confident since I just finished being voted the MVP from the game two nights earlier. Little did I know that a comeback drive in a preseason game on national television — which, coincidentally, is when I learned a cell phone could not handle more than 50 voice mails — was not that impressive to a coaching staff. I sat there eating my filet mignon with egg, as is customary when you play in the NFL, and I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I looked up it was the Titans’ head strength coach, who you did not want to talk to on Cut Day. He was the “Turk,” or called by some “The Reaper.” He said that (Tennessee head) Coach (Jeff) Fisher wanted to see me. Being the cocky self that I am, I asked him “are you sure?” He said, “just bring your playbook with you.” At that time the whole room just stopped and the only thing I could think about was, “how could this be happening?” I had been playing football for 12 years, and now I was probably never going to get to play again. I walked down the hall to Coach Fisher’s office and the weirdest thing happened: as I was walking, everyone that passed seemed to frown and give me that “I’m sorry” look. It was like they all knew before I did, or maybe they just knew because I was carrying my encyclopedia-sized playbook with me. When I got into Coach’s office, he told me all the things you would expect to hear. “You did a great job, and if we have an opportunity to bring you back, we will.” But all I could hear was Charlie Brown’s teacher talking to me. I just sat there as a 22-year-old kid, wondering how I put all this time, effort and sacrifice to use, my God-given talent, and now I can’t do it anymore. “What’s next? Where do I go? How do I make money? Am I ever going to have a chance to play again?” These are the questions that hopefully Shawnbrey McNeal and Bryan McCann will not have to face. If they do, and you see them on the Boulevard this fall, make sure you let them know that you are proud of what they have accomplished and that they will never be cut from the Mustangs.

FROM THE BOOTH with John Hampton: Dark horses Team-first team players like Padron, Smith gave glimpse of bright future Posted on 08/31/2010 by John Hampton One of the most prolific tight ends in SMU history, John Hampton was a key cog in the Mustangs' passing offense during his career from 1999-2002, led the Ponies in receptions in 2000 and earned a tryout with the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Now entering his fifth season with the SMU radio broadcast (his second as color analyst), Hampton will weigh in every week throughout the season after each game, home and away, to discuss each week's game and what the Mustangs need to do each week going forward. Welcome to my world of digressions. It’s that time of year my therapist says I need fewer meds and more human interaction. Camp starting, highly regarded freshmen and young players preparing to compete for travel roster spots and playing time, lightly regarded recruits preparing to come out of nowhere, returning starters making peace with the grind of camp to take the next step as a program, and radio commentators get a fans-driven website platform. I plan to be around all season and have intimated to Rich Phillips that I’m down to help with in-game contributions through Facebook.com, so feel free to be in touch there or send me a private message at my PonyFans.com handle: Sideline. We invite any and all questions, answers, feedback, free meals and conversation. Don’t be shy. Hampton said it's players like holder/quarterback-turned-safety-turned-linebacker Braden Smith who give the program hope for continued improvement (photo by Travis Johnston). This fall marks my 11th consecutive season of having something to do with SMU football. In terms of football, I have seen it all. But nothing topped last fall in Houston, at least not in that ironic, tell-me-what-I’m-seeing-is-real version in which, regardless of the outcome of that specific game, I knew I was watching the first college snaps of two salty kids that will continue to mold the SMU football program for years to come. For the record, I was a junior when (running back) ShanDerrick Charles came out of nowhere in week seven of the 2001 season and went for 200 yards in like four consecutive games. But he wasn’t playing the most pivotal position on the field and the program was in, ummmm … a different state than it is today? If I could ever get my radio partner away from www.nascar.com long enough to retrieve some old game footage, I’d ask him for last year’s game against the Cougars. As was evident in my voice, I was sold on Braden Smith as an SMU football player and Kyle Padron as an SMU quarterback. I was the most interested, excited color commentator in the history of three-touchdown deficits not named Craig Swann. (FYI: the great Craig Swann and his beautiful family are growing like weeds — I expect another Swann linebacker in about 15 years.) In order for SMU to leave victorious, it was pretty obvious the Mustangs would need a collective effort with no mistakes and minimal bad luck. Then Houston kicked off. Bryan McCann housed it, my radio partner had possibly the call of his career, but when I saw the flag fly (45 yards away from the returner, not in Rich’s binocular peripheral) and that sinking feeling in my stomach set in, I figured it was going to be one of those games that one day would spawn silly cynical metaphors. With the touchdown negated and the spot-foul yardage pinning the offense with its backs to its goal line, the last thing SMU could afford was a hesitant decision, failed blocking assignment or a poor route. Perhaps my memory fails me, but I think SMU went broke on the first play. Bo Levi Mitchell went down with an injury that ad/PR consulting firms have since valued at $32 million in exposure for SMU, it appeared Braden Smith would be alternating snaps with Kyle Padron at quarterback, and the University of Houston go-go dancers in their white boots became the most interesting group on the field. Again, it was the first drive of the game. Outside of Smith executing some pivotal draws against UAB, I wasn’t sure what we had in the backup spot. And the Padron kid? I just figured he was the rosy-cheeked true freshman the coaches brought along to throw to receivers two hours before games so he could slowly assimilate to the speed of the college game, because after all, he did play only five games in high school. I’ve got a suspicion the SMU coaches knew what they had in Smith and Padron, but unless you’re a parent of either player or on the practice field daily, you had no idea what kind of college football players they were. Smith secured his place on the roster as the most coachable, tough and selfless player, and Padron cemented his spot as a gamer with an unlimited ceiling with the guidance of the system drawn up by the college game’s best offensive mind. Padron’s tools and precocious nature made a strong case to the coaches that regardless of his youth, going forward, he had the demeanor and mentality to apply everything they had been teaching. It was simply a matter of reps. Smith has since been moved to defense, and his actions that night in Houston lead me believe he’ll be on the field the next few seasons, contributing on defense and special teams, exposing him to the knowledge and experience to become a head coach even sooner after his playing days, if that’s the route he so chooses. More importantly, he’s a reminder that college athletes find and accept their role within the big picture and receive coaching — something being lost with each generation, and seemingly in short supply throughout locker rooms nationwide. It’s student-athletes like Braden Smith and Kyle Padron, and many more who are working through preseason camp, who give SMU fans reason to believe the talent level has reached the character level necessary to win for consecutive seasons, and win big. Tell your friends, encourage your non-SMU friends to make it out to the Boulevard and into the stadium, and heck, get in the car or plane if your means call for it and support these guys on the road. You never know which unheralded player will come out of nowhere and remind you that the coach is in place to get SMU into the upper echelon of college football. Let’s all do what we can to keep it going.

ROSSLEY'S RANT: Two-a-days are about survival Jones understands breaking up monotony is key Posted on 08/31/2010 by Mick Rossley One of the most prolific Run-and-Shoot receivers ever, Rossley was key weapon in the offense during his playing career from 1991-94. Rossley thrived in the system, catching 186 passes (third-most in SMU history) in his career, and caught 83 receptions in his senior season - the second-highest single-season total in SMU history. He also is eighth in school history with 1,911 receiving yards and has the eighth-highest single-season yardage in school history (857, set in 1994). Rossley is the son of former SMU head coach (and Run-and-Shoot guru) Tom Rossley, and is vice president of The Crosland Group in Dallas. Rossley will visit with PonyFans.com throughout the season to share his insights into the Run-and-Shoot offense and the nuances of playing the different receiver positions within the offense, and what makes it effective against different defenses. Two-a-days: the most exciting time and the toughest time of the season collide. Starters get solidified, and 11 to 14 weeks of memorable experience/history await. This is an inevitable experience, and for whatever reason an experience that high school, college and pro players alike all will endure — unless you’re Brett Favre, at 40 years old. Unlike the old days, when coaches ran grueling practices to get players in shape, this is a time to hone the skills, confirm starters, ease anxiey, and prep the troops. Optimism abounds — after all, every team is undefeated at this point. Jobs are at risk … and a new season of hope awaits. Rossley says SMU head coach June Jones' decision to break up two-a-days by requiring his players to spend an afternoon at the pool was a "genius" move (photo by Travis Johnston). I don’t think any player loves two-a-days for many reasons including: • Two practices in 105 degree heat Yes Dallas is hot — this summer not an exception. Regardless, full-pad practices are required by most and it stinks. The smartest receivers and d-backs (who in my opinion have the most stress on their legs during this month) will sit in a trash can filled with 50% ice and 50% water after every practice to shut off the bleeding and swelling in their legs and attempt to save their legs for the next practice. Guys who ran a 4.5 (in the 40-yard dash) before camp will run a 4.7 during camp just because. Luckily everyone is a step slower during boot camp. • Ghost-town campus The pretty girls are still home working on sun tans, the dorms are sparingly filled and spread out (since we don’t have privileged/dedicated athletic dorms at SMU) with players and shaved ankles alike (for taping), and time off the field is spent in the food-line cafeteria, and/or sleeping on a cold mattress in a hollow dorm. There is no time for frolicking and the newbies study their playbooks ’til the wee hours, while hopefully pounding water, and eating potassium pills to stave off cramping … ugh. Small Reward The Mustangs finished two-a-days and now are getting ready to head to Lubbock to open the season against Texas Tech. They survived, but coaches know what a strain it is on players, so a small reward awaits the finality of a stressful two-a-days. All teams do it, in the NFL and college alike. This is when a coach sees his team dragging in toward the end, being sluggish for obvious reasons, and not responding as well to the yells of the louder coaches (think Dennis McKnight). It usually goes down like this: a practice is suddenly cancelled, moping players skip the ankle taping, and the team excitedly takes on the surprise activity. I have known teams to board a bus and do paint ball wars, go golfing, go bowling, see a movie like Rudy, or Remember the Titans. Our Ponies, if you weren’t aware, take it to the pool on this day — the SMU Barr outdoor pool — and 90-plus 200- to 300-pound men take turns taking a scary leap of faith off the 10-meter diving platform (or 33 feet in height — similar to jumping off the roof of a 3-story house!!) and plunge into the deep waters beneath. This is genius on coach June Jones’s part. On a chance jog through campus the other day I got to stop and witness the entire thing. Hootin’ and hollerin’ … encouragement … chanting the names of guys who were scared to death and ultimately prevailed to the cheers of teammates by making the scary plunge. Needless to say, this is an unbelievable team-bonding moment that serves its purpose to both re-unite the troops and lift spirits as the team makes its final preparations before the team goes to battle during the 2010 fall season. The good news… Texas Tech in Lubbock is Sunday. Our players will regain their legs as June and the (coaching) crew back off the gauntlet. I watched a practice recently and saw the offense go through seven-on-seven drills (when skilled positions minus the lineman throw passing plays) and didn’t see a dropped ball in 20-plus reps!?! Wow — reminded me of watching one of my dad’s NFL camp practices — albeit smaller and slower, but still impressive. This team looks poised to take the next step. The No. 1 and No. 2 quarterbacks (Kyle Padron and J,.J. McDermott) both looked more than qualified to take the reins, and Coach Jones seems quietly optimistic. I expect this team to move the chains, light up the scoreboard and win more games than last year. SMU is a bandwagon we should all get on now. I have never felt as confident as I do about the near future for the Ponies — and PonyFans — as I do now. Go Ponies!