Monday conditioning workout (6/30/08)

[PonyPride]

As most know, the team has started summer workouts. They are not mandatory and not supervised by coaches, but most players reportedly are taking part (the team is split between multiple sessions, presumably because of class and/or work schedules). Peeked in on a few minutes today. Some notes:

With no pads or coaches, most of what was being done was related to conditioning, so Vic Viloria and his staff can assess where the team is. The group I saw had about 40-45 players, split into three sections: linemen in one group, WRs and DBs and RBs and QBs in another, and LBs and DEs in the third.

* The linemen did a drill in which they shuffled sideways for five yards, and then turned and ran forward back to the starting line, sideways for 10 yards and back to the starting line, and then did the same over 15 yards. The drills were done in one-on-one "races," including Kelly Turner beating out Serge Elizee, Vincent Chase beating Andrew Robiskie and Bryce Tennison beating Kelvin Beachum.

* The "little guys" (DBs, WRs, RBs, QBs) had a drill that was similar, if not exactly the same. Two guys would line up facing each other on the 50-yard line. They started out racing one direction for five yards, reaching down to touch the 45-yard line, racing back 10 yards to touch the other 45, and then sprinting back to cross the 50. Two of the more impressive runners were big WRs Zach Zimmerman and Bradley Haynes. Closest battle of the day was between Emmanuel Sanders and SS Rock Dennis, who basically tied (at least from my vantage point) twice.

* The entire group did some sprints at the end, again broken down into three sub-groups. The drill didn't appear to be designed to time the players over the entire distance, but rather to get them accelerating as fast as possible for about 10 yards. The players would line up and burst off the line, and start cruising to a stop after about 15 or 20 yards. Several of the little guys ran well, as would be expected; in each round, Wilkerson and Sanders were near the front, and Willis and DeMyron Martin also seemed to be running very hard and accelerating quickly. Out in front of the pack for the "middle guys" (LBs, DEs) was Pete Fleps. Fastest of the big guys: Bryce Tennison and Vincent Chase.

* In the spirit of workhorses Bobby Chase and Zack Sledge, several Mustangs stuck around to throw the ball after they were finished with their conditioning work: Justin Willis, Bradley Haynes, Terrance Wilkerson and I think WR Jim Beckner.

* The true freshmen don't start working out with the veterans until Tuesday - I think - but one observer was wisely paying close attention to the goings-on: freshman WR E.J. Drewery.

* Pleasant sight of the day: OL Chase Smith, who has battled injuries in the past, was out there today. He didn't do all of the drills with the linemen, but he ran with the guys at the end.

[PonyTales]

Good stuff - thanks for the update.
Glad to read that report on Chase Smith - here's to good health!

[ALEX LIFESON]

Thanks PonyPride.

[smu diamond m]

I guess we wont be seeing vids of 600 lb squats during the summer workouts?

Nice report, PP

[Roach]

It's encouraging to see Zimmerman and Haynes running well.
Got to love the idea of a couple of big WRs who can move.

[DallasDiehard]

Thanks for the report, webguys

[SMUfiji43]

It's encouraging to see Zimmerman and Haynes running well.
Got to love the idea of a couple of big WRs who can move.

Zimmerman isn't that big at all. Tall, but real thin and he is weak. I've seen him working out in Dedman and was very unimpressed. This aside, he's a great athlete, but I don't think he should be praised for his size/strength.

[PonyTales]

If he's 6-1 and can run and catch the ball, I don't care if he can bench press a pencil.

That said, compared to some other WRs on the roster, the dude looks like Dirk Nowitzki.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Zack is so skinny, he would have to run around in the shower to get wet.

[J.T.supporta]

If he's 6-1 and can run and catch the ball, I don't care if he can bench press a pencil.

That said, compared to some other WRs on the roster, the dude looks like Dirk Nowitzki.

i would sure as hell hope that our WRs can bench a decent 200 being that WR blocking is KEY in this offense

[southerncomfort]

The freshmen also had running and though I hear it really wasn't that difficult, due to the heat there were quite a number of heat exhaustion/throwing up chunks/dry-heaving cases...gotta break em in somehow.