Injury update & practice notes
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:42 pm• Head coach Phil Bennett said Monday that sophomore DE Adrian Dizer has been sitting out of practice because of a stress fracture in his back that Dizer suffered in the spring. Injuries to the back and spinal column always are delicate situations, but Bennett said Dizer should be fine. He has been rehabbing the injury and at this point, Dizer is getting extra rest as a precaution more than anything — sort of the "better safe than sorry" approach.
• WR Emmanuel Sanders, who landed awkwardly on his shoulder in Saturday's scrimmage, was held out of Monday's practice, but Bennett said that, too, was a precaution. Sanders would have stayed in if it was a regular game, Bennett said, and has nothing more than a mild strain. He said the sophomore wideout might rest another day, but will be back on the field long before the Sept 3 season opener against Texas Tech.
• DE Cory Muse is recovering well from the groin injury that has kept him out of recent practices. Bennett said Muse should be back on the practice field within a few days.
• RB Chris Butler returned to the team after taking time off after the death of his mother, and is sporting a new jersey number: 2. Bennett and RBs coach Clarence James attended Butler's mother's funeral.
• Bennett said the offensive success Saturday night was somewhat predictable, since the first-string offense was facing the second-string defense. Nonetheless, he said QB Justin Willis looked vastly improved over where he was last year, with improved fitness, arm strength and quickness. He also said some defensive players were impressive, including DT Ryan Leonard, FS David Haynes and CB Brandon Jones, whose knowledge, experience and athletic ability allows the coaches to flip Bryan McCann between CB and FS, where he provides insurance after the injury to Rock Dennis. McCann, Bennett said, will play both positions this year.
• The injuries to DEs Cory Muse and Patrick Handy have caused concern, Bennett said, but since both are expected to be 100 percent for the season opener, their time spent watching drills has been something of a blessing in disguise. In their places, backup DEs have gotten more reps than they otherwise would. Bennett lauded the effort of Justin Smart, Anthony Sowe, Jordan Johnson and Youri Yenga. He said Yenga — who has added about 15 pounds since he signed in February — is being evaluated as someone who could play in his first season, rather than redshirting. Bennett said he could tailor some defensive packages to suit Yenga, one of the team's best pure pass rushers, to get the freshman on the field. Bennett said Yenga reminds his coach of one of his former pupils at Texas A&M: Keith Mitchell, who "rushed the passer as well as anyone." Mitchell spent several years in the NFL.
• Bennett said six true freshmen are being evaluated as candidates to play in their first year: Yenga, S De'Von Bailey, CB Derrius Bell, QB Logan Turner, WR Alrdick Robinson and TE Patrick Fleming. Robinson likely has earned a place in the WR rotation already, and could return kickoffs and/or punts. Bailey had his best practice yet Monday, including a pair of interceptions.
• WR Emmanuel Sanders, who landed awkwardly on his shoulder in Saturday's scrimmage, was held out of Monday's practice, but Bennett said that, too, was a precaution. Sanders would have stayed in if it was a regular game, Bennett said, and has nothing more than a mild strain. He said the sophomore wideout might rest another day, but will be back on the field long before the Sept 3 season opener against Texas Tech.
• DE Cory Muse is recovering well from the groin injury that has kept him out of recent practices. Bennett said Muse should be back on the practice field within a few days.
• RB Chris Butler returned to the team after taking time off after the death of his mother, and is sporting a new jersey number: 2. Bennett and RBs coach Clarence James attended Butler's mother's funeral.
• Bennett said the offensive success Saturday night was somewhat predictable, since the first-string offense was facing the second-string defense. Nonetheless, he said QB Justin Willis looked vastly improved over where he was last year, with improved fitness, arm strength and quickness. He also said some defensive players were impressive, including DT Ryan Leonard, FS David Haynes and CB Brandon Jones, whose knowledge, experience and athletic ability allows the coaches to flip Bryan McCann between CB and FS, where he provides insurance after the injury to Rock Dennis. McCann, Bennett said, will play both positions this year.
• The injuries to DEs Cory Muse and Patrick Handy have caused concern, Bennett said, but since both are expected to be 100 percent for the season opener, their time spent watching drills has been something of a blessing in disguise. In their places, backup DEs have gotten more reps than they otherwise would. Bennett lauded the effort of Justin Smart, Anthony Sowe, Jordan Johnson and Youri Yenga. He said Yenga — who has added about 15 pounds since he signed in February — is being evaluated as someone who could play in his first season, rather than redshirting. Bennett said he could tailor some defensive packages to suit Yenga, one of the team's best pure pass rushers, to get the freshman on the field. Bennett said Yenga reminds his coach of one of his former pupils at Texas A&M: Keith Mitchell, who "rushed the passer as well as anyone." Mitchell spent several years in the NFL.
• Bennett said six true freshmen are being evaluated as candidates to play in their first year: Yenga, S De'Von Bailey, CB Derrius Bell, QB Logan Turner, WR Alrdick Robinson and TE Patrick Fleming. Robinson likely has earned a place in the WR rotation already, and could return kickoffs and/or punts. Bailey had his best practice yet Monday, including a pair of interceptions.