Tuesday practice report
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:48 pmHe's baaaaack: Maybe the best sight of the day was WR Aldrick Robinson, who had missed several days with a tweaked hamstring, taking part in all drills, and appearing to have no discomfort.
M.I.A.: Missing practice Tuesday were CB Derrius Bell, WR Chayse Joubert, OT J.T. Brooks, RB Chris Butler and RB Billy Dugal.
Hit of the day: Since his arrival at SMU, Justin Willis has been on the receiving end of some pretty punishing hits, but Tuesday likely was the first time he dished out one of the day's biggest hits. Such was the case Tuesday morning when he blasted DB Terry Anderson, planting the freshman walk-on while blocking for another receiver. (To be fair, it actually looked like it might have been accidental, as if Willis just sort of ran Anderson over, rather than trying to drill him. Nonetheless, the end result was pretty dramatic.
Hit of the day — honorable mention: If Willis doesn't get the hit of the day, then it goes to DE Marquis Frazier, who charged into the pocket with LB/TE Pat Fleming lined up next to LT Kelvin Beachum, Jr. Frazier slammed one hand into the front of Fleming's shoulderpads and flattened him, barely slowing down as he ran right over him.
Pipe splitter: K Matt Szymanski again was sharp on field goals, hitting consecutive field goals while backing up a few yards at a time until he finally missed from 47 yards.
Off-guard: Redshirt freshman Jordan Free and sophomore Josh LeRibeus rotated with the first-team offensive line at left guard during 11-on-11 drills.
First pick: Walk-on freshman DB Alex Kling had his first interception of preseason camp when he snagged a pass that deflected off the hands of WR Brad Haynes and ran it in for a score. Kling is a cousin of SMU defensive coordinator Tom Mason.
Hail to the Redskins: A scout for the Washington Redskins was in attendance at Tuesday's practice.
Always on the Hunt: Much has been made about the speed, strength and size of DE Margus Hunt, and with good reason. But he is starting to show one other characteristic that coaches covet: a high-running motor. When RB Bryce Lunday turned the corner on a sweep and headed about 20 yards upfield, the player who chased him out of bounds was Hunt — who had started the play on the opposite side of the field. Shortly thereafter, WR Emmanuel Sanders caught a pass on a deep crossing route, beat LB Brandon Henderson to the far boundary and raced up the sideline toward the end zone. The player who chased Sanders all the way to the end zone (and nearly caught him, thanks in part to Sanders' change of direction): Hunt ... who started running from about 50 yards away and nearly derailed Sanders' route to the end zone.
M.I.A.: Missing practice Tuesday were CB Derrius Bell, WR Chayse Joubert, OT J.T. Brooks, RB Chris Butler and RB Billy Dugal.
Hit of the day: Since his arrival at SMU, Justin Willis has been on the receiving end of some pretty punishing hits, but Tuesday likely was the first time he dished out one of the day's biggest hits. Such was the case Tuesday morning when he blasted DB Terry Anderson, planting the freshman walk-on while blocking for another receiver. (To be fair, it actually looked like it might have been accidental, as if Willis just sort of ran Anderson over, rather than trying to drill him. Nonetheless, the end result was pretty dramatic.
Hit of the day — honorable mention: If Willis doesn't get the hit of the day, then it goes to DE Marquis Frazier, who charged into the pocket with LB/TE Pat Fleming lined up next to LT Kelvin Beachum, Jr. Frazier slammed one hand into the front of Fleming's shoulderpads and flattened him, barely slowing down as he ran right over him.
Pipe splitter: K Matt Szymanski again was sharp on field goals, hitting consecutive field goals while backing up a few yards at a time until he finally missed from 47 yards.
Off-guard: Redshirt freshman Jordan Free and sophomore Josh LeRibeus rotated with the first-team offensive line at left guard during 11-on-11 drills.
First pick: Walk-on freshman DB Alex Kling had his first interception of preseason camp when he snagged a pass that deflected off the hands of WR Brad Haynes and ran it in for a score. Kling is a cousin of SMU defensive coordinator Tom Mason.
Hail to the Redskins: A scout for the Washington Redskins was in attendance at Tuesday's practice.
Always on the Hunt: Much has been made about the speed, strength and size of DE Margus Hunt, and with good reason. But he is starting to show one other characteristic that coaches covet: a high-running motor. When RB Bryce Lunday turned the corner on a sweep and headed about 20 yards upfield, the player who chased him out of bounds was Hunt — who had started the play on the opposite side of the field. Shortly thereafter, WR Emmanuel Sanders caught a pass on a deep crossing route, beat LB Brandon Henderson to the far boundary and raced up the sideline toward the end zone. The player who chased Sanders all the way to the end zone (and nearly caught him, thanks in part to Sanders' change of direction): Hunt ... who started running from about 50 yards away and nearly derailed Sanders' route to the end zone.