More from practice and June Jones, Bo Levi Mitchell quotes
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:32 pmOn the sideline: Sitting out Wednesday were WR Chayse Joubert (knee), LB Robert Parker (hamstring), CB Derrius Bell (groin), RT J.T. Brooks (knee) ... head coach June Jones said he expects Brooks back on the field Thursday.
Jones was asked about how a defense can get ready for the physical part of the game when they don't do a lot of hitting in practice:
"They'll get it by game time," he said. "We go full-speed to the ball, but the gameday tackling ... we can't do that as much, because you can lose guys, and we're so thin."
He also said WR Justin Willis has a chance to be "a real contributor." WIth everything Willis has been through this offseason, Jones said, Willis has "handled it like a pro, and he's running better the last five or six days."
He added that he has been very impressed with the progress shown by freshman WR Darius Johnson, saying, "the last few days, he has been everything we thought he would be. He's starting to look like Emmanuel Sanders on film. Sometimes we have a tough time telling them apart."
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell said the offense is starting to work in some new wrinkles based on what the Mustangs expect to see from season-opening opponent Stephen F. Austin, and said the biggest improvement through camp has been in consistency. "Before, we knew what we were doing but sometimes missed some things. No, there have been some days when we've only missed (about) two (defensive) reads."
Mitchell echoed Jones' optimism about Johnson, saying of the freshman wideout, "he's going to be a great receiver — he's already a great athlete. He's returning kickoffs and punts, and he's going to compete for some playing time on offense."
Up front, Mitchell said he has been impressed with the development of some of the freshman offensive linemen, particularly tackle Bryan Collins and tackle/guard Joey Fontana.
"(Collins) is doing great," Mitchell said. "They're not going all-out now, but I know he'll be physical and intense. I've seen his highlight tapes (from high school)."
Jones was asked about how a defense can get ready for the physical part of the game when they don't do a lot of hitting in practice:
"They'll get it by game time," he said. "We go full-speed to the ball, but the gameday tackling ... we can't do that as much, because you can lose guys, and we're so thin."
He also said WR Justin Willis has a chance to be "a real contributor." WIth everything Willis has been through this offseason, Jones said, Willis has "handled it like a pro, and he's running better the last five or six days."
He added that he has been very impressed with the progress shown by freshman WR Darius Johnson, saying, "the last few days, he has been everything we thought he would be. He's starting to look like Emmanuel Sanders on film. Sometimes we have a tough time telling them apart."
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell said the offense is starting to work in some new wrinkles based on what the Mustangs expect to see from season-opening opponent Stephen F. Austin, and said the biggest improvement through camp has been in consistency. "Before, we knew what we were doing but sometimes missed some things. No, there have been some days when we've only missed (about) two (defensive) reads."
Mitchell echoed Jones' optimism about Johnson, saying of the freshman wideout, "he's going to be a great receiver — he's already a great athlete. He's returning kickoffs and punts, and he's going to compete for some playing time on offense."
Up front, Mitchell said he has been impressed with the development of some of the freshman offensive linemen, particularly tackle Bryan Collins and tackle/guard Joey Fontana.
"(Collins) is doing great," Mitchell said. "They're not going all-out now, but I know he'll be physical and intense. I've seen his highlight tapes (from high school)."