Thursday practice notes
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:02 am• WR Jeremy Johnson was back on the field Thursday, and yesterday's report was inaccurate — it was a quadricep muscle he strained, not a hamstring. He took part in most drills Thursday, but was hobbling. After practice, he said his leg is still sore, but expects to be fine when the Ponies return to practice next week.
• WR Keenan Holman sat out Thursday after straining his hamstring Wednesday. He also said he expects to be back on the field next week.
• When the Ponies broke into position drills, the defensive line looked like Thursday's practice was optional, as five linemen sat out: Margus Hunt (shoulder), Taylor Thompson (shoulder), Aaron Davis (sports hernia), Mike O'Guin (knee), Jordan Favreau (sick) ... and Forrest Hagar was limited because of a sore back. Working Thursday with defensive line coach Bert Hill were Szymon Czerniak, Beau Barnes, Marquis Frazier, Kevin Grenier and walk-on Gareth Riley-Ayers.
• With Wednesday's announcement that Braden Smith is transferring, Hayden Greenbauer has assumed the role as the Mustangs' primary holder on placekicks.
• The quarterbacks, like everyone else, have had some days that were better than others. They looked pretty accurate, especially Kyle Padron and J.J. McDermott, each of whom threaded some passes into tight coverage. Most of their passes were on target, even if they weren't caught: in one series, Padron floated a pass over two defenders and into the outstretched hands of wide receiver Steve Nelson. Moments later, McDermott dropped a touch pass over three defenders and into the hands of Nelson, who dropped the ball. But on the very next play, McDermott found Terrance Wilkerson, who made a diving catch about 20 yards down the left sideline — maybe the catch of the day.
• Two of the best defensive plays of the day were turned in by defensive back Robert Mojica, who intercepted a pass from Greenbauer (who was running the scout team offense), and safety Justin Sorrell, who dove in front of receiver Der'Rikk Thompson to knock away a pass from McDermott.
• WR Keenan Holman sat out Thursday after straining his hamstring Wednesday. He also said he expects to be back on the field next week.
• When the Ponies broke into position drills, the defensive line looked like Thursday's practice was optional, as five linemen sat out: Margus Hunt (shoulder), Taylor Thompson (shoulder), Aaron Davis (sports hernia), Mike O'Guin (knee), Jordan Favreau (sick) ... and Forrest Hagar was limited because of a sore back. Working Thursday with defensive line coach Bert Hill were Szymon Czerniak, Beau Barnes, Marquis Frazier, Kevin Grenier and walk-on Gareth Riley-Ayers.
• With Wednesday's announcement that Braden Smith is transferring, Hayden Greenbauer has assumed the role as the Mustangs' primary holder on placekicks.
• The quarterbacks, like everyone else, have had some days that were better than others. They looked pretty accurate, especially Kyle Padron and J.J. McDermott, each of whom threaded some passes into tight coverage. Most of their passes were on target, even if they weren't caught: in one series, Padron floated a pass over two defenders and into the outstretched hands of wide receiver Steve Nelson. Moments later, McDermott dropped a touch pass over three defenders and into the hands of Nelson, who dropped the ball. But on the very next play, McDermott found Terrance Wilkerson, who made a diving catch about 20 yards down the left sideline — maybe the catch of the day.
• Two of the best defensive plays of the day were turned in by defensive back Robert Mojica, who intercepted a pass from Greenbauer (who was running the scout team offense), and safety Justin Sorrell, who dove in front of receiver Der'Rikk Thompson to knock away a pass from McDermott.
