Tuesday practice notes

[PonyPride]

• Billy Dugal, listed at RB on the roster, has been working as an H-back, much in the same role Patrick Fleming played.

• Injured bystanders included the same cast of characters: DE Margus Hunt, WR Kyle Guinyard, WR Chayse Joubert, SR Larry Centers, Jr. Joining them Tuesday as an observer was WR Keenan Holman, who said after practice that his right hamstring, which he strained earlier this week, had flared up a little. He said it didn't feel like a significant injury, adding that even though there are just three practices remaining, he hopes to return to the field this spring.

• Back on the field after missing a few days with a strained hamstring: LB John Bordano.

• Blake McJunkin and Bryce Tennison continued to share snaps at center with the first-team offensive line. Super-sub Bryan Collins also got some plays with the first-team line at both right tackle and right guard.

• Coaches will suggest that no starting job is locked up now, but three players who seem very likely to be in the starting lineup when the starts are WILL LB Ja'Gared Davis, MIKE LB Taylor Reed and BUCK LB Cameron Rogers. Running Tuesday with the first-team defense at the fourth (SAM) LB spot was Victor Jones. Running with the second team were Byron Brown (WILL), Randall Joyner (MIKE), John Bordano (BUCK) and Uchenna Nwabuike (SAM).

• WR Darius Johnson has been impressive this spring. He has made numerous impressive catches, including a few of the highlight-reel variety, and looks to be in better shape (he said his weight hasn't changed much, but he clearly is stronger). Teammates and WRs coach Jeff Reinebold have said that in addition to his ability to make the spectacular catch, Johnson has been far more consistent.

• The kickers have been getting up and working out before the team's 7 AM practices, but Tuesday marked the first time they did full-team kicking drills. Mike Loftus hit four of his five field goals, and walk-on (and former SMU soccer player) Brian Farkas hit his only attempt. When the team moved to punts, Loftus shanked his first two, but rounded into form, hitting his next one about 40 yards and his final two over 50.

• The passing game was inconsistent Tuesday, especially on deep passes, some of which fell perfectly into receivers' hands, while others fell to the turf several feet from the intended receivers. Without knowing the plays called, it's hard to tell whether it was inaccuracy by the quarterbacks or some of the less experienced receivers running less-than-crisp routes. Chances are, there was a little of both, but passes to veteran receivers like Cole Beasley, Darius Johnson and Brad Haynes did seem to reach their targets with more regularity. Not surprisingly, the short and intermediate passes were completed more consistently.

• Wrong Result, but for the Right Reason: During 11-on-11 drills, safety Justin Sorrell nearly picked off a QB J.J. McDermott pass intended for WR Steve McCormack. But CB Chris Parks also went for the ball, running into Sorrell and helping to allow the ball fall harmlessly to the turf.

• Since his arrival at SMU last year, a lot has been made about the athletic ability of WR Jeremy Johnson, who is running better routes, has more reliable hands and naturally knows the offense better now than he did in the fall. But like Darius Johnson, Jeremy Johnson clearly has put in a lot of time with SMU strength and conditioning coach Mel de Laura and his staff. On one play Tuesday, he went up for a pass over the middle and was able to use his strength to keep safety Ryan Smith from getting to the ball. Not sure if he's ready to box out like a big guy like Brad Haynes can, but Smith would have run right through Johnson to the ball in the fall. Now, Johnson is strong enough to fight DBs for some passes.

• In the seven-on-seven portion of practice, QB Kyle Padron completed one of the prettiest passes of the spring, when he lofted a soft pass of about 30 yards over three defenders and in front of a fourth, hitting Jeremy Johnson in stride.

[ponyboy]

My man Bordano starting to see some daylight.

[StallionsModelT]

Bordano was a beast in high school. I want to say he was the Greater San Antonio Area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior with nearly 200 tackles. That's pretty salty. Hopefully he stays healthy because as I said the kid can absolutely play.

[Hilltopper]

For those of us who don't live in Dallas, your notes are a godsend. Thanks webguys.

[davidpaul123]

Bordano was a beast in high school. I want to say he was the Greater San Antonio Area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior with nearly 200 tackles. That's pretty salty. Hopefully he stays healthy because as I said the kid can absolutely play.

Really glad to see Bordano with the second team as well. He has had a bit of injury bug since he has been here but he was a tackling machine and can be real productive at the Buck spot where Kennemer and Fleps logged a ton of tackles and Rogers figures to as well.

[Big Easy Pony]

Glad to read that Darius Johnson and Jeremy Johnson are continuing to improve.