Wednesday practice notes

[PonyPride]

• The Ponies did extensive work on a red zone offense, the star of which might have been quarterback J.J. McDermott. On successive plays, he hit WR Ryan Walker on a sprint toward the goalpost (with CB Richard Crawford close behind), froze the defense with a pump fake before coming back to find WR Cole Beasley on a quick slant into the end zone, and fired a beautiful pass to the back shoulder of WR Steve Nelson, who made the catch in front of CB Chris Castro. The streak of completions ended only when CB Chris Parks burst out of his backpedal in time to dive in front of Walker to knock the ball away ... twice on consecutive plays.

• The WRs, RBs and DBs aren't the only ones who work on their pass-catching skills. There were three interceptions during 11-on-11 drills Wednesday, all by linebackers. Cameron Rogers had two, and Travis Carlile (a converted RB) had one.

• The players who have missed most or all of spring workouts — DE Margus Hunt, WR Kyle Guinyard, RB Zach Line, WR Chase Guinyard, DE Taylor Thompson, DE Aaron Davis — remained out. WR Keenan Holman sat out again with a sore hamstring, but said (Tuesday) that he hopes to return for the final practice Saturday. In addition, CB Kenneth Acker was out, with a protective boot on his right foot. Acker said he "tweaked a tendon" in the foot, but said the boot was precautionary, adding that if he isn't back on the practice field Thursday, he expects to return for Saturday's spring finale (there is no practice Friday).

• For the first time this spring, Line dressed, with shoulder pads and a helmet, but didn't participate in any drills.

• Thompson is out of his sling and has begun rehabilitating his shoulder (he had a torn labrum in his shoulder surgically repaired a couple of weeks ago). He said most of the pain is gone, except when he sleeps, when he sometimes shifts into an uncomfortable position.

• Special teams coach Frank Gansz, Jr., did his most extensive work with the punt return team. Fielding most of the punts: WRs Jeremy Johnson and Steve McCormack.

• Kevin Pope has looked good since returning to RB this week. His strength and power was no secret, but his acceleration and ability to change direction quickly appear improved over last fall. He also showed good hands out of the backfield: on one crossing route over the middle of the field, he reached out and snatched a pass that looked like it might be beyond his reach and then outran a linebacker and safety to the far side before turning upfield.

• Hits of the day: (1) In seven-on-seven skeleton drills, WR Jeremy Johnson caught a quick screen pass and found plenty of running room when WR Ryan Walker buried a DB; (2) on a running play in 11-on-11 drills, OL Bryan Collins finished one block and looked for another. When he turned and saw a white (defense) jersey coming, he handed out a fairly routine block ... on CB Keith Robinson, who is listed at 6 inches shorter and 111 pounds lighter than Collins. it didn't appear that Collins was trying to be malicious, but sometimes the laws of physics are hard to overcome, and he sent Robinson flying (Robinson bounced right up, unhurt).

• Catch of the day: Maybe the problem is that he makes them look too easy, but WR Darius Johnson has a knack for making one-handed catches. Toward the end of Wednesday's practice, QB Steve Kaiser found Johnson running up the left seam, and watched as Johnson calmly pulled in a left-handed grab over (almost behind) his head.

[Dark Horse]

Thanks, Pride.

Sounds like McDermott is feeling pretty good after his surgery, as you have mentioned him in several reports, and Darius Johnson sounds like he's maturing, too.

[ponyscott]

A pump fake???? A QB with a pump fake to freeze the D?........is that ok from JJ?

[Hoss]

Terrific stuff. Thanks, PP

[westexSMU]

Good report. Thanks...Wish I could be there Saturday to see the improvement.