Monday (8/15/11) MORNING practice report

[PonyPride]

• Among those who sat out Monday's morning session were some of those who have missed practice in recent days: LB Cameron Rogers (knee), DE Kevin Grenier (shoulder), CB Keith Robinson (leg), OL Jordan Free (hand/wrist), WR Bobby Waid (ankle). In addition, C Blake McJunkin is under the weather and sat out, but said he'll be back in a day or two, and NT Rishaad Wimbley sat out with what he called a "strained back" suffered in a blocking drill in which he went one-on-one with DL Aaron Davis. Wimbley said he expects to be back in all drills Tuesday.

• Another player who looked like he could be headed to the sideline is CB Chris Parks. Playing the role of mock WR, Parks ran a crossing route, only to get blasted in the chest by the left shoulder of MIKE LB Taylor Reed. After being helped off the field, Parks stayed down on one knee for a few minutes, regaining his breath. Parks said he was told he has a bruised sternum, and his return to the practice field depends on when he resumes breathing without any discomfort.

• SMU has to have the strongest kickers in the country. Former P/K Tomas Morstead's strength was well documented. 2010 starter Matt Szymanski also reshaped his physique toward the end of his SMU career. Now comes word that Mike Loftus recently bench pressed 310 pounds and power cleaned 264 — looks like the days when kickers looked like some player's little brother are a thing of the past.

• Monday morning was the team's first practice in full pads, including pants with thigh pads, etc.

• During field goal drills, K Mike Loftus hit five of seven field goals, including a long of 42 yards, and one that was blocked by DE Margus Hunt (I think). P Matt Stone has been working as his holder during practice, but SS Hayden Greenbauer served as the holder. It's not a position that garners a lot of attention until a team can't find one.

• The defense has made a point of generating more takeaways in camp. When WR Jeremy Johnson caught a deep post pattern, the defense didn't give up. LB Kevin Pope dished out the first hit, and before Johnson hit the ground, LB Lincoln Schick stripped the ball out of his hands. SS Justin Sorrell scooped up the ball and took off upfield.

• QBs Kyle Padron and J.J. McDermott looked very accurate Monday. Each completed at least one pass between four DBs, and each led his receivers well. Passes can be completed when thrown a little high or a step behind the receivers, but when thrown perfectly, the receivers can make the reception while running full speed — Padron and McDermott did so repeatedly Monday.

• Playing WR for SMU is about more than just running routes and catching passes. When WR Bradley Haynes made one of the day's nicer plays, catching a deep pass on the left sideline and then splitting the defense to race to the end zone, it was fellow WR Keenan Holman who drew the praise from WRs coach Jeff Reinebold, for getting 30 yards downfield to block.

• Along the same thoughts, players are taught that when a QB checks down and chooses to drop a screen pass to a RB coming out of the backfield rather than force a pass downfield. When QB Conner Preston did just that, surveying his options downfield before dumping a screen pass to RB Bryce Lunday, it was made clear to the WRs that they need to identify how plays were unfolding and get to the side of the field to block for an RB.

• With Robinson out, CB Kenneth Acker worked with the first-team defense.

• Chayse Joubert has been moved to CB.

[SMU 86]

Kenneth Acker has a good CB frame. He definitely has a good chance to start.

[Harry0569]

I love hearing that our WRs are getting in there to block for other WRs and RBs.

Sorrell is creating turnovers every single practice. Is he challenging Ryan Smith for a starting spot?

[SMU21TCU10]

How bad is Robinson's injury?

[cutter]

more good stuff.
thanks for adding info on the qbs hitting receivers in stride. love it.
thanks.