Monday (6/24/13) optional workout notes

[PonyPride]

A group of SMU players gathered again Monday afternoon at Ford Stadium for another optional workout. A few observations:

• QBs coach Dan Morrison always said that above all else, he and head coach June Jones covet accuracy — above speed, above arm strength, etc. — when evaluating a quarterback's physical skills. Backup QB Garrett Krstich, who missed much of the 2012 season with a broken bone in his foot, has been paying attention. Krstich looks exceptionally accurate today, firing three straight 45-yard strikes that hit their target on the hands.

• While the offense engages in 7-on-7 drills against the LBs and DBs, a bunch of DLs are working on pass-rushing moves on the sideline, including a drill to sharpen their reactions to the timing of the snaps (one player snaps the ball, the others all burst forward.

• Kenneth Acker has taken snaps on both offense and defense.

• No pads means no hitting ... usually. After making a nice grab on a 15-yard out route from QB Garrett Krstich, Colin Lagasse got both feet (preparing for the NFL?) down inbounds ... only to get shoved to the turf out of bounds by CB J.R. Richardson. The play clearly wasn't intentional, and Richardson seemed relieved when Lagasse popped up laughing.

• CB Horace Richardson was one of several DBs who was shelved for the year last season because of an injury — in his case, a torn ACL. Richardson has been praised for his rehab work, and it appears to be paying off, as his acceleration looks much better when racing forward to break up short passes than it did during the spring.

• In attendance and working out on the side: Pittsburgh Steelers OL Kelvin Beachum, Jr., sporting (presumably) team-issued black workout short and shorts, and even a pair of black and yellow shoes. Also in attendance: former P/K Matt Szymanski.

I know, it's brief. I saw about half of it, and now they're running. Will try to get more the next time...

[ponyte]

Thanks. Its good to know that they are working to get better through the summer.

[Charleston Pony]

interesting initial note about Morrison and Jones wanting accuracy above arm strength. I'm surprised they stuck with Gilbert as long as they did last year because I thought he was maybe the least accurate passer I've seen in years. Hope that changes after a year to get to know his targets

[jpe747]

I expect Gilbert to the at the top of his game next year. Remember, he's a 5 star (in his final year). Two (2) stars from this school have gone to the NFL. Lets see what 5 star means at SMU.

[jpe747]

The above is a challenge to Gilbert.

[Grant Carter]

The above is a challenge to Gilbert.

Wow, I am sure he will be motivated now that he has been challenged.

[GRGB]

I thought P/K Matt Szymanski was an aggie again

[malonish]

http://www.kcchiefs.com/team/roster/mat ... 8d46e05ff/

[SMU 86]

Optional workouts? Who was that with the Cowboys that said "ain't no voluntary workouts," I think he was a linebacker.

[HorsePower]

Thrilled to read that JR Richardson and Horace Richardson are on their way back. I had very high hopes for both last year, and hope they're healthy now.

[Grant Carter]

Optional workouts? Who was that with the Cowboys that said "ain't no voluntary workouts," I think he was a linebacker.

It was Darren Hambrick.

Then he lashed out at the media for making something of his tardiness. "I missed a voluntary camp," he said incredulously to a pack of reporters. "What do 'voluntary' mean?"

[ghost]

Since most of the players take the second summer session and receive scholarship money for that month, how do the others pay their own way to be here and work out? Do most have summer jobs or do the parents foot the bill? I know other Big 12 schools have their athletes at both summer sessions so they receive school stipends all summer. Seems like a big disadvantage during summers to be a student/athlete at SMU. Is it an SMU or conference policy or maybe it has changed since the move from CUSA.

[Stallion]

we aren't signing top WR prospects. We are hoping to coach raw, sleepers up or move good athletes to receiver from other positions. We've had some names like Guinyard (3? major injuries since high school senior year) and Dieter the Fleeter (Parade Magazine's unrecruited All American) but no true Blue Chip highly recruited player except for Darius Johnson who finished among SMU's All Time leading receivers. The better question is why has this staff failed to recruit better WR talent. There's little doubt they can coach them

[leopold]

Dieter the Fleeter?

I like that

[78pony]

we aren't signing top WR prospects. We are hoping to coach raw, sleepers up or move good athletes to receiver from other positions. We've had some names like Guinyard (3? major injuries since high school senior year) and Dieter the Fleeter (Parade Magazine's unrecruited All American) but no true Blue Chip highly recruited player except for Darius Johnson who finished among SMU's All Time leading receivers. The better question is why has this staff failed to recruit better WR talent. There's little doubt they can coach them

The better question is why has this staff failed to recruit better WR talent. Well maybe; ineptitude, lack of communication, lack of coordination, lack of motivation, lack of leadership, lack of training, failed/non-existant plan, fear of failure.