PonyFans.com practice report: (9/16/14)

[PonyPride]

• Practice is, if nothing else, louder. In the first workout that was open to the media since Tom Mason added Interim Head Coach to his Defensive Coordinator title, the decibels were notably higher than at previous practices. It was normal for loud, lively music to be played while the team stretched before practice — now it is played throughout the entire workout. Mason said afterward that the music wasn't necessarily his preference (he noted a decided lack of country music) and said it was tried because the players like it, and if it helps energize the team, he'll do it.

In addition to the music, the hitting was louder — the Mustangs worked out in full pads — and the players were more vocal than normal as they reacted to different plays and drills.

• The QBs always have done a drill in which they work on fade passes by throwing passes at trash cans located in the back corners of the end zone. They all got close, but the only one to land a pass in the trash can was Matt Davis. With QB Neal Burcham sidelined for the year with what he said was diagnosed as a torn ulnar collateral nerve in his right (throwing) elbow, Davis' presence on the practice field is significant after he injured his shoulder two weeks ago against North Texas. Davis said a few days ago that the shoulder was separated in Denton, but insisted that he would be back on the field in time for Saturday's game against Texas A&M. All five QBs not named Burcham (Kolney Cassel, Davis, Garrett Krstich, Jordan Severt and Darrel Colbert) took part in drills.

• During preseason camp and some practices, the linemen (both offensive and defensive) have worked with one-man sleds; the OLs worked on a two-man sled Tuesday — maybe the input of new assistant OL coach Tim Davis?

• Freshman Courtland Sutton is getting a crash course after moving from S to WR, getting reps with multiple units and working between plays with GA Ryan Walker. Sutton is a big, fluid athlete who also appears to be a fierce downfield blocker.

• One of the changes Mason has made has been to include the offense in the "Face Up, Square Up" drill (previously done only by defensive players), in which two players line up in the middle of a ring of teammates and then try to either pin each other or drive each other out of the ring. Two of the best matchups — RB Kevin Pope vs. LB John Bordano and DL Andy McCleneghen vs. RT Kris Weeks — ended up in stalemates.

• CB J.R. Richardson continues to have his practice minutes monitored after an offseason bout with rabdomyolysis, retreating inside to cool off periodically. But when he is on the field, he consistently makes a lot of plays. He was everywhere Tuesday, breaking up passes on deep sideline routes, short throws in the flat and on crossing routes.

• As Mason said after practice, Cassel is a young QB who is learning his role as the team's sudden starter. But watching him in practice, he doesn't behave like a tentative novice. When he sees his target, he steps into his throws and fires fastballs. Even when he (or the receiver) makes the wrong read, leading to an incompletion, he plays with confidence and conviction. He did that in his time against Baylor and North Texas, too, and it was not a result of lopsided scores that made defenses back off. Some QBs try to throw fastballs on every pass, and have to learn to take a few miles per hour off some throws, and Cassel might fall into that category. But it's a far cry from some freshmen who step on the field afraid to make a mistake and end up throwing tentative changeups that can be intercepted.

• Some of the highlights during red zone drills:
S/CB Shakiel Randolph climbed the ladder to knock away a pass that only a 6-5 DB could reach…
CB Ajee Montes dove across the back of the end zone to knock away a pass
WR Shelby Walker made arguably the catch of the day when he leaped high on the side of the end zone to make the catch, and then had the presence of mind to twist his body on his way back to the ground to get both feed in bounds

• Among the visitors at practice: scouts from the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears.

[ojaipony]

What's the latest on Minor?

[blackoutpony]

After listening to Mason, I have no idea how he could stand being here for 7 years. He runs a completely different kind of program

Personally, I absolutely freaking love it

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Sounds like good stuff out there today. Thanks for the update.

[ojaipony]

Whatever happened to Colin Lagasse? Maybe I missed an announcement.

[BUS]

Mason asked to run just 60 plays ( full contact) in two a days with contact to get the team ready to play. Have you ever had a boss you did not agree with but was the man....

Guess what, the man is gone now. Thanks JJ for the pre ASU work.

Hope to see lots from the young men as they play the rest of the year.

Thanks Tom Mason for showing the team what real football is about.
GSS

[PonyPride]

Whatever happened to Colin Lagasse? Maybe I missed an announcement.

Playing WR.