Observations from Thursday's practice

[PonyPride]

OK, folks, I got there late, but here's a few notes:

• Ben Poynter has been moved to left tackle. Mitch Enright was running with the first team at center.
• Both starting guards - Celeb Peveto and and Sean Lobo - are sitting out. Not sure how long, but they're both recovering from shoulder issues (Peveto's is a shoulder, and I think Lobo's, too). Tommy Poynter "started" at left guard, Joe Holmes at right guard. Kenard Burley was back anchoring the right tackle spot. Burley was backed up by newly converted OT Dominic Pryor.
• Adrian Dizer had considerable success rushing from the left DE spot. Inside, Charlie Berry paired with Chris Parham, Zac Thomas with Mickey Dollens and Ryan Leonard with Kyle DeGroat.
• Bryan McCann made a fantastic diving, one-handed interception on a ball that looked like it was being thrown away. On the other side, Devin Lowery made several nice catches. Jay'Mond Cleveland was moving very well for a guy who missed the entire 2006 season with a leg injury.
• Looks like several guys have taken Vic Viloria's program to heart. Among those who look good by the oh-so-scientific eyeball test: Adrian Dizer (looks much stronger), Vincent Chase (ditto), DeMyron Martin (looks leaner, but reportedly still in the 230 range), Bryce Hudman (leaner), Justin Willis (leaner and stronger), Ross Nigh (leaner and stronger, and looks like he could add a LOT more strength), Tony Hawkins, Zach Zimmerman. I don't know - maybe they just have new uniforms. But these guys were among those who looked pretty good.
• This year's Bobby Chase? A handful of players stuck around after practice was over: Zack Sledge was there, of course, catching passes from backup QB Zach Rhodes. Adrian Dizer and Vincent Chase were working on their technique on the blocking sleds. Charlie Berry and Mickey Dollens were discussing pass rush moves, how to get bigger offensive linemen off-balance.
• Drills were very limited, but Willis, Corey Slater and Rhodes all threw the ball pretty well. Willis, in particular, seemed to have more velocity this year, although his right (throwing) hand is still swollen after surgery to repair a broken fifth metacarpal bone.
• Emmanuel Sanders seemed very quick and shifty, a good sign after his knee injury at the end of the season.


That's all for now - like I said, I got there late. I'll try to get out there again tomorrow.

[ponyfan84]

Good post, thanks for the info! New uniforms? Did they change 'em again? Or are they practice jerseys? Anyways, glad to see more velocity on the ball by Willis. He lacked that last year, and hopefully he can get more passes in this season that he could not make last year. Looking forward to March 31st.

[PonyPride]

Ha - no, all I meant by the "new uniforms" comment was that maybe the guys hadn't changed as much as it appeared, but some of them looked like they're in visibly better shape, that's all.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Also looks like Justin Smart is getting some reps at DE. By the way, he is a big kid.

[indianmustang]

thanks for the updates

[Pony Up]

Thank you, indeed!

You can almost smell it in the air, can't you? It's .... football.

Keep 'em coming!

[Pony Fan]

Where is Andrew McKinney playing? I keep hoping that we will move to DE.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Andrew is still at TE.

[OC Mustang]

Also looks like Justin Smart is getting some reps at DE. By the way, he is a big kid.

DE??!!! Really? Vic must really know his stuff, or Smart is playing scout team this year because of serious depth at LB. To me, based on having seen him, he is future MLB, not DE, but who knows...he's pretty agile.

BUT...and this is something that I just recalled...

Marshall ran a 3-3-5 his last couple of years, and sometimes he lined up at DE...but he would come off at the snap...the OLB would blitz inside of him and he would drift into coverage in the flats. I also saw him shift out to a 6 position and rush hard, same formation. He's was 6'2" 215/220 lbs in high school. I guess if he put up 10 or 15 lbs, he would be a light DE.
Funny too, there is an assistant coach at Marshall who coached Justin Rogers at his high school, and he told me nearly a year ago that he thought he was looking at Rogers' clone when he watched Smart play. I think the comment, off-hand and unscientific as it was, is interesting in light of where Justin is lining up.

[Bergermeister]

Any word/observations on OL Lucky Delay?

[westexSMU]

I am glad to here QB Zach Rhodes is "throwing well". I can tell you having watched this guy in High School, he is strong, fast and has a good arm. At 6-1 200+ and his SMU roster reporting 4.38 40 speed and 33" vertical leep, I would think Rhodes could play DB or WR also if Quarterback doesn't work out.

[PonySnob]

What about Burley (WR)? Didn't he tear up a knee at the "Pony Bowl" at the end of the season?

[PonyPride]

Yes, Phillip Burley injured a knee at the end of last season, and subsequently had surgery. I ran into him a few weeks ago, and he said he was very close to being cleared to do some light running (at the time he said his clearance would come "in a week or so"). He was at practice Thursday, dressed like his teammates, but I didn't see him do anything in the time I was out there. I'll look for him again today.

[PonyPride]

Any word/observations on OL Lucky Delay?

Strained hamstring, but says it's not serious.