Monday (3/24) practice observations

[PonyPride]

Got by practice yesterday, and was too gassed from the basketball trip to write anything last night. So here are a few notes, albeit a day late:

Centers of attention: It has been assumed all along that Mitch Enright was entrenched as the starting center after a solid 2007 season, and that Andrew Robiskie is a capable backup. But at Monday's practice, there were four players snapping the ball: Enright, Robiskie, Bryce Tennison and Josh LeRibeus.

Position changes: Former tight end-turned-wide receiver Patrick Fleming is working with the defensive ends. Former defensive lineman Ben Goldthorpe is now playing running back.

(Special teams) Coach (Frank) Gansz holds court at the beginning of practice every day, running through an assortment of drills with the whole team: tackling, blocking, coverage, etc. One of the most amusing sights Monday was what he called his "coverage" drill. A return specialist gets the ball, and two others come charging downfield, trying to pinch him toward the sideline or converge on him in the middle of a small-model field. Some of the results:
* Tim Crosby faked outside and then turned back inside, trying to split Andrew McKinney and Patrick Handy - didn't work.
* Derrius Bell (5-10, 167) headed up the middle of the field until he saw the combined 587 pounds of Serge Elizee and Chris Parham coming at him. He turned and headed back downfield to get enough space to get around his would-be tacklers, and turned it up to another gear to get by them. (I'm guessing those two could inspire a lot of us to get upfield in a hurry.)
* Crosby also found another gear, getting around Ryan Moczygemba and Zac Thomas.
* Perhaps the most impressive tandem, in terms of a combination of strength and speed, was Youri Yenga and Adrian Dizer, who got downfield in a hurry and collared Rock Dennis.

Catch of the day: Zach Zimmerman ran up the right sideline for about 10-12 yards and then cut in across the middle. Logan Turner's pass was a little behind Zimmerman, and as he turned back toward it, his feet slid out from under him. Nevertheless, he maintained his concentration and had enough to reach back and snag the ball wall virtually lying flat on his back.

Quarterbacks continue to study offense: Braden Smith (Rockwall, Texas) and Winston Gamso (Highland Park) were in attendance again.

The other QBs...: Logan Turner and Zach Rhodes both looked pretty good in the limited time I spent watching. Rhodes' release appears to be much quicker than it was, although I'd guess Turner's is still a tiny bit quicker. Rhodes has more of a classic over-the-top delivery, and really steps into his passes, adding to the increased velocity on his passes. Turner seems to be one of those guys who can get rid of the ball from a number of different angles, slinging it from sidearm to a three-quarters release. The biggest QB in spring camp is Ross Hill, a 6-4, 210-pound redshirt freshman from Los Alamitos, Calif. He also has a strong arm, but throws from nearly a sidearm release just about every time. Rhodes clearly is the fastest of the group, followed by walk-ons Michael Morse and Daniel Miller.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Thanks for the report! I am gonna try and get by there today. Not surprised by Patrick Flemmings move, I had doubts about his speed at receiver. Young man is a good athlete, and works his butt off, I just hope he can help us somewhere.

[SMUFan]

Never had a problem with Fleming's speed - he gets downfield a lot faster than it looks like. One of those long-strider types. He has great hands, too, so he can play that spot. But I agree that defensive end might be a fantastic move for him. With his frame, he should be able to carry a ton more weight, although it will take a while to get it on his frame, I bet. But if you can flesh him out, say with another 30 pounds of muscle, you could have a real monster. Good speed, strong, very long arms - he might make a really nice DE.

Thanks for all the updates, PonyPride.

[George S. Patton]

I guess I haven't been following it too closely. Who is Ross Hill and when did we get him?

[SMUFan]

I guess I haven't been following it too closely. Who is Ross Hill and when did we get him?

Walk-on

[SMU21TCU10]

I have to come to Dallas the next few days and was wondering if there is a practice on Thursday or Friday and what time so i could atttend?

[SMU Football Blog]

I believe Thursday at 4pm

[PonySnob]

Will they practice on Saturday?