Thursday (3/27) practice observations

[PonyPride]

Alumni in attendance: Zack Sledge, Tom Huemiller, Wilton McCray, Gerald J. Ford and Dave Richards

Catch of the day: Early in practice, backup quarterback Daniel Miller fired a pass out to the right on a short out route. Bradley Haynes slightly overran the route, and his feet slid a little when he turned back for the ball. Nonetheless, he reached out with one hand and snatched the TOP of the ball and pulled it in. No idea how he caught it, but it was very impressive.

Best adjustment: Everyone knows that being a good receiver involves more than hands and 40-yard dash times. Receivers have to be able to run crisp routes and adjust to the ball in flight. The best adjustment to the ball Thursday was made by Emmanuel Sanders. Miller fired a pass about 45 yards downfield, but it was several yards behind where Sanders was. Sanders curled around safety Seth Sloan and back to the ball, making the catch for a pickup of about 48 yards.

Interception of the day: With just a few minutes to go in practice, Logan Turner fired a pass that was a step behind Aldrick Robinson, who reached for it but wasn't able to pull it in. Instead, he tipped the ball up in the air, where Tyler Jones snagged it with one hand and took off toward the end zone.
• Runner-up: In the early minutes of practice, cornerback Tim Crosby stepped in front of receiver Jim Beckner to pick off a pass and basically walked the 10 yards to the end zone.

Drop of the day: Bryan McCann imitated Crosby's move, stepping inside a receiver to make an easy pick ... and dropped a pass that hit him right in the gut.

Patrick really is pretty Handy inside: At first glance, the decision to move senior-to-be Patrick Handy from defensive end in to defensive tackle is curious, to say the least. At a position where players who at least approach 300 pounds are the norm, Handy looks downright slim when he lines up his 6-foot-2, 256-pound frame inside. But he likely won't be as overwhelmed as many think. Handy has very long arms, and defies all logic by boasting the heaviest bench press of any player on the Mustangs' roster. With his arm length and strength, Handy should be able to keep many blockers at bay, creating at least enough separation to occupy them and keep them off linebackers. He also is probably the quickest defensive tackle on the team, and if he can keep blockers from lock on to him, should provide some pass rush from in the interior part of the line.

Increased pressure: The special teams "cover drill" that the Mustangs ran a couple of days ago, in which a return specialist would take off with the ball and try to juke a pair of would-be tacklers, got a bit more interesting Thursday, when the coaches sent four tacklers downfield, rather than two. Thankfully, they were merely getting in the right position, not gang-tackling the returners. No major hits. Best return of the day was by Aldrick Robinson, who shot up the middle and split both pairs of defenders before they had a chance to converge.

[Scoops]

Good stuff, Pride.

Also in attendance at practice: Santa Ana (Mater Dei) Calif. WR/DB Robert Mojica (5-10, 170 according to their school website).
First-team All-Orange County at strong safety and running back last year.

[NavyCrimson]

When I saw the name "Dave Richards" I thought that name was familiar. I think he was being interviewed on TV, too, after the DP. I found this article in the New York Crimes:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.h ... A961948260

S.M.U. PLAYERS ARE ON THE MOVE
By PETER H. FRANK, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: March 12, 1987

LEAD: ''Hello, this is the home of Ricky Roden and Ken Grant. Ricky is 6-1, 215, linebacker, 4.6 speed and Ken is 6-6, 250-pound defensive tackle. We're ex-S.M.U. football players. We're looking for a school to go to, so if you're a coach or recruiter, leave your name, a number and the school you're with and we'll get back in touch with you.

''Hello, this is the home of Ricky Roden and Ken Grant. Ricky is 6-1, 215, linebacker, 4.6 speed and Ken is 6-6, 250-pound defensive tackle. We're ex-S.M.U. football players. We're looking for a school to go to, so if you're a coach or recruiter, leave your name, a number and the school you're with and we'll get back in touch with you. Thanks a lot. Beep.''

The Southern Methodist football team is looking for somewhere to play next season. Many of the players will spend their spring break next week visiting other campuses, talking with coaches and conferring with parents and friends. Although about half a dozen of the top players have already committed themselves to high-ranking schools for next year, many are either weary from all the offers and phone calls or worried they will not be among the chosen.

''People want to go to a winner,'' said Jimmy Young, a 19-year-old freshman cornerback. ''They came here to go to a bowl and didn't get the chance. Everyone's going on recruiting trips.''

Young said he had not visited any school yet, but has a visit scheduled to Penn State in early April.

With schools attracted by the availability of experienced players, some S.M.U. football team members said they had been contacted by more than 60 colleges. During the two days following the Feb. 26 announcement that the National Collegiate Athletic Association had suspended S.M.U.'s football program next season, more than 130 coaches landed on campus to pick and choose from among S.M.U.'s 52 scholarship players. 'Dream Come True'

''The colleges have been faced with a dream come true,'' said Dave Richards, an offensive tackle, who together with Ben Hummel, a linebacker, has already committed to transfer to U.C.L.A. ''They'd made decisions that they regretted and they have some spots open. It's been a field day for them.'' Both highly recruited out of high school and again last month, Richards and Hummel have already withdrawn from S.M.U. and will start at U.C.L.A. on March 30.

Richards said that because he had prepared himself for the worst, when it was announced, ''Boom, boom, I could make a decision very quickly. Not many people get punished and get sent away to California.''

The decision on whether to stay at S.M.U. and possibly forgo their last year of college football, or to transfer and leave friends, and sometimes family, for the most part depended upon whether the player had aspirations to play professionally. Some said that because they only had a year left and would never make it in the N.F.L., there was no reason to leave.

But for those who dream of playing professional football, there is little choice but to move on. 'I've Never Been Away'

''I'm from Dallas,'' explained Darryl Terrell, a junior tailback with two years of eligibility remaining. ''It'll be an experience leaving. I've never been away.'' Terrell, who visited the University of Missouri last week, said he and another player, Franky Thomas, will be visiting the University of Hawaii next week. ''Guys will be completely spread out before this thing's over.''

Although no school or region of the country was clearly favored over any other, a few players said that their impression was that most of the team would like to stay in the Southwest Conference. So far, besides players have committed to U.C.L.A., Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, Baylor and Georgia. And though dozens of smaller schools were mentioned, Louisiana State, Texas Tech and Arkansas were most often thought to be likely recipients of many S.M.U. players.

Some players said they were considering a transfer to the University of Texas, apparently unaware that on Tuesday, the school's athletic director said they were not welcome there.

''That's O.K., '' said Barry Watters, the father of starting quarterback, Bobby Watters, who has spoken to a number of the top schools, including Notre Dame. ''It would be awful tough for an S.M.U. player to put on a Longhorn uniform.'' Want S.M.U. Degrees

A few of the players even said that they would be transferring away to finish their football playing elsewhere, but then hoped to return to S.M.U. to receive their degrees.

''I'm going to have to go wherever it takes me to play,'' said Robert McDade, a much sought-after defensive tackle, who said he would be the first in his family to graduate from college. ''But I'm going to transfer back after football. It means so much to me to graduate from here. It's what my father wants, and I made a promise.''

Other players had another reason for wanting to return.

''I love the school, I love the students and the faculty is really, really good,'' said Shon Nichols, a 21-year-old linebacker who last week committed to go to Baylor. ''What the alumni have done hurts, but I will always bleed red and blue.''

[ALEX LIFESON]

I knew the Nichols kid, he used to come and watch my band play after he went to Baylor. He said the top players in the locker room at Baylor, would often brag about their "hook up$"

[southerncomfort]

Ben Poynter was also at Thursday's practice looking smart in khakis and a green button up shirt!

[ponyboy]

Dave Richards is a friend a good guy. He's just moved back to Dallas and is an active participant in all things Mustang.

[NavyCrimson]

Fantastic! I remember living in Nashville at the time seeing him on national TV. They were interviewing quite a few players at that time.

When you look at college football today & compare it to then & prior years, there is no comparison. What happened back then pales to what happens today & the penalties are nothing more than a joke. Good for Richards.

[PonyPride]

Ben Poynter was also at Thursday's practice looking smart in khakis and a green button up shirt!

Damn - knew I forgot someone. Sorry about that.

Also - Carl Sewell was there with Gerald Ford.

[JagDad09]

Good comment about Bradley - he is looking like y'alls best receiver.

[FWMustangGirl]

Also - Carl Sewell was there with Gerald Ford.

Checking out the ROI.

[mustangbill67]

Dave Richards is a friend a good guy. He's just moved back to Dallas and is an active participant in all things Mustang.

Sat at a table with David at the pre-season football banquet last fall. A great guy and a big Mustang fan. He was a star at SMU who transfered to UCLA when DP closed down the program. Was drafted in the 4th round of the 1988 NFL draft and played 9 seasons.

[Dark Horse]

Also - Carl Sewell was there with Gerald Ford.

Checking out the ROI.

The what?

[Dark Horse]

Return On Investment?

[FWMustangGirl]

Return On Investment?

Yes. Their $$$ is what is running the practice.

[fan]

Dave Richards is a friend a good guy. He's just moved back to Dallas and is an active participant in all things Mustang.

I met David last year at a game and he is a great guy. His wife was also an athlete at SMU. I do believe David was an NFL all-pro offensive lineman and had a great NFL career. Great to have someone like that on board.