THURSDAY PRACTICE notes

[PonyPride]

Short report today. Got there late because of other obligations.

• A pattern is forming: Once again, this afternoon's practice is closed. In fact, from here on out, ALL afternoon practices are closed, unless announced otherwise.

• Zebra sighting: Eight officials worked Thursday's practice, making calls on plays in seven-on-seven drills and full-team scrimmage situations. Pretty standard stuff: pass interference, holding, out of bounds, etc.

• Get out of the way: if DeMyron Martin was the running star Wednesday, that honor went to Andrew McKinney today. The fifth-year senior got a lot of carries late in the morning session, blasting through would-be tacklers, including one play when he ran over two DBs at the same time (didn't see who they were).

• Bennie ... has the jets: At his listed size of 6-foot-4, 263 pounds, McKinney has an advantage of six inches and 59 pounds over the listed size for transfer DB Bennie Thomas. But when McKinney caught a quick screen pass and turned upfield, Thomas didn't back down. Instead, he built up a head of steam, got down low and submarined McKinney. It wasn't the picture-perfect tackle that bigger defenders make at times, but it was very effective.

• Catch of the day: Maybe it's a hollow "award" today, since I missed part of practice, but freshman wide receiver Cole Beasley made a sensational grab late in the morning session down the left sideline. The ball snaked in between the outstretched arms of De'Von Bailey and Chris Castro to Beasley, who maintained his concentration on the ball, made the catch and still had the presence of mind to get his feet down in bounds.

• Non-catch of the day: Moments after Beasley's grab, Braden Smith fired a deep ball down the right sideline to E.J. Drewery, who used all of his height and long arms to go up and get it with a twisting catch. The official behind him out of bounds, but it still was a hell of a catch.

• Faces in the crowd: On the sideline during Thursday's practice ... former Texas A&M and Mississippi State coach-turned-TV guy Jackie Sherrill.

• Anonymous face in the crowd: It's hard to be anonymous at seven feet tall, but Maverick-turned-Laker center D.J. Mbenga worked out on campus Thursday.

[Mustangsabu]

what do you mean "other obligations"? How could you? Are you cheating on us?

[jtstang]

Are you discerning any QB getting more snaps than the others? Who's spending the most time with the mythical "first team" offense?

[PonyPride]

Until today, it was Willis. In my limited time out there today, though, I would say Turner got the most snaps. Probably threw the ball better than the rest today, too, but again - I saw a limited portion of practice.

[jtstang]

Interesting...

[KnuckleStang]

• Faces in the crowd: On the sideline during Thursday's practice ... former Texas A&M and Mississippi State coach-turned-TV guy Jackie Sherrill.

Did he castrate an owl in front of the team?

[PonyPride]

• Faces in the crowd: On the sideline during Thursday's practice ... former Texas A&M and Mississippi State coach-turned-TV guy Jackie Sherrill.

Did he castrate an owl in front of the team?

HA - that's EXACTLY what I said to someone I was talking to .... and he didn't get the reference at all..... Good call, Knucklestang.

[George S. Patton]

• Faces in the crowd: On the sideline during Thursday's practice ... former Texas A&M and Mississippi State coach-turned-TV guy Jackie Sherrill.

Did he castrate an owl in front of the team?

Things that make you go hoot!

[Otto]

Even your abbreviated reports are excellent.

[FWMustangGirl]

• Faces in the crowd: On the sideline during Thursday's practice ... former Texas A&M and Mississippi State coach-turned-TV guy Jackie Sherrill.

That can't be a good thing.

[Vitale]

Add me to the list of folks who can't get through the day without your reports. Looking forward to the next one.