Thursday practice report

[PonyPride]

The Ponies practice on the Pettus practice field Thursday morning, the first before they start two-a-days Friday.

Psychological warfare: When the team split into positional groups, the linebackers and defensive backs ran through a substitution drill in which different personnel groups ran on to the field and got lined up, and then subbed out without running a play. In addition to getting lined up in the right place, they were told to take the field loudly, cheering and high-fiving each other — if they didn't show enough enthusiasm when taking the field, they left the field and then returned ... more vocally. After practice, defensive coordinator Tom Mason said the theory was to counter the enthusiasm opposing offenses would show when taking the field after a takeaway or defensive stop against the Mustangs' offense.

Nose for the ball: Everyone who watched the Ponies in 2008 knows how fast then-DE Youri Yenga is when rushing the passer. But now that he has moved to a stand-up OLB position, from which he'll be able to take off without being locked up with an opposing blocker, Yenga should be able to show his speed even more. For example: in 11-on-11 drills, C Blake McJunkin's snap sailed wide of QB Braden Smith, who turned to chase the bouncing ball ... and Yenga got to the ball at the same time Smith did. Considering Smith starts 4-5 yards behind the line of scrimmage, and the fact that Yenga was coming from an outside position that required him to loop around the left tackle, his quickness to the ball was an indicator not only of his speed but also of his explosive acceleration and his closing speed as he nears his target, whether it's the ball or the QB ... or in this case, both.

Second line: The second-team offensive line might be starting to take shape. Freshman Bryan Collins took several snaps at LT, while LG Jordan Free and C McJunkin remained with the second unit, while Chris Atchison saw his first action of the preseason camp. Zach Boyd and Jimmy Chase rotated at second-team RT.

Costly catch? WR Aldrick Robinson is one of the team's most valuable players, and he ended up being pulled from practice after tweaking his hamstring. On the play on which the injury appeared to occur, Robinson showed more than his trademark speed. On a simple quick out in the flank, Robinson turned toward the QB and his leg appeared to buckle a little, but he stayed with the ball and reached out to snatch the reception.

Slight drop-off: Head coach June Jones said after practice that the offense took "a step backward" Thursday, in part because of several dropped passes. B.J. Lee had a catchable ball bounce up off his chest, and into the waiting arms of S Robert Mojica, and on the next play, Bradley Haynes got a couple of steps behind two defenders, only to drop a perfectly-thrown deep pass from QB Braden Smith.

New look: For the first time in this season's camp, SS Bryce Hudman took some snaps in a walk-up LB position. It was only 7-on-7 drills, but there were two other safeties (Rock Dennis and Chris Banjo) on the field at the time, and Hudman was moved to a spot over the end of the opposing offensive line (had an offensive line been on the field), where he'd be able to charge after the passer. With no blockers, Hudman didn't attack, but the positioning raised interesting possibilities about how opposing offenses will deal with him when he teams with either Youri Yenga or Pat Fleming to bring two speed rushers from the same side of the field.

Defensive play of the day: The Ponies didn't complete many deep passes Thursday, but they certainly ran more than they had in previous practices. On one play, WR B.J. Lee streaked down the left sideline, only to have freshman CB Jeremy Gray close the gap and leap up to knock the ball away. A deeper throw might have have been complete, but Gray's über-athletic breakup was the second such play in as many days.

Slow start: In 11-on-11 drills, the offense got off to an inauspicious start, fumbling on the first snap from scrimmage. RB Shawnbrey McNeal recovered.

Department of defense: While the offense struggled at times Thursday, the defense continued to make progress since the beginning of camp. In addition to Gray's play on the deep ball to Lee, the secondary made several nice breakups, and the LBs looked better in coverage. On one play, Fleming and Pete Fleps sandwiched WR Terrance Wilkerson, giving QB Bo Levi Mitchell no room to sneak his pass in to Wilkerson.

Flashes of speed: Once again, McNeal had very limited action with the offense, but it's more clear every day that his speed is going to create problems for defenses. On one sweep, CB Bryan McCann — who has excellent speed, himself — resorted to grabbing McNeal's facemask while steering McNeal out of bounds, and on another, S Tyler Jones got to McNeal in time to usher him over the sideline ... but not until McNeal had turned the corner and picked up about 15 yards.

[SmooBoy]

These reports are awesome and are much needed, as we have three weeks to still wait.

[indianmustang]

thanks for the report

[Harry0569]

Do you forsee McNeal getting most of the RB reps with the first team, and how do you feel like JJ will utilize him? Catch swing passes out of the back field, sweeps, or running straight downhill?

[PonyPride]

Despite what some rumors are suggesting, McNeal is not yet eligible to play. Word is going around (unconfirmed) that he has gained eligibility through SMU, but the NCAA has yet to hand down a ruling on his appeal for a waiver to skip sitting out a year, as is normal under NCAA regulations. There is precedent that suggests he could be granted that waiver, but there is no such thing as a sure thing, and head coach June Jones said this week that the NCAA ruling could come as late as the first week of September, leading up to the season opener against SFA.

With that said, McNeal has had a very limited role in practice thus far, and while he has shown flashes — his speed is exceptional, as advertised — I'd be surprised if Jones hands him the starting job until he earns it in practice. If the NCAA waiver doesn't come until a few days before the opener, that will be difficult, so until something changes there, Chris Butler remains the expected starter.

Whenever he does get on the field, how McNeal will be used remains something of a mystery. Partly because of the uncertainty around his eligibility, McNeal has done very little in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. When he has gotten in, he has caught quick screen passes and run a few sweeps to the sideline, where his speed can make him effective in open space, rather than running him up the middle where he obviously will take more of a pounding. If the Mustangs' passing game is effective enough that opposing defenses are forced to drop an extra linebacker back to help out in coverage, McNeal (or Butler or any other RB) could be effective between the tackles, where a small running lane could spring him into the secondary and allow him to turn on the jets. But initially, I would think the majority of his plays — whether running plays or passing plays — will be to the outside.

[Stallion]

I'll go ahead and disagree. The way to get a RB in "open space" in this offense is to run the delayed draw. That's where speed RBs get their yards in a 4 Wide Offense whether it is SMU in 2008, Houston under Briles or Texas Tech. Spread the field and the number of players that can catch McNeil if he can break the line are few. SMU's Running Game is a finesse running game and I don't think SMU's Offensive Line will be very effective on sweeps because they don't have the type of big Offensive Lineman who can knock players off their feet like say Texas Tech. When you run wide in a 4 wide offense you are running toward numbers ie. more DBs and since the RB is running sideways you let the defense players time to react. Next time you see Texas Tech spread their Offensive Line-look what the defense does to combat that-then focus on how many defenders are between the tackles or within 10 yards of the Center. Then you pop a Taureen Henderson through those gaps and the MLB is basically "on an Island" and has to be a great athlete to make the play. We didn't see enough of that last year because DeMyron Martin and the rest of the RBs didn't have the 'quick-first step" like McNeil does. But I bet if you looked back that's where SMU still made most of its big running plays even last year.

[SMU 86]

PP, I think McNeal was academically ineligible per SMU standards in the spring. The eligibility issue that Kate is talking about is internal SMU standards. I think everyone knows we are still waiting for the NCCA waiver for the transfer eligibilty. Just to clarify.

[One Trick Pony]

BJ ........

[kull]

I'll go ahead and disagree. The way to get a RB in "open space" in this offense is to run the delayed draw. That's where speed RBs get their yards in a 4 Wide Offense whether it is SMU in 2008, Houston under Briles or Texas Tech. Spread the field and the number of players that can catch McNeil if he can break the line are few. SMU's Running Game is a finesse running game and I don't think SMU's Offensive Line will be very effective on sweeps because they don't have the type of big Offensive Lineman who can knock players off their feet like say Texas Tech. When you run wide in a 4 wide offense you are running toward numbers ie. more DBs and since the RB is running sideways you let the defense players time to react. Next time you see Texas Tech spread their Offensive Line-look what the defense does to combat that-then focus on how many defenders are between the tackles or within 10 yards of the Center. Then you pop a Taureen Henderson through those gaps and the MLB is basically "on an Island" and has to be a great athlete to make the play. We didn't see enough of that last year because DeMyron Martin and the rest of the RBs didn't have the 'quick-first step" like McNeil does. But I bet if you looked back that's where SMU still made most of its big running plays even last year.

STALLION is right, the delayed draw is the bread and butter of a single back, 4 wide attack. We will have a simple running game, Tampa-left and Tampa-right (to attack the perimeter), tampa-middle, the delayed draw (with an occasional trap). In addition, expect the shovel pass, several slow developing RB screen/swing passes, and occasional use of the option in the redzone. If JJ decides to implement a Big Slot or H-back, things will get a little more complex, but that will only happen if the passing game is in synch. JJ had Graunke and Brennan running off of zone-read in certain situations.

[MustangLaxer]

chris butler is a stud athlete. i have no problem giving him the ball.

[RedTapestry]

Agreed. Butler was active in limited time last yr, good quickness and N-S running. Hope we see more of him this yr.

[papawasamustang]

I like Butler too. The ? with him is can he stay healthy.
McNeal & Butler is a very good combo. One we haven't seen around here for a while.
Anyone know how Padron & McDade are looking?

[SMU_is_bowling]

Thanks again for the report!!! keep em coming and Go Mustangs!


9/5/09 is oh so close!

[KnuckleStang]

Great report, again. Thanks!

[SMU 86]

I can't hardly wait until the season starts.