Saturday morning scrimmage report

[PonyPride]

The team went through about 90 minutes of stretching and position drills before scrimmaging (with game officials).

Slow start: QB Bo Levi Mitchell's first two passes in 7-on-7 drills were intercepted and returned for touchdowns — the first by LB Chase Kennemer and the next by SS Rock Dennis. DB Brett Haness also returned an interception for a score when he picked off a pass from QB Kyle Padron. Good start for the defense, and the QBs sharpened up through the day.

Midseason form?: Field goals were limited — K Matt Szymanski only kicked three times, and they were all pretty short. Two were from 25 yards, and then a third from 35 yards. All three were right down the middle of the uprights; the first two cleared the netting behind the pipes and landed on the patio outside the Meadows Museum, and the third (35-yarder) came within a couple of feet of clearing the net.

Fast returns: RB Shawnbrey McNeal and CB Bryan McCann served as kickoff returners. McCann had the best return of the day, breaking through a gap on the right side and taking off up the right sideline.

Shortstop in training?: WR Justin Willis made perhaps the best catch of the day on special teams, when he raced forward to field a short punt, sliding on the ground and making a smooth grab off a short hop.

Hit of the day: Freshman LB Ja'Gared Davis has opened a lot of eyes — including head coach June Jones' — with his speed and hitting ability in preseason camp, but he was on the receiving end of one of the most violent hits of the day when ILB Brandon Henderson, chasing the ball-carrier from behind, crashed into Davis, who was in on the tackle. Davis was bent backward over the pile of players, but bounced up, unhurt.

New line: With starting RT J.T. Brooks (knee) and backup OT Zach Boyd (back) sitting out, the offensive line including some new faces. The starters were LT Kelvin Beachum, Jr., LG Jordan Free, C Mitch Enright, RG Bryce Tennison and freshman Bryan Collins in Brooks' RT spot. The second unit had LT Josh Emshoff, LG Jordan Favreau, C Blake McJunkin, RG Joey Fontana and Kelly Turner in Boyd's backup RT spot. Over the course of the morning, Favreau and Fontana switched back and forth at both guard spots.

Bumps and bruises: RB Ryan Moczygemba came up limping after one play, and said after practice his knee is sore, but doesn't expect to miss any time. WR Chayse Joubert twisted his knee, ending his day prematurely, but also said he anticipated a quick return.

Scout's honor: A scout from the Carolina Panthers was in attendance Saturday morning.

Star-turned-fan: In attendance at the scrimmage — as he has been at many preseason practices — was former star quarterback Lance McIlhenny.

[SMU 86]

Nice info pp.

[kull]

[indianmustang]

good to see more scouts
any idea who else they are looking at beside AR,ES

[JasonB]

I was there this morning.

Secondary and linebacker have been upgraded significantly from last season.

Davis and Henderson will be starting at some point this season. They both look like real linebackers.

I know we were down two players, but the oline did not have a good day. The defense significantly out-pancaked the offense. T Thompson was an absolute beast and manhandled Collins a significant number of times. I really like what we have at the skill positions, but unfortunately I think the weakness of the team might be at o-line... just not mature enough yet.

[that's great raplh]

go ponies

[DallasDiehard]

I was there this morning.

Secondary and linebacker have been upgraded significantly from last season.

Davis and Henderson will be starting at some point this season. They both look like real linebackers.

I know we were down two players, but the oline did not have a good day. The defense significantly out-pancaked the offense. T Thompson was an absolute beast and manhandled Collins a significant number of times. I really like what we have at the skill positions, but unfortunately I think the weakness of the team might be at o-line... just not mature enough yet.

I was there, too, and while I agree with much of what you said, I'm not sure Henderson will start. Davis — yeah, I see that. Henderson, I think, will be a key reserve this year. I also was really impressed with Taylor Reed. We haven't had linebackers who can run like this in years.

Collins will be OK, but you're right about him getting pushed around by Thompson. Collins needs to get a lot stronger, and if Brooks isn't healthy, he needs to add that strength really quickly.

[SmooBoy]

PP, ya make us feel like we are there.

[giacfsp]

PP, ya make us feel like we are there.

Couldn't agree more. You guys are the best at what you do, and it's not close.

[PerunaPunch]

T Thompson was an absolute beast and manhandled Collins a significant number of times. I really like what we have at the skill positions, but unfortunately I think the weakness of the team might be at o-line... just not mature enough yet.

Collins will be OK, but you're right about him getting pushed around by Thompson. Collins needs to get a lot stronger, and if Brooks isn't healthy, he needs to add that strength really quickly.

In many ways, the team appears to be shaping up into a real football team. I think what JasonB is perceiving, is not so much a weakness in Collins but the fact that this YOUNG team is still a couple of years away from having sufficient depth. This is, probably always is, especially evident on the O-line, which should be built on upperclassmen who've benefitted from years in the weight room, training table and working together. Although to be fair, we trotted out a really young O-line last year who I thought did fantastic given their relative youth versus their opponents.

I look at the first team and a half on paper, and really like what I'm seeing. Especially if McNeal is cleared to play and we can add that weapon to the offensive arsenal. As somebody mentioned, getting LeRibeus back would be quite a boost. Hope he's in football shape.

[PerunaPunch]

Before anyone chimes in, yeah, I know we don't have a training table... But that doesn't mean that our OLs shouldn't be benefitting from one.