Monday practice report

[PonyPride]

MIA: Several players sat out Monday's practice, including RB Chris Butler (hip flexor), WR Chayse Joubert (knee), RT J.T. Brooks (knee) and WR Aldrick Robinson (hamstring). Butler said he hopes to be back on the practice field in a couple of days, and Joubert listed his return as "ASAP" ... although head coach June Jones speculated it might be about a week before Joubert returns. Jones also said he hopes to have Brooks back on the field soon, perhaps as soon as Wednesday, and said last week that he hopes Robinson can be back on the field by tomorrow or Wednesday.

Razor sharp: In stark contrasts to some other practices, in which the quarterbacks and receivers seemed to be a little off with their timing, the groups put on a clinic in skeleton passing drills (against no defense). At one point, they went 14 consecutive plays with just one incomplete pass — a number made far more impressive by the fact that on each play, there are four quarterbacks throwing to four different receivers.

Back in action: OG Josh LeRibeus was back on the field with his teammates Monday.

Fifth QB?: Secondary coach Derrick Odum — an outfielder on the baseball team when he played at the University of Utah — clearly harbors dreams of getting on a pitcher's mound. During a drill with the secondary, he had the DBs running at him full-speed, and he was throwing his best fastballs directly at them, simulating the speed of some passes they'll see in games. Most of his throws were right in the DB's gut or hands, but when he airmailed one, he missed by a mile.

Offense to defense: When a pass from QB Bo Levi Mitchell seemed headed into the waiting arms of CB Sterling Moore, WR Terrance Wilkerson turned into something of a defensive back, "jumping the route" to step in front of Moore and make the reception. He didn't pick up many yards, but coming back to the ball on a play like that prevented a sure interception.

Moore is more: Sterling Moore had one of the best practices of anyone Monday morning. He covered extremely well, and was exceptional when matched up with WR Brad Haynes. Three times, the ball went to Haynes — who at 6-3, 212, has five inches and 16 pounds on Moore — and three times, Moore got up to knock the ball away, including once when Haynes outreached him to make the catch, and Moore was able to knock it out of his hands before falling to the ground.

Creating space: One of the differences between the offense this year and where it was in its development at this time last year is in what the WRs do for each other. A year ago, players were learning routes and terminology, and at times, looked a little lost. This year, they not only run their routes better, but they're helping each other with the way they run their routes, such as when a receiver breaks off a route, drawing the DB with him, and another WR runs into the newly vacant space to make a reception. They haven't changed the routes from a year ago, but their timing, and the QBs' ability to read the change of targets in a given area, could add an element of production to the offense this year.

Catch of the day: QB Bo Levi Mitchell fired a deep pass down the left sideline to WR Zach Zimmerman on a fly route, and as S Jay Scott slowed up a little to avoid hitting him, Zimmerman made the catch — by pinning the ball to his thigh with one hand.

Presidential visit: Former President George W. Bush visited practice and talked to the team for a few minutes after practice.

Coach-speak: Some comments from Jones after practice:
• Jones said he is glad to have LeRibeus back on the field, calling the sophomore guard "one of the best players on the team.
• Jones said he expects TE Mario Walker to return to the team Wednesday, the first day of classes.
• Brooks' injury has allowed more reps for younger players, Jones said. The Mustangs' coach cited OT Bryan Collins as one player who has benefitted from the extra work, saying Collins "is going to be a player for us."
• Jones praised CB Sterling Moore, saying the JUCO transfer has had "a strong camp, and will push for (playing) time in nickel and dime" situations, as well as on special teams.

[PerunaPunch]

Pride,

Would you say things are starting to click?

[PonyPride]

To a degree, yes — particularly on defense.

The secondary looks better, in part because of the addition of JUCO transfer CB Sterling Moore. Bryan McCann and Derrius Bell are solid corners, and Moore gives the Mustangs a third CB who appears to be a capable player. In fact, while he might be a step slower than McCann, he is probably the best CB on the roster at the hand-to-hand combat in which CBs engage when they go up for passes. He's only 5-10, but he's strong and a very good leaper. At the safety spots, FS Chris Banjo is solid. The real question is what will be done at SS, where Rock Dennis appears to be leading for the starting role. He always was a good athlete, but appears to be taking better angles toward the ball-carrier this year. Bryce Hudman also looks good — he's the biggest safety on the team, and one of the fastest — but it appears the coaches are making sure there are other options there, because they plan to use Hudman at LB in some situations.

The linebackers appear to have made perhaps the biggest jump. Former OLB Pete Fleps seems comfortable after moving inside, and remains the quarterback of the defense. New OLBs Youri Yenga and Pat Fleming also are coming along well — some teammates have actually worked at tempering their enthusiasm when talking about how good Yenga might be at his new position — and the four freshmen are, if nothing else, much faster than their predecessors at the backup LB spots and more than willing to hit. Ja'Gared Davis and Taylor Reed, in particular, appear ready to challenge for some playing time this year.

Up front, the change is obvious, as the Ponies look completely different (read: "bigger and stronger"). True, NT Chris Parham isn't as big as Serge Elizee, but he's considerably quicker, and with the big DEs on either side of him, he should get some chances to take advantage of that quickness in one-on-one matchups with the opposing center. Some of the offensive linemen have raved about the Ponies' bigger DEs, particularly Taylor Thompson and Marquis Frazier, and continue to suggest that once he gets more comfortable in the sport, Margus Hunt could live up to all the hype surrounding his potential.

Do not misread this — I'm not suggesting that SMU has a world-beating defense yet. But there are some players whose growth and progress indicate that improvement is a real possibility.

[JasonB]

I've gotta say that after going to the scrimmage Satruday, the defense is way, way better than it was last year. Speed, depth, athletes, size, it is better in all phases.

[lwjr]

PonyPride, Thanks for the continued updates.

PONY UP!!!
JACK THE LUMBERJACKS!!!

[RGV Pony]

what became of Justin Smart? buried in the rotation at DE?

[PonyPride]

what became of Justin Smart? buried in the rotation at DE?

Backup DE at the moment

[PerunaPunch]

The roster has him listed at LB. In either case, whether he's tied up in the logjam at DE or LB, it's a good indicator of the program making progress when you have a two year starter -- remember, this kid STARTED at DE as a true frosh -- fighting for playing time.

[indianmustang]

nice work on the updates

[The PonyGrad]

Thanks, good stuff as usual.

[PonySnob]

Hopefully Aldrick's hamstring injury does not linger for the whole season. We definately need him to be 100%. Who appears to be the WR that is taking his place?

[ALEX LIFESON]

Zack Zimmerman is his backup, I think Al will be ok though.

[Alaric]

The roster has him listed at LB. In either case, whether he's tied up in the logjam at DE or LB, it's a good indicator of the program making progress when you have a two year starter -- remember, this kid STARTED at DE as a true frosh -- fighting for playing time.

It's a great indicator...the difference in talent from spring practice 2008 to now is obvious with casual observation. Of course, that doesn't mean we're going to out-talent anyone on the roster and we're still thin and young but it's a start.

[SmooBoy]

Hopefully, we will be named the youngest team in the nation again, 21-year streak intact.

[kull]

Hopefully, we will be named the youngest team in the nation again, 21-year streak intact.

i doubt that is accurate