Notes from Saturday's season-opening practice

[PonyPride]

The SMU football team gathered Saturday morning at SMU's Pettus practice field for the first practice of the 2010 preseason.

The Mustangs spent nearly the first hour inside, meeting with coaches, before emerging for their first workout. They spent about 45 minutes going through some basic drills — passing and catching for the quarterbacks and receivers, walking through assignments for the linemen, etc. — before breaking up for some conditioning running. The number of runs for each player was determined by the amount of time spent working out with the team during the Mustangs' voluntary conditioning sessions over the summer.

Some notes:

• During spring drills, Kyle Padron and J.J. McDermott were the only quarterbacks in camp, forcing the coaches to ask former quarterback Braden Smith — who now is working out at linebacker — to step in for some throws, in an effort to reduce the strain on Padron's and McDermott's throwing arms. Smith can now stick to learning his new position because the Ponies had five quarterbacks on the field Saturday: Padron, McDermott, freshman Steve Kaiser, freshman Bill Embody (6-0, 180) from Tampa (Carrollwood Day School), Fla.) and freshman Ryan Foster (6-1, 170) of Plano (Plano East), Texas.

• Visibly absent were nose tackles Jimmy Chase, who reportedly has decided to transfer, and Torlan Pittman, who is awaiting reinstatement to the team while his legal situation is being worked out. Head coach June Jones said Pittman remains a student at SMU and is free to train on his own, but said Pittman's legal affairs must be in order before he can be reinstated.

• With the depleted numbers at the nose tackle spot, Jordan Favreau has been moved from offensive guard to nose tackle (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46718).

• Several players look visibly bigger and stronger than they did a year ago, including Padron and wide receiver Chayse Joubert, each of whom has put on between 20 and 25 pounds since last season.

• In one passing drill, in which the receivers were asked to shed "defender" Jeff Reinebold and run a simple crossing route, a couple of freshmen showed a case of the drops. Keenan Holman and Der'Rikk Thompson were among those who dropped catchable passes, resulting in a self-imposed punishment of push-ups. Each redeemed himself with impressive receptions before the session was over, including a pair of one-handed grabs by Holman.

• Seeing wide receiver Jeremy Johnson take the field was a little strange. He is wearing the No. 17 jersey graduated star (and current Pittsburgh Steeler) Emmanuel Sanders, and they even look alike — not facially, but in terms of their size and smooth athleticism. Cornerback Sterling Moore singled out Johnson (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46715) for the work he has put in while making the adjustment from high school quarterback to college receiver.

• The players worked out with helmets that carried no Mustang logos. One explanation: "we haven't done anything yet this year to earn them."

• Cornerback Sterling Moore watched much of the session in an effort to protect a turf toe. He said after the session (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46715) that he can run OK in a straight line, but struggled with cutting and turning.

• When the team broke up by position for conditioning runs, some guys consistently led their groups: freshmen Chris Parks and Keenan Holman ran in a group of receivers and defensive backs and regularly finished at or near the front of their group; Aaron Davis, Taylor Thompson and Josh Emshoff were consistently in front among the linemen; and Byron Brown, Youri Yenga, Pete Fleps and Braden Smith led the linebackers (a group that also included Kyle Padron, who generally was close to the leaders).

• More than 100 fans turned out to watch the first practice. Among those in attendance was former SMU defensive tackle Evan Huahulu.

• Many teams yell something in unison when they gather for a final message from a coach or team captain, blurting out "Team!" or something as they break at the end of practice. The Mustangs' exclamation at the end of Saturday's practice: "Conference champs."

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great stuff.
thanks.

[that's great raplh]

Nice

[PerunaPunch]

We sure could use Big Evan back. I saw him and was wondering if that was really him. He'd solve the size issue and depth at NT and then some.

[RE Tycoon]

I'm not breaking any news here, but Thompson looked huge, massive actually. He is even bigger than last year. I don't think I've ever seen forearms that big.

[PonyPride]

Not true, actually. I ran into Taylor last week, and he said he actually has shaved off 8-10 pounds (he said he got as heavy as 285 last year) in an effort to increase his quickness.

Must be working, as he was flying through the conditioning runs today. Spike (Aaron Davis) was among the leaders on most of them, but on one of the later runs, Taylor must have had a lead of 20 yards on the other linemen. Better yet, he looked like he wasn't even pushing it. I assume he was sweating, but that's because it was eleventy billion degrees out there. If he can run like that in the second half of games this year, quarterbacks are going to start showing up on the endangered species list.

[cutter]

If he can run like that in the second half of games this year, quarterbacks are going to start showing up on the endangered species list.

yes, if the whole team stays that well-conditioned, I can't wait to see how 2nd halfs and 4th qtrs turn out.
very cool.

[ponyscott]

Wow..thanks for the update as I missed going out there today....good news on Thompson as he is such a beast with a huge heart. Wish Evan had a change of heart as we could use some depth at NG.

[Hey June]

This stuff is why you guys dwarf the competition.
Actually, you have none. Look forward to the next report.

[The PonyGrad]

Not true, actually. I ran into Taylor last week, and he said he actually has shaved off 8-10 pounds (he said he got as heavy as 285 last year) in an effort to increase his quickness.

Must be working, as he was flying through the conditioning runs today. Spike (Aaron Davis) was among the leaders on most of them, but on one of the later runs, Taylor must have had a lead of 20 yards on the other linemen. Better yet, he looked like he wasn't even pushing it. I assume he was sweating, but that's because it was eleventy billion degrees out there. If he can run like that in the second half of games this year, quarterbacks are going to start showing up on the endangered species list.

I just remember him at the end of the UTEP game last year when he gave the last ounce of energy and came up with big sacks.

[Uncle Bill]

Wow..thanks for the update as I missed going out there today....good news on Thompson as he is such a beast with a huge heart. Wish Evan had a change of heart as we could use some depth at NG.

I know Banjo is a great leader, but Thompson really leads by example and he always seems to leave it all on the field. Can't wait to see him this year!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

If he can run like that in the second half of games this year, quarterbacks are going to start showing up on the endangered species list.

yes, if the whole team stays that well-conditioned, I can't wait to see how 2nd halfs and 4th qtrs turn out.
very cool.

Yes. SMU should dominate 4th quarters this season.