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Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

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Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby PonyPride » Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:29 pm

The last day with two practices began with a morning session that included officials to sharpen players on the way penalties will be called, and the most physical hitting thus far in camp.

• Since before camp started, defensive coordinator Tom Mason has said the defense has a renewed focus on creating takeaways, and it shows. Defensive players aren't merely tagging offensive players "down." On one early pass in seven-on-seven drills, WR Darius Joseph caught a crossing route over the middle, in front of LB Cameron Rogers, who reached out, wrapped his arm around Joseph's shoulder and neck and then hanging on for four or five steps while trying repeatedly to strip the ball ... which he eventually did.

• WR Terrance Wilkerson had a solid day, making several difficult catches. Maybe his best was in the same early seven-on-seven drills, when a pass was thrown several feet behind him when he was racing across the middle on a crossing route. Wilkerson, who was only about 10 yards across the line of scrimmage was able to hit the brakes, turn 180 degrees and dive back toward where he had been a moment before, snatching the pass just before it hit the turf.

• In the first round of 11-on-11 drills, Wilkerson showed maybe the best concentration of the day. One one play, he went over the middle, meeting the ball and two defenders at the same time. As he caught the ball, he absorbed a hit from one of the DBs, who popped the ball out of Wilkerson's hands. The ball floated up a little and rolled over the DB's helmet, only to have Wilkerson grab it again and take off upfield.

• WR Ace Holleman continues to impress. It's becoming more and more evident that with his size, speed, jumping ability and soft hands, he's going to be extremely difficult to cover on balls thrown high and on the sideline or in the back of the end zone. Success on such plays obviously depends a lot on how and where the ball is thrown, but if executed correctly, there are some throws that either will be reached by Holleman or will fall harmlessly out of bounds.

• One of the best catches of the day was turned in by WR Cole Loftin. One a short yardage play in the red zone, QB J.J. McDermott scanned the end zone, looking for an open receiver, but the defense had blanket coverage. At the last second, McDermott found Loftin camped out in the back of the end zone. Defensive pressure forced McDermott to throw a few feet wide of Loftin, who dug his heels in at the back of the end zone and telescoped his right arm straight out, snatching the ball with one hand (and earning howls of approval from his teammates).

• WR Darius Joseph had a big morning. He took some of the biggest shots of the day (more on that later), but also made some very nice receptions. On one play, QB Steve Kaiser fired a pass to Joseph about 20 yards downfield along the right sideline ... and between DBs Jeremy Gray and Hayden Greenbauer. Gray tipped the pass a few feet in front of Joseph, who still managed to make the catch before tumbling out of bounds.

• Moments later, Kaiser found Joseph again in double coverage. Joseph went up high to snare Kaiser's pass, coming down on the shoulders of a defensive back. Joseph slid off and landed on his head/shoulder, but held on to the pass and bounced up, unhurt.

• When the team went to full-contact 11-on-11 team drills, a few key starters (like QB Kyle Padron, RB Zach Line, etc.) didn't take part. A lot of backups got considerable time, including LB Randy McKinnon, who intercepted QB Steve Kaiser's pass on the first play.

• The defense apparently is paying more attention to knocking down passes, as well as creating turnovers. Several DLs got their hands up to knock down throws, including Margus Hunt, Cameron Smith and Beau Barnes.

• Several observers held their breath when WR Ace Holleman caught a pass over the middle and was crunched by three DBs, until he bounced up, seemingly no worse for the wear.

• The hit on Holleman was impressive, but the hit of the day came when Joseph caught a quick screen pass from QB Conner Preston. As he turned to look upfield for running room, CB Chris Parks flattened him behind the line of scrimmage.

• Joseph also got to dish out a little punishment. When WR Nyle Johnson turned a screen pass in the left flat into a 30-yard gain, it only happened because Joseph came back and buried a would-be tackler to spring Johnson.

• Several freshman DLs played well. Cameron Smith, Darrian Wright and Robert Seals all were credited with sacks (without bringing down the QBs — just getting to them before passes were thrown). Freshman DE Zach Wood has ample strength and quickness, and put both to use during the team drills, when he shed a blocker and shot through a gap to smother RB Bryce Lunday just as Lunday accepted the handoff. Lunday is pretty quick, and had zero chance to get away from Wood.

• Freshman CB J.R. Richardson has a lot of things coaches like: speed, change-of-direction, balance, strength ... and showed excellent closing speed Saturday morning. On one play, WR Luke Moffitt got behind Richardson on an out-and-up double move, but Richardson turned and found the ball in mid-air and caught up to Moffitt in just a few steps, going around the receiver (rather than climbing his back in front of the officials working practice) to knock the ball away.

• K Mike Loftus had an up-and-down morning. He hit 6 of 11 field goals, including several of more than 40 yards, but he missed a pair of 57-yarders and two more that were close to 50 yards.

• WR Bobby Waid (shin splints), RB K.C. Nlemchi (hip flexor) and DE Kevin Grenier (shoulder) remained out.

• The morning session ended almost a half an hour early, so the players could head to the Red Barr swimming pool.
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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby Higher Authority » Sat Aug 20, 2011 10:31 pm

I can't believe I ever wasted money on the pay sites. Thank you for these reports.

Sounds like Cameron Smith has been showing up a little more lately. I wonder if he'll get on the field this year.
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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby SMU 86 » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:27 am

I remember :D. For me pay sites are good for interviewing recruiting prospects and PF is good for team reports. Each have their place. Nice job this year PonyPride.
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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby Otto » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:45 am

So which true freshmen do you think will play this year? I'm not saying start — I don't think any will start, at least not right away, which is an indication of how far the program has come — just playing.

My guesses:

WR Arrius Holleman
CB J.R. Richardson
LB Jonathan Yenga
LB Stephon Sanders
RB Jared Williams
NT Darrian Wright (or Ridshaad Wimbley, but hopefully not both)
DE Cameron Smith
CB Daren Kitchen

That seems like a small number to me, but that's also very encouraging about our veteran talent. Anyone I'm missing?
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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby SMU 86 » Sun Aug 21, 2011 2:57 pm

Good list Otto. I do remember Coach Jones saying 10 to 15 might play this year.
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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby Hoofprint » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:04 pm

I'm loving the reports of the DLs playing tall with their hands up, knocking down passes.

The reports of the speed the young DEs are showing are encouraging, too.

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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby SMU 86 » Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:43 am

I thought Cameron Smith was playing LB?
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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby PonyPride » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:28 am

Nope. He has been working at DE.
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Re: Saturday (8/20/11) MORNING practice report

Postby friend10 » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:56 am

Will DE Beau Barnes the walk on from Friendswood get any playing time this year? He's about 250lbs now.
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