Optional conditioning workout / 7-on-7 notes (7/2/12)

[PonyPride]

Players are on the field for seven-on-seven drills. Alums in attendance include former FS Chris Banjo and CBs Richard Crawford and Sterling Moore.

• QBs Conner Preston, Garrett Gilbert and Garrett Krstich have thrown a lot of passes to the sideline on intermediate out routes and are doing a great job of firing the ball over the sideline, where either the intended WR can make the catch or nobody will touch it.

• WR Jeremy Johnson, who has looked exceptional in the seven-on-seven sessions I have seen this summer, struggled a little at the start of today's session, dropping a couple of catchable passes. A third slipped through his hands in the end zone, but only after the fastball from Gilbert had been deflected by SS Ryan Smith.

• To the naked eye, QB Conner Preston's arm looks stronger, which underscores the raves he has earned for his dedicated offseason work in the weight room. He has been very accurate so far today, until a second ago when a pass intended for WR Kyle Guinyard was picked off by LB Jordan Miller after Guinyard slipped.

• Ever since he announced he was transferring to SMU, there has been a lot of talk about QB Garrett Gilbert, and at first glance (without coaching, pads or anything even remotely resembling hitting), the optimism is understandable. He's a big, strong guy who clearly has a strong arm and if nothing else, he knows how to throw sideline passes where only the WR will have a chance to reach the ball. What also is impressive is his ability to change speeds. On post routes and deep crossing routes, he drives through the throw, adding a few more MPH to his fastball, and on short passes (i.e. screens), he does a very nice job of taking something off his pass, almost floating the ball to its intended target so it's a catchable pass. The other QBs, Preston and Krstich, seem to be changing speeds more, too. Maybe the QBs are coaching each other (Preston and Krstich definitely are helping Gilbert learn the offense), or maybe it's their natural maturation as players, but all three have shown flashes of legit ability. More on Gilbert: on one play in the red zone, he didn't find an open receiver, so he tucked the ball and took off toward the end zone. After LB Kevin Pope resisted the urge to hit him, Gilbert spun into the end zone ... and calmly dunked the ball over the crossbar 10 feet above the ground.

• The specialists are out today. K Chase Hover has looked good on field goals out to about 40 yards, specifically in the fact that his kicks seem to be getting up high more quickly than they did last year. Meanwhile, P Mike Loftus has been averaging somewhere between 40 and 45 yards on punts.

• Presumably it isn't in the playbook: From the 5-yard line, Gilbert lobbed a pass up in to the end zone more softly than someone shooting a free throw, and at least 10 WRs and DBs went up for it. The ball was tipped a few times in the scramble, but WR Cole Loftin - who was lying flat on his back - made the catch before the ball hit the ground.

• For most of the incoming freshmen, Monday marked the first day of summer school, and several stopped by Ford Stadium. Those I could identify included OL Seaver Myers, OL Chauncey Briggs, QB Neal Burcham, DL Brian Cramer, DB Ajee Montes, LB Damien Neroes, OL Sam Rice, OL Christian Chamagua, DT Nick Reed, OL Chase Walling and WR Daijuan Stewart. There were others there, but this is what I can remember off the top of my head.

[Junior]

great stuff as always, PP

[SmooBoy]

Good golly, PP is getting us psyched for some football.

[ojaipony]

THANKS for these!!

Too bad we can't get video.

[PonyPride]

THANKS for these!!

Too bad we can't get video.

Is that a hint?

I promise the next day this summer that it dips below 75 degrees, I'll get out there with a video camera. Deal?

[Boston Pony]

Many thanks..particularly for those of us 1000's of miles away from campus

[lwjr]

Thanks PP, I wish I could swing by and watch. Ready for the season to start.

[Digetydog]

Many thanks..particularly for those of us 1000's of miles away from campus

There will be a Mustang BB game at Rhode Island this year.

[DiamondM75]

I promise the next day this summer that it dips below 75 degrees, I'll get out there with a video camera. Deal?

Is that Texan for "when hell freezes over"

[westexSMU]

Who is LB Jordan Miller ? Freshman or Transfer ?

[PonyPride]

I promise the next day this summer that it dips below 75 degrees, I'll get out there with a video camera. Deal?

Is that Texan for "when hell freezes over"

HA ... I was wondering who would catch that.

Who is LB Jordan Miller ? Freshman or Transfer ?

Walked on last year, originally as a wide receiver. Listed on SMUMustangs.com at 6-3, 215.