Thursday (4/19/12) practice notes

[PonyPride]

Some notes from Thursday’s practice on the Pettus practice field:

• The passing game looked better Thursday than it did earlier in the week. One of the most impressive players was WR Kyle Guinyard, who made an array of acrobatic catches, some of which were made between multiple defenders. Early in seven-on-seven drills, Guinyard caught a high pass and held on while being knocked to the ground from behind by CB Chris Parks. Toward the end of practice, Guinyard snatched a short pass over the middle and beat two DBs to the sideline before racing upfield, showing nice acceleration for a guy with two knee surgeries on his medical r├â┬⌐sum├â┬⌐.

• If Guinyard’s catches weren’t the best of the day, the honor would have to go to WR Darius Joseph, who got behind LB Taylor Reed and jumped up high to make a twisting grab of a very high pass down the middle by QB Stephen Kaiser.

• Not every play to Guinyard was complete, of course. One of the nicest defensive plays of the day was turned in when CB J.R. Richardson leaped high over Guinyard’s outstretched hands on a deep post route and tipped the ball away … right into the waiting arms of SS Ryan Smith.

• FS Hayden Greenbauer also had an interception when he stepped in front of the receiver on a deep seam route to make an easy pick of a throw by QB Conner Preston. Whether the throw was off target or the receiver broke the route in a different direction, but Greenbauer was all alone when he made the interception, meaning the QB and WR somehow were not on the same page.

• RB Zach Line clearly is feeling better. Once again, he stepped in periodically during seven-on-seven drills, and at most caught short swing passes out of the backfield. But he is moving around well and seems to have a lot of bounce in his step. Officially shut down for the spring, defenders clearly are under instructions not to touch Line at all.

• The RBs did extensive blocking drills Thursday. As always, RB Billy Dugal looked solid as he stood up would-be pass rushers, but showing vast improvement as a blocker is RB Rishaad Wimbley. When he moved from NT to RB last year, Wimbley’s blocking technique basically amounted to relying on his considerable strength and pushing defenders away. Now, he has a much better understanding of blocking technique. "Blocking as a back is a taught skill," RBs coach Wes Suan said. "One thing Rishaad has is his work ethic - just look at how hard he worked to lose weight when he switched over to us (at running back). He has a great work ethic and pride for the game. We knew how strong he was when he got here, but we saw his ability to run, his gait, his stride length, and realized he has some quick-twitch muscle. He grew up as a defensive lineman, but he has really come a long way and really worked hard (since switching positions), and he is getting a lot better all the time. He’s still really strong, and once he gets his footwork and (blocking) technique better, he’s going to be an even better blocker."

• OT Ben Gottschalk said Thursday that he has been shut down for the rest of spring workouts. Gottschalk said earlier this week that he was hoping to receive medical clearance Wednesday afternoon to return to the practice field after resting and rehabilitating from a fractured L-3 (third lumbar) vertebrae in his back, but reported that doctors told him Wednesday that there’s no sense to rush back to the field with five spring workouts remaining. "They don’t want me to bend the wrong way and risk re-fracturing it," Gottschalk said. "I’ve started lifting again, but I’m doing light weights and no squats or anything - nothing that puts a huge strain on it. I want to make sure I’m ready for the summer and next season."

• WR Chayse Joubert left practice with a bag of ice on a groin he strained while running a deep pass route. Joubert said he had not yet received an estimate as to how long he might be out.

• WR Arrius Holleman (hand) didn’t practice again, but with three days off, is hoping to be back on the field next week.

[Harry0569]

Thanks PP.

It looks like we have a TON of talented young WRs. I can't wait to see what they can do when GG comes in.

[ojaipony]

Thanks PP!

How's KC Nlemchi looking? Seems to have a lot of promise coming out of high school before getting injured.

[Lefty]

Thanks for the reports, Pride. Great stuff.

That sucks about Ben G's back, but if it means he can go in August, it's the right thing to do. When in doubt, especially with back and spine injuries, err on the side of caution in the offseason.