Friday (8/10/12) practice report
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 5:55 pm
• Defensive players squared off again in the big ring of players, with individual players being called upon to go one-on-one, either pinning the opponent or driving him out of the ring. Some of the more entertaining matchups:
- DEs Margus Hunt and Kevin Grenier made the ground shake a little when they faced each other, but the two were a fairly even match. Hunt eventually began to drive Grenier backward, but didn't get him all the way out of the ring, and neither player ended up on the turf.
- S Daniel Roundtree got paired up against CB J.R. Richardson, and initially showed an advantage in size (Roundtree is five inches taller and 15 pounds heavier), but Richardson was able to turn the tables, flipping Roundtree and dropping him on his back.
- CB Horace Richardson and Jeremy Gray battled - hard - to a stalemate.
- LB Lincoln Richard used his exceptional quickness to get the upper hand on LB Lincoln Schick, who then changed things around by twisting Richard's shoulders to get him off balance before driving him in to the ground.
- DE Andy McCleneghen (6-6, 255) got called to go against freshman Elie Nabushosi, who is listed as three inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter. McCleneghen got an early surge, knocking Nabushosi back a few steps, but the freshman dug his heels in and stopped McCleneghen's progress until defensive coordinator Tom Mason called the match a draw.
• Equally interesting was a drill in which the running backs and linebackers got together in a blitz/protection drill. The blocking star of the drill was RB K.C. Nlemchi, who turned away all of the pass rushers he faced. Sophomore Rishaad Wimbley also looked very strong; after getting burned by LB Damien Neroes, he bounced back to finish the rest of his reps with an otherwise unblemished record. Neroes was one of the more successful pass rushers, running through RB Billy Dugal (in addition to the play with Wimbley).
• When the defense split in to two units in order to have enough players to simulate a full offense and a full defense, there were a number of interceptions ... by linebackers. The nicest might have been turned in by freshman Lincoln Richard, who leaped over a falling running back to make the interception.
• It's no secret that the offensive line is something of a puzzle for the SMU coaches, who must replace all five starters from a year ago. That, coupled with OT Stavion Lowe working his way in to shape and back from a hamstring strain, and OG Jordan Free being shelved by a bulging disk in his back, have forced offensive line coach Bob Palcic to try multiple players at some positions. Center Blake McJunkin already has worked at center and guard, and when he slides over to guard, redshirt freshman Taylor Lasecki has gotten extensive work at center. Thursday marked the debut - at least during team (11-on-11) drills of true freshman Sam Rice at left guard, and he did not look even slightly overmatched. He has a lot to learn, but Rice, who is listed at 6-4 and 290 pounds, is very solid and held his ground against the Mustangs' defense.
• In the team drills, the defense was sharper than the offense. During one stretch, backup quarterbacks combined to throw interceptions on three consecutive plays. On the last one, LB Ja'Gared Davis jumped a route, tipped the ball to himself and took off for what would have been a sure touchdown.
• Appearing at his first practice: new SMU athletic director Rick Hart.
- DEs Margus Hunt and Kevin Grenier made the ground shake a little when they faced each other, but the two were a fairly even match. Hunt eventually began to drive Grenier backward, but didn't get him all the way out of the ring, and neither player ended up on the turf.
- S Daniel Roundtree got paired up against CB J.R. Richardson, and initially showed an advantage in size (Roundtree is five inches taller and 15 pounds heavier), but Richardson was able to turn the tables, flipping Roundtree and dropping him on his back.
- CB Horace Richardson and Jeremy Gray battled - hard - to a stalemate.
- LB Lincoln Richard used his exceptional quickness to get the upper hand on LB Lincoln Schick, who then changed things around by twisting Richard's shoulders to get him off balance before driving him in to the ground.
- DE Andy McCleneghen (6-6, 255) got called to go against freshman Elie Nabushosi, who is listed as three inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter. McCleneghen got an early surge, knocking Nabushosi back a few steps, but the freshman dug his heels in and stopped McCleneghen's progress until defensive coordinator Tom Mason called the match a draw.
• Equally interesting was a drill in which the running backs and linebackers got together in a blitz/protection drill. The blocking star of the drill was RB K.C. Nlemchi, who turned away all of the pass rushers he faced. Sophomore Rishaad Wimbley also looked very strong; after getting burned by LB Damien Neroes, he bounced back to finish the rest of his reps with an otherwise unblemished record. Neroes was one of the more successful pass rushers, running through RB Billy Dugal (in addition to the play with Wimbley).
• When the defense split in to two units in order to have enough players to simulate a full offense and a full defense, there were a number of interceptions ... by linebackers. The nicest might have been turned in by freshman Lincoln Richard, who leaped over a falling running back to make the interception.
• It's no secret that the offensive line is something of a puzzle for the SMU coaches, who must replace all five starters from a year ago. That, coupled with OT Stavion Lowe working his way in to shape and back from a hamstring strain, and OG Jordan Free being shelved by a bulging disk in his back, have forced offensive line coach Bob Palcic to try multiple players at some positions. Center Blake McJunkin already has worked at center and guard, and when he slides over to guard, redshirt freshman Taylor Lasecki has gotten extensive work at center. Thursday marked the debut - at least during team (11-on-11) drills of true freshman Sam Rice at left guard, and he did not look even slightly overmatched. He has a lot to learn, but Rice, who is listed at 6-4 and 290 pounds, is very solid and held his ground against the Mustangs' defense.
• In the team drills, the defense was sharper than the offense. During one stretch, backup quarterbacks combined to throw interceptions on three consecutive plays. On the last one, LB Ja'Gared Davis jumped a route, tipped the ball to himself and took off for what would have been a sure touchdown.
• Appearing at his first practice: new SMU athletic director Rick Hart.