Thursday (4/11/13) practice report

[PonyPride]

• Among those sitting out Thursday was CB J.R. Richardson, who said his surgically repaired knee was stiff and he just couldn't get it loose. He said he doesn't fear any structural damage, and sees no reason why he won't be back on the practice field next week.

• WR Keenan Holman looked really good Thursday, making several tough catches and getting behind the defense for a pair of deep touchdown catches in seven-on-seven drills. He also looks stronger, and said after practice he has added about seven pounds in the weight room over the offseason, bulking up to 190 pounds.

• Among the best catches of the day was turned in by A.J. Buffini, who caught a 40-yard touchdown strike from QB Neal Burcham despite having a defensive back draped all over him.

• Defensive coordinator Tom Mason has raved about his linebackers, insisting that the crew of Randall Joyner, Kevin Pope, Stephon Sanders, Rob Seals, etc., could be as good as those who just graduated (Cameron Rogers, Taylor Reed, Ja'Gared Davis). If those four players end up as the starters, the pecking order among reserves still is being sorted out, as numerous players - a list that includes players like Brandon Henderson, Derek Longoria, Jarvis Pruitt, Lincoln Richard, John Bordano, Rishaad Wimbley, etc. - rotated between the second and third team.

• Much has been made about the loss of the Mustangs' top four defensive linemen, and the departure of DEs Kevin Grenier and Margus Hunt, in particular, means the line will be smaller in 2013 ... but Zach Wood and Andy McCleneghen aren't exactly tiny (Wood is listed at 6-3, 265, and McCleneghen is listed at 6-6, 255). Those two, along with NT Darrian Wright (listed at 6-2, 290) showed considerable quickness and strength in team (11-on-11) drills to get into the offensive backfield on both running and passing plays.

• Injuries to cornerbacks like Horace Richardson, J.R. Richardson and Ajee Montes have forced some juggling in the secondary, so safety Troy Castle slid over to play corner in 11-on-11 drills, and even got an interception of a pass by QB Garrett Gilbert. But the pick wasn't Gilbert's fault. Castle made a very good leaping catch, and the receiver waited along the sideline without coming back toward the ball.

• Head coach June Jones talked this week about how well transfer RB Traylon Shead runs and changes direction, and how quickly Shead is picking up the Mustangs' offense. But don't forget that Shead also is exceptionally strong (while at the University of Texas, he tore a pectoral muscle trying to bench press 450 pounds). At one point Thursday, he caught a quick screen pass from Gilbert near the left sideline, and rather than step out of bounds, flicked away a DB with a straight-arm and kept his feet in bounds before racing up the sideline.

• LB Jonathan Yenga said his knee injury is more serious than initially believed. Initially thought to be a mild strain, Yenga said he has learned that he has a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). He said he was told the injury can heal through rest and rehabilitation, meaning surgery will not be required. But the injury will require about six weeks to heal, meaning his spring workouts are over.

• The Mustangs will not practice Friday, meaning players nursing mild injuries, like WR Arrius Holleman (hamstring) will have three days to rest. Holleman said Thursday his hamstring remains sore, and he hopes to return to the practice field next week, although he didn't predict a time for his return.

• The decision to move Ben Hughes from guard to center meant a move back to the position with which he is most familiar. Hughes played tackle in PeeWee football, and spent his sophomore year in high school as a blocking tight end, but other than that, he has played center almost exclusively.

"I'm definitely not starting from scratch," he said. "I played center before, so I know the position, and having been here for three years, I know the blocking schemes. I have to get down the calls that the center makes, but it's pretty familiar."

The move was made at least in part to provide the Ponies with a reliable backup behind starter Taylor Lasecki. Redshirt freshman-to-be Chase Walling, who had been working at backup center, has moved back to tackle - his high school position - and Hughes said Walling has been impressive in his first couple of days on the right side.

"He looks really good, like he has been out there a while," Hughes said of Walling. "He's a tall guy with long arms - he has the right frame to play there - and I think that's where he played in high school."

Hughes said he weighs 286 pounds now, and wants to get to 295 or 300 by the time preseason camp opens in August - a task that is harder than might be believed for a lineman, but Hughes said he still has a pretty high metabolism.

"It's kind of hard," he said. "If I don't eat really big meals, I will lose weight. I just burn up what I eat."

[SMU 86]

265 and 255 are pretty light for 3-4 defensive ends. I would be good if they were around 280-290 by August.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

That's a shame about Yenga...

[ALEX LIFESON]

265 and 255 are pretty light for 3-4 defensive ends. I would be good if they were around 280-290 by August.

McCleneghen is around 270.

[SMU 86]

265 and 255 are pretty light for 3-4 defensive ends. I would be good if they were around 280-290 by August.

McCleneghen is around 270.

Good, that means he only has about 10 lbs to gain before August.

[whitwiki]

Is Lowe around?

[ojaipony]

DE is by far the weakest link on this team now IMHO. Will have to get creative on the blitz packages and schemes to bring pressure. Good news it seems we have studs at OLB at least.

[Junior]

I liked Barnes last year. I think it's too early to say our DE's are up to par this year. I'm withholding judgment until we get past mighty Montana State.

[Scoops]

You laugh, but Montana State is no joke. Sure, we should win, but the idea that that game will be a laugher pretty far-fetched, from what I've read.

I liked Barnes, too, and I like the little I have seen about Wood, too. I'm not saying they'll be all-conference players, but I don't see them as a weak link, either.

[RGV Pony]

Wish wed have brought in any SWAC team

[knuckleup]

Love the depth of talent we now have. Seem like we strong on both sides of ball