First of all some housekeeping- I have seen Steven Montgomery mentioned in other threads. He has not practiced in any capacity so far this spring. He is out with a torn pectoral muscle.
A lot of big time media talent was in attendance at today’s practice. Dinardo, Griffith and Mason from BTN were there.
Ra’Shede Hageman remains in a brown jersey, but- he’s no longer the only DT in brown- Eric Jacques is now in the Lopher jersey as well. Malcolm Moulton has gone back to a regular jersey.
Brock Vereen went from the green, partial participation jersey to an orange, out, jersey.
The entire defense spent a few periods early in practice quickly rotating between a tackling drill, an interception drill, a batting down passes drill and one where they avoid cut blocks.
The DBs might be the most improved unit on the team in 2012. Michael Carter is significantly improved from a year ago and Derrick Wells and Jeremy Baltazaar have improved a lot over their first five practices this spring. The DBs practice their back pedal and breaks with rubberbands around their ankles- to keep them low and keep their feet under them?
It was breezy at practice today and that affected some of the accuracy on long passes, but- I continue to be impressed with MarQueis Gray’s accuracy. He has improved a lot from a year ago. In the pass shell- #5 had consecutive completions over the middle to Fruechte and Cesario. Both were perfect strikes.
A really athletic play was made by Pete Westerhaus in the pass shell, when he stepped in front of a MarQueis gray pass and made a leaping, two-handed stab at the ball and deflected, nearly intercepted, it.
The wide receivers and defensive backs spent a lot of time working against each other on one end of the field while the offensive and defensive fronts went at it on the other. The 9 on 7 drill included some of the first big hits of the spring.
The first team OL was impressive. Big holes for Cobb and Gillum in the run game. The second team OL didn’t fare as well- especially when matched up on the first team DL. Ra’Shede Hageman was nearly unblockable for much of today’s practice. On one play he exploded through the line and put a devastating hit on Gillum. Gillum flopped to the ground and the entire team let out a big OOOOOOHHH.
David Cobb made a great vertical cut behind the solid blocking of the first team OL and went untouched up the middle. Cobb also had a fumble during the team scrimmage when he was stripped by Derrick Wells.
One thing that stands out to me is that none of the running backs are particularly quick. No one is a quick to, and through, the hole as Duane Bennett was a year ago. We have some big strong runners, but- we lack a quick player that explodes through the hole.
In the pass shell CJ Cesario caught a perfect fade deep down the sideline from Max Shortell. Shortell was up and down today, he hit on a few passes, but- drew a lot of negative attention for some mistakes.
Ra’Shede Hageman absolutely destroyed Sean Ferguson on a play to disrupt a run in the backfield. However Ra’Shede drew a long talk with Coach Kill during practice and the entire DL got a long and loud tongue lashing after practice from their head coach.
Without a doubt- the two most surprising players this spring are Hageman and Michael Carter. Both players look fast and athletic. Maybe continuity of coaches is as important as Coach Kill would have us believe.
Marcus Jones had a few drops in practice today, causing him to do a lot of pushups between reps. Marcus did show his wheels today during pass shell- he caught a short Gray pass on the right side, out of a bunch formation, and immediately turned it vertical. He is clearly the fastest guy on the field.
After a fumbled exchange between Shortell and Cobb, the coaching staff let know that it was his fault and quickly pulled him in favor of Phillip Nelson. Phillip had a few nice throws, despite the windy conditions. #9 hit Cesario on a seam route with a perfectly placed ball.
Rabe had a nice catch in the team portion.
Michael Carter continues to impress, he deflected a pass in the pass shell, and was frustrated that he didn’t intercept it.
Thoughts-
Green played opposite DCT at first team WR.
MarQueis Gray has improved A LOT from a year ago. His throws from the pocket are good and his accuracy on the roll-out is very impressive.
Gillum runs with a downhill lean, and could be a tough player to bring down.
Alipate appears to be catching on to TE and is getting more reps in team drills.
Snaps have been generally good, although- Christenson struggles at times.
Jephete Matilus hits hard and hits often. He is a tough player.
Our second team LBs- Matilus, Edwards and Manuel are fast. (and that’s an understatement!)
Cole Banham is quick and runs hard, but- he’s very very small.
Dan Orseske was booming high punts with very good distance in practice (with the wind at his back), but- even more noteworthy was his consistency.
With Epping and Olson at OGs- we might have the best set of pulling guards in the conference. Both are athletic and fast.
Theiran Cockran used his speed to stop a few QB runs in the backfield in the team drill. He is very very quick off the ball.
Scott Ekpe appears to be up to second team DT. Not bad for a 17 year old.
Maxx Williams was in attendance again- that guy watches more practice than I do.
Jack Lynn was also taking in practice.
A lot of big time media talent was in attendance at today’s practice. Dinardo, Griffith and Mason from BTN were there.
Ra’Shede Hageman remains in a brown jersey, but- he’s no longer the only DT in brown- Eric Jacques is now in the Lopher jersey as well. Malcolm Moulton has gone back to a regular jersey.
Brock Vereen went from the green, partial participation jersey to an orange, out, jersey.
The entire defense spent a few periods early in practice quickly rotating between a tackling drill, an interception drill, a batting down passes drill and one where they avoid cut blocks.
The DBs might be the most improved unit on the team in 2012. Michael Carter is significantly improved from a year ago and Derrick Wells and Jeremy Baltazaar have improved a lot over their first five practices this spring. The DBs practice their back pedal and breaks with rubberbands around their ankles- to keep them low and keep their feet under them?
It was breezy at practice today and that affected some of the accuracy on long passes, but- I continue to be impressed with MarQueis Gray’s accuracy. He has improved a lot from a year ago. In the pass shell- #5 had consecutive completions over the middle to Fruechte and Cesario. Both were perfect strikes.
A really athletic play was made by Pete Westerhaus in the pass shell, when he stepped in front of a MarQueis gray pass and made a leaping, two-handed stab at the ball and deflected, nearly intercepted, it.
The wide receivers and defensive backs spent a lot of time working against each other on one end of the field while the offensive and defensive fronts went at it on the other. The 9 on 7 drill included some of the first big hits of the spring.
The first team OL was impressive. Big holes for Cobb and Gillum in the run game. The second team OL didn’t fare as well- especially when matched up on the first team DL. Ra’Shede Hageman was nearly unblockable for much of today’s practice. On one play he exploded through the line and put a devastating hit on Gillum. Gillum flopped to the ground and the entire team let out a big OOOOOOHHH.
David Cobb made a great vertical cut behind the solid blocking of the first team OL and went untouched up the middle. Cobb also had a fumble during the team scrimmage when he was stripped by Derrick Wells.
One thing that stands out to me is that none of the running backs are particularly quick. No one is a quick to, and through, the hole as Duane Bennett was a year ago. We have some big strong runners, but- we lack a quick player that explodes through the hole.
In the pass shell CJ Cesario caught a perfect fade deep down the sideline from Max Shortell. Shortell was up and down today, he hit on a few passes, but- drew a lot of negative attention for some mistakes.
Ra’Shede Hageman absolutely destroyed Sean Ferguson on a play to disrupt a run in the backfield. However Ra’Shede drew a long talk with Coach Kill during practice and the entire DL got a long and loud tongue lashing after practice from their head coach.
Without a doubt- the two most surprising players this spring are Hageman and Michael Carter. Both players look fast and athletic. Maybe continuity of coaches is as important as Coach Kill would have us believe.
Marcus Jones had a few drops in practice today, causing him to do a lot of pushups between reps. Marcus did show his wheels today during pass shell- he caught a short Gray pass on the right side, out of a bunch formation, and immediately turned it vertical. He is clearly the fastest guy on the field.
After a fumbled exchange between Shortell and Cobb, the coaching staff let know that it was his fault and quickly pulled him in favor of Phillip Nelson. Phillip had a few nice throws, despite the windy conditions. #9 hit Cesario on a seam route with a perfectly placed ball.
Rabe had a nice catch in the team portion.
Michael Carter continues to impress, he deflected a pass in the pass shell, and was frustrated that he didn’t intercept it.
Thoughts-
Green played opposite DCT at first team WR.
MarQueis Gray has improved A LOT from a year ago. His throws from the pocket are good and his accuracy on the roll-out is very impressive.
Gillum runs with a downhill lean, and could be a tough player to bring down.
Alipate appears to be catching on to TE and is getting more reps in team drills.
Snaps have been generally good, although- Christenson struggles at times.
Jephete Matilus hits hard and hits often. He is a tough player.
Our second team LBs- Matilus, Edwards and Manuel are fast. (and that’s an understatement!)
Cole Banham is quick and runs hard, but- he’s very very small.
Dan Orseske was booming high punts with very good distance in practice (with the wind at his back), but- even more noteworthy was his consistency.
With Epping and Olson at OGs- we might have the best set of pulling guards in the conference. Both are athletic and fast.
Theiran Cockran used his speed to stop a few QB runs in the backfield in the team drill. He is very very quick off the ball.
Scott Ekpe appears to be up to second team DT. Not bad for a 17 year old.
Maxx Williams was in attendance again- that guy watches more practice than I do.
Jack Lynn was also taking in practice.
