Today’s Herd practice session can be summed up with one
word, physical. As the second week draws to a conclusion, tempers are short and
contact continues to increase each day.
“The guys are anxious to play somebody else,” head coach Doc
Holliday said.
Today was by far the most physical practice that has occurred
since camp started. Maybe it’s the weather or a crazy super moon, but tempers
today were a ticking time bomb that exploded.
Sinclair lays the
smack down on the turf
Before today’s team stretching started, strength and
conditioning coach Scott Sinclair decided to inject some energy into the
portion of practice that sucked the life from the teach yesterday. With the
players lined up in the end zone, Sinclair dropped the ‘People’s Elbow’ twice
on the new turf at the Joan before delivering two thunderous Ric Flair like
foot stomps. The players were amped by the display of Sinclair as the energy
continued to stay high the entire session.
Things are getting
deep
During the first set of 11-on-11 drills, the first team
offense consisted of Devon Johnson in the backfield with Tommy Shuler, Angelo
Jean-Louis and Davonte Allen at wide receiver and Eric Frohnapfel at tight end.
Deon-Tay McManus also ran some reps with the ones at tight end.
Second team reps went to Stew Butler in the backfield with
Deandre Reaves, Demetrius Evans and Craig Wilkins at receiver and Joe Woodrum
at tight end.
The defense also ran its ones during a scout offense. Ra’Shawde
Myers and Armonze Daniel worked at defensive end with James Rouse and Jarquez Samuel
at defensive tackle. The linebackers were DJ Hunter, Jermaine Holmes and Evan
McKelvey while Corey Tindal, AJ Leggett, Taj Letman and Keith Baxter made up
the secondary.
Devon brings the
thunder
It will be interesting to see how teams attack Johnson when
trying to tackle the 243-pound back. One thing that is clear from camp, arm
tackles and going high does not work. Word to the wise when tackling the
tailback, bring an army.
Johnson has dished out the pain every day this week and
today was no different. The only difference was the recipient as redshirt
freshman Raheim Huskey tried to step in front of Johnson on a sweep and
suffered the consequences. Image a car hitting a car at 60 mph. I’ll let you
paint your own picture.
Johnson had several nice runs today after making his own
holes when the line did not fully open the gap. Johnson scored on a 5-yard dive
play after being hit after crossing the line of scrimmage. He never stopped
chopping his legs while driving into the end zone. Johnson’s power reminds me
of a young Jerome Bettis. Johnson’s pass protection of Cato was on spot again
today as he picked up Samuels who busted through a depleted offensive line.
Cato was able to roll out and eventually hooked up with Shuler after a nice
double move by the receiver for a gain of 15.
Next man up
With Remi Watson leaving practice yesterday with an injury,
Butler is taking the second team reps. Butler had some nice runs in the red
zone including a double cut that finished with six. Tony Pittman took advantage
of Watson’s absence and had some decent runs. Pittman shifts well for a
204-pound back allowing him to get his direction headed north and south as soon
as he has a lane to shoot. Pittman showed today in the final 11-on-11 drill
that Johnson is not the only guy who can drop the hammer after he knocked
Arnold Blackmon off his feet and a run off tackle. Blackmon has Pittman by 39
pounds but ended on the losing end of the battle.
Defense can lay the
lumber too
While working in a scout team drill, first team linebacker
DJ Hunter introduced himself to running back David Gaydosz. It’s safe to say if
Gaydosz sees 22 on the other side of a hole; he will do something to elude
contact. Hunter sent the redshirt freshman hard to the turf.
Tiquan Lang returned to full contact action today for the
first time since last week and found himself delivering a jolt to freshman
receiver Gator Green. Lang’s contact would have probably warranted a penalty.
Just catch the ball
Drops are a plenty for some players in camp and today was no
difference. The most devastating drop ended up as a pick-6 for Huskey. Gunnar
Holcombe came to Hyleck Foster on the sideline and as the freshman turned up
field the ball squirted from his hands and directly in the arms of Huskey who
had nothing but daylight in front of him.
Wilkins dropped a sure touchdown pass on a post route from
Cato but made a nice move on Cato’s next in the end zone on a comeback route
for the score. Wilkins appears to have already slipped to a back-up outside
receiver and he has not been doing himself any favors during practice to stop
the downward slide.
Evans had the most spectacular drop of the day as the deflected
off his hands and fell into Butler’s grasp that was standing nearby for a touchdown.
With Reaves moving to the outside spot, Evans will be backing up Shuler in the
slot. His biggest problem is he has several guys behind him with nice hands and
better speed that is hungry for the field.
Biggest Hit of the
Day
Usually the offensive line is the easily forgotten when
talking about big plays. However, Chris Jasperse took the crown today after he
and Samuels locked horns. After their first hook-up resulted in a heated
exchanged, the next play earned the award. The duo locked for nearly eight
seconds before the Herd’s center took Samuel off his feet as he delivered a
294-pound pancake. They had one more exchange in which Jasperse got the better
of as well before giving each other a nice pat on the backside and helmet and
returning to their respective huddles.
Has Cato found a deep
threat?
After losing his favorite red zone target in Gator Hoskins
last season, Cato not only has three tight ends to toss to, he has several
legitimate deep ball threats as well. Today, Cato introduced the small crowd in
attendance to one of them. Working in the 11-on-11 drill, Cato hit Jean-Louis
in stride on a jet-route down the seam for a 65-yard touchdown. The crowd
applauded in support of the scoring strike.
Cato continues to replace the 26 that was etched into his
vision with 83 as Frohnapfel continues to prove he is a target that can get
trusted. Cato hit Frohnapfel on an out route that moved the ball 15 yards and
may have been a possible score. The ball was downed at the 5 but only because
the tight end had initial contact made at that point. Frohnapfel did push
forward to pay dirt, but the drill was moved back to the 5.
Cato connected with Joe Woodrum on a misdirection route that
confused Corey Tindal who allowed Woodrum to release for a wide out touchdown
in the back corner. Cato raced to Woodrum and gave him a chest bump for the
score.
Injury Report
Brandon Byrd returned to practice today after sitting out
since last Thursday’s massive hit with Cortez Carter. Byrd worked out in helmet
and shorts during the running back’s drills. Coach Holliday said after practice
that Byrd should be back to action soon.
Ryan Yurachek returned to action today after going lite in yesterday’s
session. He appeared to be moving in an out of his routes with discomfort.
Remi Watson was in pads today but sat out. Watson left
practice yesterday during a protection drill. No word on his injury.
Michael Selby and Blake Brooks were once again in sunglasses
for the second straight day.
K-Rod worked on the bike while wearing his left arm in a
sling. His left forearm area was heavily iced.
Donaldven Manning continues to work with the trainers. He
has yet to workout in a Herd uniform in camp.
Justin Hunt spent his practice on the bike and working with
the trainers. He is wearing a soft knee brace on his right knee.
Darryl Roberts started practice on the bike then left after
doing some light work with the trainers on the sideline. Roberts later returned
but did not participate.
Tidbits from the Herd
Cato adds his name to yet another award watch list as the
senior was named to the Manning Award watch list earlier today.
USA Today continued its countdown of all 128 teams today by
releasing teams 22 and 23. Washington took the No. 22 spot while Florida
secured No. 22. The clue offered for the team that is ranked No. 21 does not
match with the Herd suggesting a Top 20 ranking is in order.
Practice finished with a strange aura hovering overhead.
Tempers flared several times throughout the session with a fight erupting
between the offense and defense during the 11-on-11 drills. While it the
skirmish was most pushing and shoving, the tension in the air between the two
units could be cut with a knife.
The team completes its final two-a-day practice tomorrow with
sessions beginning at 9:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. before conducting a scrimmage
Saturday at 7 p.m. Only members of the Big Green Club or students with a valid
ID are admitted to the scrimmage session.
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