wednesday practice love, courtesy of the OB.
wednesday practice love, courtesy of HD scout.
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monarchs' hot links: 20-aug-14 - wednesday practice updates, etc..
- Thread starter monarch
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pardon me my good pal, i was trying to abide by managements "link" request. i didn't realize that all was being forbidden from viewing the items. please reference below.
https://texas.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=500&tid=203365830&mid=203365830&sid=902&style=2
--- Practice was in the morning as opposed to the afternoon reportedly, so it was a little cooler outside and we're told the energy was good.
--- The coaches haven't been yelling as much the last couple of days, we're told, and it seems like the team - after one "bad" practice last week - has really started buying into the intensity the staff has been trying to instill. One source said, "for the most part, everyone's doing what they've asked of them now."
--- One source who got to see the QBs said that David Ash throws the most "catchable" ball and that Jerrod Heard "still has some work to do." The source said the QBs had to put some balls downfield Wednesday and that Ash was far ahead of the others in terms of not sacrificing accuracy when adding velocity on the ball.
--- Jaxon Shipley, per one source, did not participate in position drills or 7-on-7s. Apparently Shipley is on the way back, but the team seems to be taking his recovery very slowly.
--- Marcus Johnson is a player one source said "has come into his own - he's the best receiver out there no question."
--- The team was back in full pads Wednesday, but FR RB D'onta Foreman was working out in shorts and shoulder pads (per NCAA rules).
--- The starting offensive line remained the same. One source with knowledge of the situation said he did not anticipate any changes in the group moving forward, although some adjustment will have to be made for the opener with Desmond Harrison serving his suspension.
--- A source we spoke with said he did not see Rami Hammad at practice Wednesday. We'll continue to monitor this one. One source on Wednesday afternoon said nothing had changed and Hammad was still set to transfer. Another key source said "nothing's official yet" but did not indicate Hammad was back.
--- Josh Turner is still running with the second team.
--- WDE Caleb Bluiett received extended first-team reps with the starting defense on Wednesday in place of Shiro Davis and again apparently did some nice things in coverage. One source mentioned he broke up a pass to one of the tight ends in the flats.
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=110&f=2441&t=13066101
****WR John Harris is working at inside and outside receiver and feels like he has gotten a second chance at Texas.
He told me he had fallen behind with the previous coaching staff, in part, because of his own immaturity in the past (not paying enough attention to detail and providing consistent effort).
Harris, who has dropped his weight from 230 to 215 to increase his speed, has had a good camp and will be counted on to help fill the void of Jaxon Shipley (hamstring), Kendall Sanders (dismissed) and Montrel Meander (dismissed).
"I do feel like I've gotten another chance," Harris said. "Having some of the freshmen come in this year and move ahead of me really got me going. Dropping the weight has helped me compete. I just feel like I've really improved mentally and physically."
The freshmen Harris was speaking of - Armanti Foreman and Lorenzo Joe - have made a solid impression on the coaches.
Harris said he was also inspired by walk-on WR Ty Templin, who is vying for playing time with the depth issues at receiver.
"Ty has been a really hard worker, and he's showing people he's a good player," Harris said.
*****
DT Malcom Brown admitted to me that he's the "bad cop" leader on the defense.
"Sometimes," he said. "I'll get fed up with it all, and come out with it. Other times, I just try to lead by example."
Brown said he knows the defense and the team overall have a new, mindset built around "toughness and togetherness."
"Everyone will see," he said. "You'll see it by us just flying around. That edge you need is there.
"We've made a lot of progress. We're confident, but we just have to keep on working."
When I asked Brown about DT Hassan Ridgeway after the spring, Brown said Ridgeway still had a long way to go to become a consistent force. Brown said Wednesday progress has been made.
"He's growing up a lot," Brown said. "Sometimes, he just pitty pats, and then sometimes he goes. And when he goes, it's a load. Sometimes, when he gets confused, he doesn't go. So we're trying to make sure he's not confused."
When I asked Brown about freshman DT Poona Ford, Brown smiled and said, "He's got a little motor to him. He'll fit in good to the scheme."
In a single word, Brown described the defense as "aggressive."
Brown said DC Vance Bedford has helped get players through the dog days of camp.
"He keeps us up during practice," Brown said. "He cracks jokes, is always going crazy. If you mess up, he'll get in your face. But he's a high-energy guy."
*****
Senior DT Desmond Jackson was asked after practice about the defense being labeled soft the past two years, and Jackson pounded his fist on a table and said he's tired of answering the question.
"Everyone can make their own conclusion starting August 30," Jackson said.
*****
Mykkele Thompson admitted that he's played soft, given up big plays and that he's out to help change that characterization of him and of the defense.
"Making the transition from high school quarterback to safety was hard," Thompson said. "But there comes a time when you need to do what you're told.
"It's time for me to step up. I've definitely improved. I wouldn't say I"m the most physical (safety), but I've improved from where I was.
"We're all ready to showcase what Texas is all about. I've given up big plays as a safety, and that's not what I'm about or what Texas is about."
Thompson is so athletic, coaches have him making the transition from safety to cornerback when the defense is in nickel (five defensive backs).
"I'm just trying to be versatile," he said. "With my size (6-2, 190), some things come naturally. But you can't always rely on athleticism. Technique is what I'm focusing on right now."
The freshman making the biggest move - most likely to starter - is safety Jason Hall (6-3, 207). Thompson has been impressed.
"He's the prototypical safety," Thompson said. "He's got size and range and learns thee game at a good pace."
There's a good chance the nickel safeties will be Hall and walk-on Dylan Haines.
"Dylan makes plays," Thompson said. "You can always respect a guy who makes plays no matter where he is on the field."
When I asked Thompson why this year's defense would be improved after two terrible, statistical years, he said, "All the returning starters.
"We know where we've been and where we want to go. We've got a bunch of seniors, and they are leading the charge."
Thompson said every level of the defense has vocal leaders: Quandre Diggs (secondary), Jordan Hicks (linebackers) and Ced Reed, Malcom Brown and Tank Jackson on the defensive line.
Thompson said the team's new mindset under Strong didn't come easily.
"At first, all the change was rough," Thompson said. "But as you go through it, you realize he has a plan, and you have to trust it. Then, you realize everything he does is based on toughness and togetherness."
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