PDA

View Full Version : WB's USC 1st Practice Notes


Williams-Brice
08-04-2007, 10:15 PM
I just got in from the first practice of the year. Since this was one of the few that will be open to the public, I figured I'd fill everyone in on what I thought was a good work out with a few disappointment.

1. There were six players in trouble due to academics (definitely elligible, but missed too many classes this summer). The following players were running sprints and doing pushups through the entire individual position portion of the practice: Chris Hail, Kenrick Ellis, Terrence Campbell, Carlos Thomas, Bobby Wallace, and . . . drum-roll please . . . Blake FREAKING Mitchell.

Blake just doesn't get it, folks. He's the starting quarterback and a 5th-year senior. I had English 101 with Blake when I was a freshman, and he was taking it for the second time. He was retaking it at that point for missing too many classes the first time around. Nearly four years later, and the kid still has the same problems.

2. Since they were running in front of us, I was able to get a look at all six of the above players. Campbell and Ellis both look like SEC defensive linemen. Bobby Wallace is as wide as he is tall. He's gotten thick, and it will surely lead to more touches for him this fall.

3. Both Lindsay twins were MIA tonight. I'm still trying to figure out what the deal was with Dustin and Jordin.

4. Travian Robertson looked like the best defensive end tonight. He's put together very well, and he's very quick. He's likely to start this fall. Cliff Matthews and Clifton Geathers both look like SEC defensive ends. They're tall and lean. Neither will redshirt this year, although Matthews looks as though he's going to need 15 to 20 more pounds in order to be an every down player. However, I do reserve the right to change my stance on all of these players once I see them in pads. You can't tell much about linemen and linebackers in "underwear" practices.

5. The receivers were pleasing the crowd tonight. Joseph Hills and Chris Culliver dropped a few too many for my liking. However, everyone else looked very crisp. Hills had the probable play of the night when he pulled in long touchdown pass off of a fade in the back of the endzone in double coverage. Weslye Saunders looked promising, too, but he's got a long way to go in order to be a big time player this year. The tight end to keep your eye on is Nick Prochak. He catches everything.

6. The secondary looked very good, including Mark Barnes.

Questions, concerns, complaints?

Williams-Brice
08-04-2007, 11:07 PM
I should also note that Mike West was working with the linebackers tonight.

Gamecocks4Ever
08-04-2007, 11:16 PM
How did the other QB's look?

lacene
08-05-2007, 12:25 AM
3. Both Lindsay twins were MIA tonight. I'm still trying to figure out what the deal was with Dustin and Jordin.


Other players held out included twin brothers Jordin and Dustin Lindsey, starting cornerback Carlos Thomas, backup tailback Bobby Wallace, backup cornerback Chris Hail and reserve defensive linemen Terrence Campbell and Kenrick Ellis. Jordin Lindsey is a returning starter at defensive end.

The players also must sit out tonight’s practice, with the exception of the Lindsey brothers, who did not attend Saturday’s session and will not be back until the end of next week at the earliest.

The State | 08/05/2007 | QB Mitchell one of eight players suspended for the fall’s first practice (http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/137846.html)


I also understand from the Cockytalk report that both McKinley and J. Cook performed very well and didn't drop a pass between them.....

Williams-Brice
08-05-2007, 07:11 AM
How did the other QB's look?

The practice on the side of the field that is tough to see, but Stephen Garcia definitely has the strongest arm.

LedCock
08-05-2007, 11:46 AM
Thanks WB! Good to see Nick P. doing well at TE. I'm hoping him and Cook prove invaluable for the next few years at that position.
How'd Maddox look in your opinion?

Williams-Brice
08-05-2007, 01:12 PM
I honestly didn't watch the running backs at all. I know what to expect from Cory Boyd and Mike Davis. Plus, you can't determine anything about your running backs in "underwear" practices. I really wanted to see how crisp the receivers looked in their routes. They didn't disappoint. I did see Maddox as I was leaving. He certainly looks the part, but I want to see him in a physical practice before I really judge him.