Re: Master B\'s practice report
Great report by MasterB! Thanks for posting it here Law. Was there for last half of practice. Agree with all MasterB stated.
Things get more interesting when the pads go on which will be Wednesday.
Could definitely see a different attitude from coaches and players for the first practice. Even though this was a noncontact practice there was a level in intensity I liked seeing on the first day.
From the get go last year in spring Gordon C. really caught my eye in practice. This year ACE really stood out at TB to me the first day. He doesn't look like the same player. He looks more like a TB. He's trimmer, but very solid which showed in his quickness and speed.
Had to smile seeing Eddie Lee catching the ball.
Two favorite plays:
Bilbo drops back from under center and throws about 10-15 yard pass to "Freddie" on the right side as he's curling. It was a bang bang play with Houston breaking on the ball fast from behind. He's diving over the top of Smith. Contact right as the ball gets there. Super catch by Freddie coming back to the ball. That Ruben really showed some quickness and speed to break for the ball. Don't know how Smith caught it.
Can't recall who was QB, but the WR were covered. The ball goes short over the middle to a back. Throw right in there, but McNair comes flying in knocking the ball away with no contact. Coach "Brick" yells, "That's ALL ACC." Really was a super play. That McNair can really run. Interesting looking at how Fox has bulked up and leading that bunch on the field with D. Smith sitting out. He's clapping and firing up that D constantly.
At TE we've got bodies. Brian Johnson was used a lot like JP was last year where they had him at HB/TE. Guys like Cooper and Williams are really big bodies and run well. We'll find out about there catching and blocking abilities as things progress. In the time I was there saw some dropped balls on tough catches that could have been made.
On the DL thought Omar Billy had bulked up the most at DT. Would like to know his actual weight now. We showed a lot of quickness at DE. Nice to see Gathers showing that quick first step and getting to QB. Noticed Mathews, Henderson, and Gathers flying to the ball a lot.
Dorsey has trimmed down. Shows in his movement too.
Anxious to see how Pena grows and gains confidence. He's got a bigger physical build from pictures and film of him in HS. He looked tentative the first day which isn't surprising. Can tell what a good athlete he is. A lot of teaching going on. Took note that when I was there didn't see but a few plays were the WR and QB weren't on the same page. The timing isn't there though yet.
Was really great to see the team in action. Really looking forward to pads going on. Will be able to tell a lot more.
Go Jackets!
