Practice got started promptly at 10, some of these past Saturdays they've been a little slow in getting going.
George O'Leary was not in attendance due to a personal issue.
It was just a regular practice with extended scrimmage time, not a full scrimmage like the past two weeks. There were a handful of officials on hand.
I thought Thursday was the sloppiest practice of spring offensively, but this one might overtake that. Lots of errant throws, dropped passes, etc. But the reason may be that the defense is finally blitzing. They'd laid off for the first couple weeks. To their credit, I thought the offense picked it up towards the end somewhat.
A few depth chart changes to note:
-Demetris Anderson is first team again, replacing Lance McDowdell. This was also the case on Thursday. I spoke with Coach Zo after practice and he said those three are close (Pittman the other one). They'll all be part of the rotation.
-Redshirt freshman Chris Williams replaced D.J. Killings as first team corner. Killings was nickel and second team corner.
Some observations to note:
WR Pete DiNovo impressed with a great catch early. It was a question mark going into the spring how he would transition to receiver and I think he's shown the ability that he can give you something.
Newly-promoted first team CB Chris Williams made some plays. He caught an early interception on a ball thrown to Tre'Quan Smith.
During "halftime" (a break in the action), Cedric Thompson was quite vocal in trying to rally the troops: "Let's go O, gotta get better!"
After the break, RB Dontravious Wilson broke off for a big run of 10-plus yards.
CB Chris Williams had a pass break-up in the end zone, I think he was defending Tre'Quan Smith.
LB Justin McDonald picked off a pass thrown by Patti.
McDonald showed up again with a PBU on Taylor Oldham.
There were two "plays of the day." This was the first one. From about 50 yards out, Justin Holman found Tre'Quan Smith on a perfectly thrown ball that was caught just as Smith stepped over the white line into the end zone. Easily a 50-yard throw (or thereabouts). This brought lots of cheers from the offense.
The second "play of the day" was a 15-yard or so route to TE Kevin Miller. The ball appeared overthrown as if it was going to sail over his head, but Miller leaped (as much as he can) and snared that ball out of the air coming down with the reception.
An "honorable mention" play came from WR Jordan Akins, who caught a shorter route and then YAC'd all the way to the end zone for a touchdown.
D.J. Killings registered an interception from a Holman pass that was tipped into the air by LB Errol Clarke.
Shaquill Griffin intercepted Holman and Mark Rucker intercepted Patti.
Shaquill Griffin then put a big hit on Taylor Oldham who was coming across the middle, I think he was flagged.
Best shirt at practice: One of the dads was wearing a Knights Unleashed" shirt. This is the first time I've seen one in the wild. It's just as impressive in person.
George O'Leary was not in attendance due to a personal issue.
It was just a regular practice with extended scrimmage time, not a full scrimmage like the past two weeks. There were a handful of officials on hand.
I thought Thursday was the sloppiest practice of spring offensively, but this one might overtake that. Lots of errant throws, dropped passes, etc. But the reason may be that the defense is finally blitzing. They'd laid off for the first couple weeks. To their credit, I thought the offense picked it up towards the end somewhat.
A few depth chart changes to note:
-Demetris Anderson is first team again, replacing Lance McDowdell. This was also the case on Thursday. I spoke with Coach Zo after practice and he said those three are close (Pittman the other one). They'll all be part of the rotation.
-Redshirt freshman Chris Williams replaced D.J. Killings as first team corner. Killings was nickel and second team corner.
Some observations to note:
WR Pete DiNovo impressed with a great catch early. It was a question mark going into the spring how he would transition to receiver and I think he's shown the ability that he can give you something.
Newly-promoted first team CB Chris Williams made some plays. He caught an early interception on a ball thrown to Tre'Quan Smith.
During "halftime" (a break in the action), Cedric Thompson was quite vocal in trying to rally the troops: "Let's go O, gotta get better!"
After the break, RB Dontravious Wilson broke off for a big run of 10-plus yards.
CB Chris Williams had a pass break-up in the end zone, I think he was defending Tre'Quan Smith.
LB Justin McDonald picked off a pass thrown by Patti.
McDonald showed up again with a PBU on Taylor Oldham.
There were two "plays of the day." This was the first one. From about 50 yards out, Justin Holman found Tre'Quan Smith on a perfectly thrown ball that was caught just as Smith stepped over the white line into the end zone. Easily a 50-yard throw (or thereabouts). This brought lots of cheers from the offense.
The second "play of the day" was a 15-yard or so route to TE Kevin Miller. The ball appeared overthrown as if it was going to sail over his head, but Miller leaped (as much as he can) and snared that ball out of the air coming down with the reception.
An "honorable mention" play came from WR Jordan Akins, who caught a shorter route and then YAC'd all the way to the end zone for a touchdown.
D.J. Killings registered an interception from a Holman pass that was tipped into the air by LB Errol Clarke.
Shaquill Griffin intercepted Holman and Mark Rucker intercepted Patti.
Shaquill Griffin then put a big hit on Taylor Oldham who was coming across the middle, I think he was flagged.
Best shirt at practice: One of the dads was wearing a Knights Unleashed" shirt. This is the first time I've seen one in the wild. It's just as impressive in person.
