I'll preface this by saying this is the least amount of access that the media has gotten in the 13 seasons that I've covered the team. That's the prerogative of the head coach, of course, but it limits the information that fans get in the preseason.
As previously reported, SAF Matthew Bailey, OLB Jared Badie, and OL Dez Schuster were not available for practice. Bailey is still recovering from a foot injury from back in the spring. Badie has an undisclosed injury that is recuring from a previous injury. Schuster was at practice in street close watching the OL drills. He's another huge body in the mold of Zy Crisler.
We were allowed to watch the first two periods, which was approximately 20 minutes. The part of the script that we observed included warmups and some light position group work.
Offensive line did some work on technique. No real contact. Bart Miller is one of the more hands-on coaches on the staff. He makes a lot of on-the-spot corrections. It looks four of the starters are set, at least for now, in LT Julian Pearl, LG Isaiah Adams, C Josh Kreutz, and Zy Crisler at either guard or tackle on the right side Those four led off every drill. One of the spots on the right side is up for grabs.
We don't know how good Luke Altmyer will be, but one thing I'll say about the QB position is that it's the deepest unit in quite some time in terms of having multiple guys who have legit arms. It's not a physically imposing group, but they have skills. I watched them throw for about 10 minutes, so very small sample size.
I watched the DB's go through some drop drills. Athletic group overall with really good feet, but probably not as physical as last year. The freshmen corners Saboor Karriem and Jaheim Clarke and the JUCO kid Prince Ford are all noticeably quick-twitch, but thin.
The team practices in the evening again tomorrow and Saturday. They will likely be 100% closed practices. Media availability is at 11:30 following meetings. We get DC Aaron Henry, LB Tarique Barnes, OLB Seth Coleman, DB Xavier Scott. On Saturday, we get Barry Lunney Jr. and 3 players from offense.
That's about all I have for you from the 20 minutes of access.
As previously reported, SAF Matthew Bailey, OLB Jared Badie, and OL Dez Schuster were not available for practice. Bailey is still recovering from a foot injury from back in the spring. Badie has an undisclosed injury that is recuring from a previous injury. Schuster was at practice in street close watching the OL drills. He's another huge body in the mold of Zy Crisler.
We were allowed to watch the first two periods, which was approximately 20 minutes. The part of the script that we observed included warmups and some light position group work.
Offensive line did some work on technique. No real contact. Bart Miller is one of the more hands-on coaches on the staff. He makes a lot of on-the-spot corrections. It looks four of the starters are set, at least for now, in LT Julian Pearl, LG Isaiah Adams, C Josh Kreutz, and Zy Crisler at either guard or tackle on the right side Those four led off every drill. One of the spots on the right side is up for grabs.
We don't know how good Luke Altmyer will be, but one thing I'll say about the QB position is that it's the deepest unit in quite some time in terms of having multiple guys who have legit arms. It's not a physically imposing group, but they have skills. I watched them throw for about 10 minutes, so very small sample size.
I watched the DB's go through some drop drills. Athletic group overall with really good feet, but probably not as physical as last year. The freshmen corners Saboor Karriem and Jaheim Clarke and the JUCO kid Prince Ford are all noticeably quick-twitch, but thin.
The team practices in the evening again tomorrow and Saturday. They will likely be 100% closed practices. Media availability is at 11:30 following meetings. We get DC Aaron Henry, LB Tarique Barnes, OLB Seth Coleman, DB Xavier Scott. On Saturday, we get Barry Lunney Jr. and 3 players from offense.
That's about all I have for you from the 20 minutes of access.
