COCKYTALK SPRING PRACTICE REPORT 3/21/13 ( practice #4)

[Spurticus]

Spring Practice #4: 3/21/13

The coaches cut the practice short today and the team worked out in shoulder
pads, helmets and shorts. They ran the normal routine of Position Drills,
Skels and 11 on 11, only not as long during each station. I am happy to report
that Shaq Roland showed up today during game drills. He was clearly the best
of the receiver group this afternoon and looked really good running routes and
bringing in some pretty difficult catches at times. Also happy to report that Chaz
Elder was working out with the DBs today. He got very few reps during the Skels
and no reps during the full team drills but what time he was out there at both the
7 on 7 and running position drills, he seemed to be moving very well and did a
good job in coverage as a free safety.

Dylan Thompson looked sharp today. He got a limited number of reps as they
were working with Brendon Nosovitch and Connor Mitch more in the game drills
but Dylan’s few reps looked very good. His best pass of the day was during skels
when the team was lined up at the 20 running red zone plays. He had completed
his first two passes, but on his last rep from the 20 he was forced out of the pocket
to his left, and found KJ Brent in the opposite corner behind the defense running
a corner route. Thompson threw the ball across the field and laid it perfectly into
the back right corner and Brent brought it for the TD. Nosovitch had a horrible
workout this afternoon. Couldn’t seem to get his timing down as he threw several
passes behind open receivers, and when we ran the zone read during 11 on 11, he
was “off” through the majority of his reps. Fumbling the snap twice, letting the
ball slip out of his hands setting up to throw and just not all there today. Connor
Mitch had the majority of his reps during the Skels, and did a decent job there. He
and Drew Owens hooked up a couple of times on short post route and an nice lookin
out route that picked up a large chunk of yardage. He only got a couple of reps in the
full team drill, handing off to Brandon Wilds once and hitting Kendrick Salley on
a Checkdown another time.

As mentioned, Shaq Roland was hot today. He started off the afternoon working with
Nick Jones and Vic Hampton fielding punts during the punt coverage drills. He
dropped all three of the punt attempts he tried to field and had to do pushups each
time. It looked at that point as if Roland was just going through the motions and
wasn’t really wanting to be out there. But when the skels started, he caught the
first pass of the drill on a 12 yard come back / hitch from Dylan Thompson. He
had to drop down low to grab it with a DB on his back, but he made the catch and
held on. He and Connor Mitch hooked up on a curl route over the middle at one
point and was probably his best reception of the day. He was bumped hard by
Kelvin Rainey, but he made a nice juke to the inside that got Rainey moving to the
middle, and then Roland spun back to the outside and ran for about 20 yards before he
was touched. He ended his day with a reception on a slant from Austin Hails and
to my recollection, I don’t think he missed a ball all day.
Drew Owens and Buster Anderson had three receptions each early on, but didn’t see
Any reps in the 11 on 11 as it looked like the coaches were getting some work from
the second / third unit players. Buster made a hell of a grab on his first reception
when they were running the red zone reps. Mitch threw a bullet to him on a short
out route, and Buster had to lay out for it. He caught the ball fully extended and when
he came down with the ball, he rolle up funny ending up doing a summersault
with his neck tucked under. Scary looking moment but he popped up and got back
on the line of scrimmage for the next rep.
Shamier’s only grab of the day came at the end of a really bad string of plays during
Nosovitch’s reps in full team drills. After throwing behind two open receivers
consecutively, Brendon tried to throw a short slant patter to Nick Jones, but the
ball flew out of his hand as he cocked his arm back. The next play, they ran a straight
option play to the right and Brendon took two steps with the ball and threw a dart
from short distance into Brandon Wild’s facemask and it bounced off his head for
another fumble. After fumbling the snap from center on his next rep, the finally
took a snap, and set up in the pocket and launched a deep pass that hung up in the wind
and died. Vic Hampton and Brison Williams both camped under the pass as if they
had a bead on it, but the ball ended up sailing just over their heads, and into the arms
of Shamier Jeffery about a step behind them. Odd Looking play but with good results
for the offense.

I haven’t seen Jordan Diggs the last two practices. Not sure if he is injuried, or if he
is just quiet with no plays in his area. I don’t recall seeing him around any of the stops
on runs or around any of the pass plays. Kelvin Rainey continues to look good in the
middle at Linebacker and I’m also starting to like the way Kaiwan Lewis looks there
as well. He had a very good practice again today, and looks like a very quick and
active LB in the middle position.

Vic Hampton (other than the missed played pass from Noso to Jeffery) looked in game
form again. Right now he is definitely our best DB on the field. Also seems to be the
best / most consistent player at fielding punts at this point.

Next practice is tomorrow @ 4:15

[Kuhn]

Man, great report! Especially love the news about Shaq. If he can have a great spring and become a starter. Look out!

Thanks!

[Next Year]

Originally Posted by Spurticus

Spring Practice #4: 3/21/13

The coaches cut the practice short today and the team worked out in shoulder
pads, helmets and shorts. They ran the normal routine of Position Drills,
Skels and 11 on 11, only not as long during each station. I am happy to report
that Shaq Roland showed up today during game drills. He was clearly the best
of the receiver group this afternoon and looked really good running routes and
bringing in some pretty difficult catches at times. Also happy to report that Chaz
Elder was working out with the DBs today. He got very few reps during the Skels
and no reps during the full team drills but what time he was out there at both the
7 on 7 and running position drills, he seemed to be moving very well and did a
good job in coverage as a free safety.

Dylan Thompson looked sharp today. He got a limited number of reps as they
were working with Brendon Nosovitch and Connor Mitch more in the game drills
but Dylan’s few reps looked very good. His best pass of the day was during skels
when the team was lined up at the 20 running red zone plays. He had completed
his first two passes, but on his last rep from the 20 he was forced out of the pocket
to his left, and found KJ Brent in the opposite corner behind the defense running
a corner route. Thompson threw the ball across the field and laid it perfectly into
the back right corner and Brent brought it for the TD. Nosovitch had a horrible
workout this afternoon. Couldn’t seem to get his timing down as he threw several
passes behind open receivers, and when we ran the zone read during 11 on 11, he
was “off” through the majority of his reps. Fumbling the snap twice, letting the
ball slip out of his hands setting up to throw and just not all there today. Connor
Mitch had the majority of his reps during the Skels, and did a decent job there. He
and Drew Owens hooked up a couple of times on short post route and an nice lookin
out route that picked up a large chunk of yardage. He only got a couple of reps in the
full team drill, handing off to Brandon Wilds once and hitting Kendrick Salley on
a Checkdown another time.

As mentioned, Shaq Roland was hot today. He started off the afternoon working with
Nick Jones and Vic Hampton fielding punts during the punt coverage drills. He
dropped all three of the punt attempts he tried to field and had to do pushups each
time. It looked at that point as if Roland was just going through the motions and
wasn’t really wanting to be out there. But when the skels started, he caught the
first pass of the drill on a 12 yard come back / hitch from Dylan Thompson. He
had to drop down low to grab it with a DB on his back, but he made the catch and
held on. He and Connor Mitch hooked up on a curl route over the middle at one
point and was probably his best reception of the day. He was bumped hard by
Kelvin Rainey, but he made a nice juke to the inside that got Rainey moving to the
middle, and then Roland spun back to the outside and ran for about 20 yards before he
was touched. He ended his day with a reception on a slant from Austin Hails and
to my recollection, I don’t think he missed a ball all day.
Drew Owens and Buster Anderson had three receptions each early on, but didn’t see
Any reps in the 11 on 11 as it looked like the coaches were getting some work from
the second / third unit players. Buster made a hell of a grab on his first reception
when they were running the red zone reps. Mitch threw a bullet to him on a short
out route, and Buster had to lay out for it. He caught the ball fully extended and when
he came down with the ball, he rolle up funny ending up doing a summersault
with his neck tucked under. Scary looking moment but he popped up and got back
on the line of scrimmage for the next rep.
Shamier’s only grab of the day came at the end of a really bad string of plays during
Nosovitch’s reps in full team drills. After throwing behind two open receivers
consecutively, Brendon tried to throw a short slant patter to Nick Jones, but the
ball flew out of his hand as he cocked his arm back. The next play, they ran a straight
option play to the right and Brendon took two steps with the ball and threw a dart
from short distance into Brandon Wild’s facemask and it bounced off his head for
another fumble. After fumbling the snap from center on his next rep, the finally
took a snap, and set up in the pocket and launched a deep pass that hung up in the wind
and died. Vic Hampton and Brison Williams both camped under the pass as if they
had a bead on it, but the ball ended up sailing just over their heads, and into the arms
of Shamier Jeffery about a step behind them. Odd Looking play but with good results
for the offense.

I haven’t seen Jordan Diggs the last two practices. Not sure if he is injuried, or if he
is just quiet with no plays in his area. I don’t recall seeing him around any of the stops
on runs or around any of the pass plays. Kelvin Rainey continues to look good in the
middle at Linebacker and I’m also starting to like the way Kaiwan Lewis looks there
as well. He had a very good practice again today, and looks like a very quick and
active LB in the middle position.

Vic Hampton (other than the missed played pass from Noso to Jeffery) looked in game
form again. Right now he is definitely our best DB on the field. Also seems to be the
best / most consistent player at fielding punts at this point.

Next practice is tomorrow @ 4:15

yeah but anyway what about Clowney?

[Spurticus]

Originally Posted by Next Year

yeah but anyway what about Clowney?

Basically going through the motions. When they work out in Shorts
and Helmet, or light gear like tonight, the interior line (O and D) are
basically shadow boxing.

[Next Year]

Did you get a chance to see any of the field goal kicks?

[Spurticus]

Originally Posted by Next Year

Did you get a chance to see any of the field goal kicks?

No, they were finished by the time I got out there

[Garnet Gamecock]

Is the ball the exact same size in college as it is in high school?

I mean, what is up with Nosovitch not being able to hang on to the ball? Coach won't put up with that for long and that's for sure.

Does Noso have smallish hands? Maybe he needs to place the laces in a different position, the way Troy Aikman always did.

It just scares the hell out of me that he had that many fumbles and screwups related to hanging on to the ball. It brings back vivid memories of when our guys put the ball on the ground A LOT, and I don't EVER want us going back to those days! Those miscues cost us a hell of a lot of games we would have won otherwise.

Talk me down off the ledge, Spurt!

[Cock Kool-Aid]

Originally Posted by Garnet Gamecock

Is the ball the exact same size in college as it is in high school?

I mean, what is up with Nosovitch not being able to hang on to the ball? Coach won't put up with that for long and that's for sure.

Does Noso have smallish hands? Maybe he needs to place the laces in a different position, the way Troy Aikman always did.

It just scares the hell out of me that he had that many fumbles and screwups related to hanging on to the ball. It brings back vivid memories of when our guys put the ball on the ground A LOT, and I don't EVER want us going back to those days! Those miscues cost us a hell of a lot of games we would have won otherwise.

Talk me down off the ledge, Spurt!

He's ATLEAST our 3rd string QB this season. Why would you get that worried? If he's not good, then Mitch will beat him out. Simple.

[Spurticus]

Originally Posted by Garnet Gamecock

Is the ball the exact same size in college as it is in high school?

I mean, what is up with Nosovitch not being able to hang on to the ball? Coach won't put up with that for long and that's for sure.

Does Noso have smallish hands? Maybe he needs to place the laces in a different position, the way Troy Aikman always did.

It just scares the hell out of me that he had that many fumbles and screwups related to hanging on to the ball. It brings back vivid memories of when our guys put the ball on the ground A LOT, and I don't EVER want us going back to those days! Those miscues cost us a hell of a lot of games we would have won otherwise.

Talk me down off the ledge, Spurt!

He did well out there Tuesday except for running the Zone Read. He and
Connor Mitch still need to work on that part if Carolina Continues to run
that as the base offense. Today they were practicing in some pretty
rough conditions, so maybe Brendon is just having issues with the windy
cold weather. .. Not sure what else to say except every QB has those
kinds of days now and then...Maybe today was just his bad day

[cockypanther]

Thanks for the report Spurt. Good to hear Chaz Elder is practicing again. It seems like they really want to put him at safety although I thought he was recruited as a CB?

[Spurticus]

Originally Posted by cockypanther

Thanks for the report Spurt. Good to hear Chaz Elder is practicing again. It seems like they really want to put him at safety although I thought he was recruited as a CB?

I think they wanted to use TJ Gurley as a FS mainly, but with him out
of service right now, they've been using a lot of little used players and
walkons at Free Safety like Kadetrix Marcus, Jevonn Dukes and Garrett
Shank. I think using Elder at FS is basically out of necessity right now.

[MillerTime843]

Originally Posted by Spurticus

He did well out there Tuesday except for running the Zone Read. He and
Connor Mitch still need to work on that part if Carolina Continues to run
that as the base offense. Today they were practicing in some pretty
rough conditions, so maybe Brendon is just having issues with the windy
cold weather. .. Not sure what else to say except every QB has those
kinds of days now and then...Maybe today was just his bad day

Windy cold weather for Noso? LOL isn't he from Pennsylvania?

[Spurticus]

Originally Posted by MillerTime843

Windy cold weather for Noso? LOL isn't he from Pennsylvania?

Yeah, I was just throwing on excuses. Taking shots in the dark.

Personally I think it was just an off day for Brendon. He'll recover

[bronamath]

Very glad to hear that the linebackers are making plays.

[snoopy]

Thanks Spurt for the report. Looking forward to your next one.

[ConwayGamecock]

Great report, Spurticus thanks!

Haha, here was an informative practice update on twitter, that I was following until your report:

TheBigSpur.com ‏@TheBigSpur247 5h Jody Fuller just fell down.

[sandstorm2001]

Originally Posted by Garnet Gamecock

Is the ball the exact same size in college as it is in high school?

I mean, what is up with Nosovitch not being able to hang on to the ball? Coach won't put up with that for long and that's for sure.

Does Noso have smallish hands? Maybe he needs to place the laces in a different position, the way Troy Aikman always did.

It just scares the hell out of me that he had that many fumbles and screwups related to hanging on to the ball. It brings back vivid memories of when our guys put the ball on the ground A LOT, and I don't EVER want us going back to those days! Those miscues cost us a hell of a lot of games we would have won otherwise.

Talk me down off the ledge, Spurt!

It's just because the offenses are too complicated and he doesn't get to practice the plays enough.

[cockymac]

It's late so I can't think of his name, but how is the ee freshman linebacker looking?

[Spurticus]

Originally Posted by cockymac

It's late so I can't think of his name, but how is the ee freshman linebacker looking?

If you're talking about Kelvin Rainey He's doing exceptionally well. I can't
say for certain but I think you'll see him as the starting Middle Linebacker.

If you're talking about Jordan Diggs, he has either been quiet the past
two practices or not used as much...Or he may be out with an injury.
Had a very good practice last the first practice I attended, but haven't
seen him do anything this week so far. ...He is listed as a SPUR/OLB

If you're talking about TJ Holloman, he is backing up Rainey at MLB and
has done OK, but from what little I've seen so far, and think Kaiwan
Lewis is a very solid #2 MLB. He is a Soph

[USCNowAndForever]

Originally Posted by sandstorm2001

It's just because the offenses are too complicated and he doesn't get to practice the plays enough.

I knew that someone was going to post that eventually. Lol. Points to you.

It really sounds like he just had a bad practice. If it continues to be an issue, maybe there is something there with the offense, but even then, fumbled snaps sounds more like not having enough reps with the shotgun snap, or concentration issues. The first one is correctable. Get more reps with the shotgun snap. The second one could be any number of things, but knowing how hostile Spurrier is with his quarterbacks, it would not surprise me if Brendan is nervous.

And what's this about push-ups? These are grown men, and the coaches have them doing push-ups? Not to mention making them do push-ups because they made a performance error. It's one thing to punish people with physical exercise for breaking team rules (and even that I have an issue with), but seriously, punishing grown men for performance errors with push-ups?

Isn't the coaching staff's job to facilitate better performance? How is making players nervous going to facilitate better performance? If anything, it just makes them more uptight, which will lead to more mistakes.

Did Bill Walsh make Jerry Rice do push-ups if he dropped a pass in practice?

Did Phil Jackson make Michael Jordan do push-ups if he missed a shot in practice?

Did John Wooden make Bill Walton do push-ups if he missed a shot in practice?

Does Bill Belichick make Tom Brady do push-ups if he throws a bad pass in practice?

During Jimmie Johnson's 5 consecutive NASCAR Cup titles, Chad Knaus kept the pit crew together, and the whole team in general always had a never quit, always comeback mentality. Starting in 2011, Chad Knaus changed the way he ran the pit crew. He put pressure on everyone perform correctly; if they did not, they got replaced.

Like I said in my post back in January, the really good pit crews are those that have worked together for a while. Really tight pit stops only happen when guys know each other really well, and can anticipate each other’s every move. If a mistake happens, the team rallies, makes a correction, and keeps digging. Teamwork like that only comes from continuity. Knaus has dismissed this completely.

What every smart pit crew coach and crew chief understands is that mistakes are going to happen on pit road. There is just too much happening very quickly, and in very tight spaces for things to go right all the time. The guys who stick around on pit road for many years are those who are able to quickly forget about mistakes and get right back to business. A guy who is constantly worried about making one small mistake and getting replaced won’t be at the top of his game. He’s too focused on not screwing up, when he should be focused on staying loose and doing things right.

The pit crew situation at Hendrick Motorsports is really an interesting dichotomy. On one hand we’ve got Knaus with his brilliant plan, and on the other we’ve got the rest of the teams using the traditional method. The 88 and 5 pit crews consist of veteran guys who’ve been together for some time. The 24 crew has a mix of veteran and younger guys, but they have been kept together. You know the result.

4 of the 5 leaders that I mentioned above were far more successful at the professional level than Spurrier ever was. Wooden coached on the college level, but was also more successful than Spurrier. I'm sure someone will bring up the cheating on the part of the #48 team and the UCLA men's basketball team, but still, you have to be doing something right to be in position for the cheating to help you win. If the coaching and talent is sub-par, the cheating is not going to help you suddenly win 10 national titles. The fact that Wooden was able to win that many titles without treating his players in a hostile manner speaks volumes to me.

If you want a fairer comparison, then what about Wooden vs Knight? Knight and Spurrier are similar in that they have both always ran clean programs, they have both achieved success at the collegiate level, and they have both have treated their players in a hostile manner.

Wooden won 10 national titles, Bobby Knight won 3 national titles.

Spurticus, just so you know, I am not attacking you. I believe what you said about the push-ups. I just don't agree with the players having to do push-ups.

Thanks for the practice report!