Quarterbacks and Receivers Clicking,
Petrino and Smith Argue in Practice
By Bud Baldwin
Not a whole lot to tell from the veterans practice I attended this weekend primarily because they aren't in full pads, which happens at 6 p.m. Monday and I am planning to be there.
The offense continues to get better. I know quarterback and receivers pretty much throw all summer and sometimes there are defensive backs shadowing the receivers, but it isn't the same when there are linemen rushing you (even though up to now it has been tag football) and you are having to throw through linebackers and defensive backs going this way and that way.
I think it takes a while for the quarterbacks and receivers to get used to that and start recognizing the openings. But each day it appears they are getting more into game situations. It may be just me, but I think Tyler Wilson is separating himself from Brandon Mitchell in this area.
Although both quarterbacks have thrown some interceptions and passes that should have been interceptions, Wilson's mistakes are not as obvious as Mitchell's, who at times seems to throw it right to the defender where as I think Wilson's are more "I threw if to the guy but my pass was a little high or the receiver got out-muscled for the ball." Each day he seems to be getting better and his mistakes are fewer. Of course, yesterday he dropped a snap (his Achilles' heel).
The receivers are more comfortable now. They seem to be getting used to catching balls in crowds and look more comfortable running routes. To me, the most impressive receiver so far is Marquel Wade (#1). He makes difficult catches and knows what to do with it after he catches the ball. It is nice to see this from him and the other receivers.
I still remember Nutt’s receivers, who could make a difficult catch, but after the catch they would just fall down and not get anything after the catch. Remember London Crawford catching the ball against Florida and no one was around? He ran a few steps and just dropped it. These guys will do well making things happen after they catch it.
Colton Miles-Nash looks good at tight end. Right now our offensive line isn't as good as last year's, and the tight end will be called on to block more and Nash doesn't seem to shy away from that. He caught a few passes this weekend and appears to have good hands. It will be interesting to see how he does in pads.
Kiero Small popped Alonzo Highsmith yesterday when Highsmith was blitzing. I can’t wait to see him in fill pads. They also worked with him on the goal line catching the short fade route out of the backfield. He has good hands.
We have all known that Ronnie Wingo can catch the ball, but Knile Davis was a little suspect last year. Obviously, he has worked on this because I really think the running backs are going to get a lot of receptions this year.
Now that we are in full pads, it will be curious to see who emerges on the offensive line. Brey Cook is huge and after coming early and starting in spring, I really want to see him now that they will be in full pads.
The defensive line looks awesome, but they rotate players in and out so much it is hard to see (especially at ground level) which combination is most effective. I think the addition of Robert Thomas gives them a lot more options and will allow D.D. Lewis to move around a lot. Byron Jones seems planted in the middle along will Alfred Davis. Chris Smith (who I referred to last week as Chris Miller) is back in s and he wasn't told to get "get your ass off of my field."
The defensive backs look good as well. They get beat sometimes, but rarely with the first team do you see a wide receiver left all alone. Darius Winston looks bigger as do the safeties. Isaac Madison is still here. He seems like he is a seventh-year senior. He is not afraid to mix it up. One time he fell down and was slow getting up and I wondered if his knee will make it through the season
They have worked a lot on special teams. In fact, John L. Smith and Coach Bobby Petrino basically got into it about lanes. Smith taught it one way and Petrino wanted it another and they got into it with each other for a short time. Smith will jump a player pretty good and will make him do it over and over until he get the technique right, but when he does get it right Smith will really give him kudos.
They also worked on a scoop-and-score drill for about 10 minutes. Petrino will not forget that cost them the Ohio State game.
My only disappointment was that I did not make a newcomers practice. I was going to go Saturday, but I had been out in the heat all day and it was really hot. Yesterday I went, but they went inside the Walker Pavilion and I couldn't get in. They will be with the veterans from here on out.
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