Spring Practice Update 4/16/09

Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

Got to practice as the 7 on 7s were finishing up...didn't have paper or a pen so i couldn't take my stats down, but i hadn't planned on going anyhow.

I went with a buddy that I sit with for home games that I went to school with, and both of us remarked how much energy there is and how much it starts with CRN and how refreshing it is to have that in our program!

Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

As everyone's reporting, it's clear the decision has already been made. Kevin Prince is the man. He's head and shoulders above everyone else in all facets:

Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

His arm strength lets him make throws that Brehaut and Craft simply can't make.There was one play when Prince looked far right to the receiver, then checked to his near right, the tight end, and then finally stepped left and fired a corner pattern to DJ who had been in the slot. This is encouraging because he knew where all the receivers were, threw to the correct one, and is the only QB we have who could make that throw and put it in a place where only the receiver could catch it.

Some other highlights/happenings

- Craft did throw a beautiful deep ball to Moutra for a TD, outthrowing the double coverage!

- Aaron Hester continues to be a player for us...he's all over the receivers, and even when a RB or WR is "finishing the play" (which means running to the end zone whether touched down or not...today was no pads btw) he runs with the ballcarrier all the way and is in his ear. it's like he's saying he's there and he's not backing down. the kid is a MAJOR athlete and player and while we're going to have to endure some holding calls and PI calls because he's so physical, he's going to be solid. i think that corner spot is closed for competition...

- Brian Price is unblockable. he ran right through Ekbatani several times, and nothing against Ek, but we need to go with the Freshmen when the season starts and get some more talented linemen in there...if he bulked up, it hasn't really shown.

- That being said, the OL is run blocking better. granted the only two practices i have seen have been helmets only and no pads, but there are holes where there weren't holes in previous year's spring practices!  If you remember back to last year, the DLine DOMINATED the point of attack, but we're able to get some good 3-6 yd. runs which is all we need come game day. 4 yards a carry will open up our passing game.

- Aundre Dean continued to struggle. he still runs too upright and had a bad fumble. CRN didn't chew him out and put his arm around the kid, but he's gonna have a hard time getting on the field this year. I know we had high hopes for him, but it's really looking like a Ramirez:

Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

and Coleman combo:


Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

with Franklin being the change of pace back here and there.

- There was extensive use of the 2 minute drill at the end of practice, and then CRN would run out the FG unit to kick a field goal. Forbath drilled his from around 35-40 yds. (reports are that he's been lights out this spring) and then Locke tried a 45-50 yarder that went just wide right. CRN said "nice kick Locke" and slapped his helmet...the kid has a solid leg and i'm sure he'll be a decent option for us at kicker if we eventually need it!

- As Dohn reported, there was a scare when MP went down:

Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

But apparently it was just a cramp:

Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

Let's hope we don't get more ravaged at the TE spot.

That's all for today...i only caught the last 45 minutes or so and tomorrow looks doubtful for me, but we'll see.

GO BRUINS