Once again out in the open River Bowl, the intensity was up and players were going full speed. At times I'd recoil a bit b/c it was getting physical even though this was also a no-pads practice. I think they go to 1/2 pads tomorrow. Once the team gets into the stadium I'm assuming practices will close down for more public viewing and updates.
- JR Nelson is coming on strong. Multiple pass breakups and an interception in 7 on 7. Blanketed his guys well and didn't get beat over the top. Seeing Nelson stepping up is giving me good hope that we've got 3 very solid corners. One hasn't stood out as a "lock down" though, but overall it's looking improved.
- Lots of drops by many of the younger WRs today and some iffy throwing from all the QBs save JJ. The passing game was up and down but it seemed like a lot of the QBs were off and then it didn't help that the WRs and RBs were dropping some passes.
- JJ was a different story though. Unreal passing performance today from what I saw. Mostly watching the 7 on 7 / skelly I think he completed every pass - although I missed seeing one. In his first series he went 6 for 6. Found Naccarato who found a gap in the zone D. Then threaded the needle twice to Jones. Hit Ralston once. Found Burke and Rogers as well. Also had the play of the day that I saw, but I'll save that for the end.
- John Nguyen might juke better than Peter, faked out defenders a ton today. Now it's no-pads, so lets how it goes once guys start hitting.
- Clint LaRowe and Jackson Theibes were the starting tackles today. It didn't go to well. Schmaing's 2nd team, presumably working his way back. Poole is still out.
- Only 1 injury of note, one of the RS frosh DBs, maybe Parker, looked to have pulled his hammy.
- A great pick-6 by Tucker Schye, think the QB was Gus, Schye's pass D is improving - we're stacked at MLB with him and Kose.
- When you guys see Gamboa practicing at OLB you're going to love what you see. Fast, great range, good in pass coverage, not afraid to make contact.
- As expected Wags and Holmes were abusing our starting tackles.
- Ralston and Sprunk were active in the passing game, Sprunk had a great contested catch over Dallaserra (who was pissed he didn't make the play).
- The DBs are flying around and were really swatting down a lot of passes from all the QBs except JJ. Many near picks where the ball would hit the DB in the chest or arm but he couldn't make the catch. Good to see them getting to the ball before it makes it to the WR but now gotta improve forcing that turnover.
- The day ended with a "game winning" fieldgoal attempt that I think was in the 30 - 32 yard range. Greenberg was up first, hard kick, right down the middle and good. Lider next, same thing, good hard kick down the middle and good. The new guy made his but it was a wobbly kick that just cleared the crossbar, think there was a screw-up on the hold. So 3-3 kicking! Watching those 3 practice kicking fieldgoals Greenberg and Lider were fairly consistent from 40 yards or closer - much like we saw in the spring.
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Play of the day (that I saw) - TraVon Van splits out wide as the Z receiver (recall Shaun Rainey and other reporters tweeting about this yesterday). Matched up against Nate Harris. Van shoots down the field and JJ puts the pass right on the money. It's a contested catch but Van hauls it in and dances into the endzone.
Well, that's a disappointment. 
