So today was a bit different in terms of practice for a variety of reasons. The practice format was switched up a bit and they actually went to live drills pretty early in practice, though there was one down side to that. Instead of the usual 30 minutes we are allowed to watch (which mostly consists of stretching, warming up and special teams) we were limited to just 10 minutes and were escorted off the field after about five plays or so of live action. So we didn't get to see a whole lot outside of stretching and warm ups today. During the post practice media availability Herman actually commented on the switch and it was something the staff decided to do spontaneously today based on how the players were warming up.
Interesting Formation During Warmups
During the warm up period they had the defense lining up in what appeared to be some kind of "rush packages" where they would get set in formation and then half-speed jog down field. It could just be some random warm up they are doing but it would be interesting to see this D-line group on the field in an obvious passing situation. They had three down linemen with Ed Oliver in the middle flanked on each side by Tyus Bowswer and Emeke Egbule. Again, take it for what it's worth it's only warm ups and we didn't get to see it at all in a live play.
Defense
So since I kind of paid more attention to the offensive side of the ball in yesterdays notes I tried to get more from the defense today, but unfortunately with the very limited time we got today I was only able to see the first team as I had to kind of take mental notes on who was on the field as I was being escorted off.
D-Line - The group that was on the field when I was able to watch was Nick Thurman, Jerard Carter and Cameron Malveaux. I did see B.J. Singleton at practice, but for some reason he wasn't on the field during the brief string of plays we were able to watch, but he was out there during the warm up period.
LB's - Matthew Adams, Steven Taylor, Tyus Bowser appear to be the linebackers used when playing the nickel, which based on the number or reps might be something they plan to deploy more during the season.
CB's - Howard Wilson, Jeremy Winchester continue to get the majority of the first team reps with Brandon Wilson playing the Nickel.
S - Garrett Davis and Khalil Williams get the majority of the first team reps and I did see Terrell Williams and Collin Wilder getting some work with 2nd team. So keep an eye on Collin Wilder as one of those freshman that might get a decent chunk of playing time.
More NFL Scouts
There were more scouts in attendance today. The New York Jets and LA Rams had reps in attendance today. Watching the seniors, etc. Pretty much the same as yesterday.
Brandon Wilson
"I feel like we're pretty good right now," he said. "Everyday is a grind and we just gotta keep coming out here and pushing through it."
I asked Wilson about Herman's displeasure with the backup running backs from yesterdays practice and if there have been any discussions about possibly utilizing him there again. He informed me there haven't been any discussions.
One thing I can say about Wilson based on chatting today after practice is the guy is a team player and will do anything for this team. He's not going to give you any blockbuster quotes or anything but you can tell he puts his team and his coaches first even over himself.
I asked him about playing running back and if it was something he missed...
"It was a great opportunity for the team," he said. I asked him about the potential of being an X-factor for the team with his athletic ability and ability in special teams and his response was. "I'm just doing what I have to for my team and doing the most that I can."
I asked him about some of the receivers he's had to cover and who gives him the most headaches. Being a nickelback a good bit of his time has been spent covering Ra'Shaad Samples and Marquez Stevenson and he had some good things to say about both of them.
"They're both great receivers," He said of his offensive teammates. "We challenge each other every day one-on-one. Those are the two guys that really stick out to me a lot."
When talking about his peers he said the young guys like Collin Wilder are continuing to buy in to what Tom Herman preaches and they continue to work hard and try to help bring the freshmen along quickly.
Tom Herman
Here is Herman's post practice interview from today's practice.
Interesting Formation During Warmups
During the warm up period they had the defense lining up in what appeared to be some kind of "rush packages" where they would get set in formation and then half-speed jog down field. It could just be some random warm up they are doing but it would be interesting to see this D-line group on the field in an obvious passing situation. They had three down linemen with Ed Oliver in the middle flanked on each side by Tyus Bowswer and Emeke Egbule. Again, take it for what it's worth it's only warm ups and we didn't get to see it at all in a live play.
Defense
So since I kind of paid more attention to the offensive side of the ball in yesterdays notes I tried to get more from the defense today, but unfortunately with the very limited time we got today I was only able to see the first team as I had to kind of take mental notes on who was on the field as I was being escorted off.
D-Line - The group that was on the field when I was able to watch was Nick Thurman, Jerard Carter and Cameron Malveaux. I did see B.J. Singleton at practice, but for some reason he wasn't on the field during the brief string of plays we were able to watch, but he was out there during the warm up period.
LB's - Matthew Adams, Steven Taylor, Tyus Bowser appear to be the linebackers used when playing the nickel, which based on the number or reps might be something they plan to deploy more during the season.
CB's - Howard Wilson, Jeremy Winchester continue to get the majority of the first team reps with Brandon Wilson playing the Nickel.
S - Garrett Davis and Khalil Williams get the majority of the first team reps and I did see Terrell Williams and Collin Wilder getting some work with 2nd team. So keep an eye on Collin Wilder as one of those freshman that might get a decent chunk of playing time.
More NFL Scouts
There were more scouts in attendance today. The New York Jets and LA Rams had reps in attendance today. Watching the seniors, etc. Pretty much the same as yesterday.
Brandon Wilson
"I feel like we're pretty good right now," he said. "Everyday is a grind and we just gotta keep coming out here and pushing through it."
I asked Wilson about Herman's displeasure with the backup running backs from yesterdays practice and if there have been any discussions about possibly utilizing him there again. He informed me there haven't been any discussions.
One thing I can say about Wilson based on chatting today after practice is the guy is a team player and will do anything for this team. He's not going to give you any blockbuster quotes or anything but you can tell he puts his team and his coaches first even over himself.
I asked him about playing running back and if it was something he missed...
"It was a great opportunity for the team," he said. I asked him about the potential of being an X-factor for the team with his athletic ability and ability in special teams and his response was. "I'm just doing what I have to for my team and doing the most that I can."
I asked him about some of the receivers he's had to cover and who gives him the most headaches. Being a nickelback a good bit of his time has been spent covering Ra'Shaad Samples and Marquez Stevenson and he had some good things to say about both of them.
"They're both great receivers," He said of his offensive teammates. "We challenge each other every day one-on-one. Those are the two guys that really stick out to me a lot."
When talking about his peers he said the young guys like Collin Wilder are continuing to buy in to what Tom Herman preaches and they continue to work hard and try to help bring the freshmen along quickly.
Tom Herman
Here is Herman's post practice interview from today's practice.
