already posted some of them ... but now that our post-practice interviews are up can add a bit more...
First off, ton of technique teaching today, way more than I can remember for any spring practice going back for at least a decade. Assistants stopping their drills to show guys certain things, etc. Was a very crisply run practice, much less individual down time than in the past.
In particular Josh Gattis is VERY hands on. One of my favorite lines from him to the receivers today: "If you don't do it right, don't do it at all."
He worked hard with Brashard Smith on some issues getting low and then exploding, and told Frank Ladson on one rep "Frank - no foot placement, no detail at all." And this is a guy who was getting coached up at Clemson. So yeah, there's huge attention to detail at every level.
Addae was also working guys hard yelling "active hands, active feet."
Cannot stress enough how impressed I was with the coaching. Every player has things to work on, and they made it clear to those guys they are far from where they need to be. That will instill hard work. The coaches are vocal, no more of this quiet practice field stuff. Guys were sprinting full go, plenty of energy.
Really encouraging.
I said before two of the standouts to me were Ladson and Jacurri just based on their physical presence (tallest in their groups, look really athletic). I'd also add that Thaddius Franklin looks a lot quicker and seems to have slimmed down some, which was a must.
Good to see James Williams back full go, he's going to be one of the ACC's best players, incredible skillset.
For those that know me, of course, I can't only talk about the good. So in the disappointment category/guys I want to see have a better 2nd day on Wednesday I'd put Mike Redding and Peyton Matocha. Redding was one of two players I saw with hands on hips during drills (a big no-no from 4th quarter program messaging ... with the other that did it Thaddius Franklin). And Redding dropped a pass right off his hands with no defenders around in the very next drill. Matocha was off target with some throws, including sailing one 5 yards above a receiver's head with no defense on the field. But both have 14 more practices to get it right!
I give this practice a solid 'A' grade, and you guys know I'm a harsh grader...
Here were my previous thoughts: https://miami.forums.rivals.com/threads/quick-thoughts-from-first-practice.233182/#post-3452678
First off, ton of technique teaching today, way more than I can remember for any spring practice going back for at least a decade. Assistants stopping their drills to show guys certain things, etc. Was a very crisply run practice, much less individual down time than in the past.
In particular Josh Gattis is VERY hands on. One of my favorite lines from him to the receivers today: "If you don't do it right, don't do it at all."
He worked hard with Brashard Smith on some issues getting low and then exploding, and told Frank Ladson on one rep "Frank - no foot placement, no detail at all." And this is a guy who was getting coached up at Clemson. So yeah, there's huge attention to detail at every level.
Addae was also working guys hard yelling "active hands, active feet."
Cannot stress enough how impressed I was with the coaching. Every player has things to work on, and they made it clear to those guys they are far from where they need to be. That will instill hard work. The coaches are vocal, no more of this quiet practice field stuff. Guys were sprinting full go, plenty of energy.
Really encouraging.
I said before two of the standouts to me were Ladson and Jacurri just based on their physical presence (tallest in their groups, look really athletic). I'd also add that Thaddius Franklin looks a lot quicker and seems to have slimmed down some, which was a must.
Good to see James Williams back full go, he's going to be one of the ACC's best players, incredible skillset.
For those that know me, of course, I can't only talk about the good. So in the disappointment category/guys I want to see have a better 2nd day on Wednesday I'd put Mike Redding and Peyton Matocha. Redding was one of two players I saw with hands on hips during drills (a big no-no from 4th quarter program messaging ... with the other that did it Thaddius Franklin). And Redding dropped a pass right off his hands with no defenders around in the very next drill. Matocha was off target with some throws, including sailing one 5 yards above a receiver's head with no defense on the field. But both have 14 more practices to get it right!
I give this practice a solid 'A' grade, and you guys know I'm a harsh grader...
Here were my previous thoughts: https://miami.forums.rivals.com/threads/quick-thoughts-from-first-practice.233182/#post-3452678
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