HUNTINGTON, W.Va.– The Herd worked its way through two practices on Wednesday. Several players are dinged up but Doc Holliday says they should be back to practice soon.
Its not how you start but how you finish.
Rakeem Cato would love to go back and start today’s session all over again. During the team stretching drills as the beginning of practice, it was Cato that committed a false start during the sprints that required the team to do up-downs. Although it was somewhat of a comical moment as it is extremely rare the Heisman Trophy candidate makes a mistake, this mistake seemed to affect the seniors rhythm the entire practice.
Cato made several ill-advised passes with two that nearly resulted in interceptions. Demetrius Evans dropped a sure completion from Cato that found its way to the turf but not before it was tipped by two defenders that was in the area of the pass. Cato’s second near pick was a floater that he through across his body that was intended for Tommy Shuler. Keith Baxter nearly pulled it in but the ball separated from him once he hit the ground.
Cato did have two great passes during the session today, one that was a NFL caliber throw. While working in the skeleton drill (7-on-7) Cato pump faked toward Angelo Jean-Louis then went back to Deon-Tay McManus on a deep flag route for a touchdown.
What may have been Cato’s best throw of camp, Cato found Eric Frohnapfel on a deep crossing route for a huge gain. The pass was threaded into smothering tight coverage by linebacker DJ Hunter and while the throw was amazing the catch was just as nice. Expect Frohnapfel and McManus to get a lot of love from Cato.
Kick it if you’ve got it
The battle of the kickers continued today as Nick Smith could be challenging Justin Haig for some playing time. Both kickers missed only one kick today as Smith pushed a kick left from 40 and Haig left one from 47-yards short. Smith has clearly more distance in his leg than Haig, but consistency could decide his chances. Should the Herd need a 50+ yard field goal for a chance of a win, Smith could be that guy.
Kaare Vedvik continues to handle the kickoffs with Amoreto Curraj still on the sidelines and is making a case to keep Curraj in a back-up role come game day. Vedvik sent two kicks out of the back of the end zone by and easy five yards. His kicks have all been in the end zone and between the sidelines. Vedvik has a real shot at sending the first kickoff of the season downfield for the Herd come 8-30.
Curraj did take a few swings after practice today but showed he has been absent from the field for well over a week. Curraj kicks were nothing of those he booted last year and was kicking the ball from one side of the field to the other with no air under the ball. Needless to say, Curraj still has some work to do before Miami.
Don’t touch my quarterback
In the quarterback protection drill today the linebackers had their way with many of the running backs while one back had a much better showing than that of Monday’s. Linebacker Jermaine Holmes owned Tony Pittman as he shoved the back directly to the quarterback dummy. DJ Hunter did one better when going up against Kevin Rodriguez after beating the new addition to the Herd back field, Hunter picked the tackling dummy up and carried it away.
After a terrible showing in this drill Monday, Stew Butler showed he wouldn’t back down from a challenge. Butler held Neville Hewitt at bay and sent Raheem Waiters to the turf. Butler struggled to keep any of the linebackers from his quarterback dummy Monday.
Drop it like its hot
As camp nears a point of Coach Holliday naming players to the two-deep, Rodney Allen continues to fall deeper down that list as his drop rate increases. Allen has struggled with catches from all three quarterbacks and won’t likely see the field this season.
Craig Wilkins appears to have to fallen to the twos as his struggles of running consistent routes continues. Cato tried to run a flag route to the senior in the back corner of the end zone but Wilkins pulled up coming out of the route and could not turn it on enough to track down the intended pass.
A new look line
With 60 percent of the offensive line currently being off the field due to injury, several guys have been forced to step and make an impact. The starting line this morning was Swede and Jean-Felix at the tackles, Trevor Mendelson and Cody Collins at the guards and Jasperse at center. Mendelson did a good job working at guard as Cato’s protection was good enough to allow him to go down field. The line also opened several running lanes including one that allowed Stew Butler to walk into the end zone from 10 yards out untouched. While the hopes are the starting line will be 100 percent in tack come Miami, the depth of the offensive line continues to grow.
From the hands to the doghouse
The easiest way to end up in doghouse on this team is give away the ball with a turnover. For Stew Butler and Remi Watson, they took turns in the doghouse as they both put the ball on the turf during the red zone drills. Butler got a chance to work with the second team this morning and punched in a touchdown from the 10-yard line after a gaping hole opened on the right side. However, Butler appeared to be on a different snap count as Cato on the next play and never moved when Cato tried to give him the hand-off. Timing was definitely an issue. Butler did make a nice run on the next series, making a hard cut off the edge to turn up field.
Watson had a morning to forget. After putting the ball on the turf, Watson found himself on the wrong end of Coach Barclay’s wrath. Butler promptly replaced Watson in the backfield while Watson pleaded his case to no avail. Watson was visibly distraught and was ‘halfheartedly’ doing his up-downs.
Taj falls victim to the Rock…again
For the third time this week, Taj Letman ended up on the losing end of a Devon Johnson run that drove Letman to the turf. Letman laughed about the run ins with Rock during the 11-on-11 drills and said that Rock is his boy and that is football.
Scouts Honor
It appeared some scout work took place this morning during practice as the first team offensive worked against the second team defense and visa-verse. Cato lined up in the backfield with Johnson while working with Davonte Allen, Tommy Shuler and Angelo Jean-Louis as the receivers and Eric Frohnapfel at tight-end. The twos ran with Watson in the backfield while Deandre Reaves, Demetruis Evans and Craig Wilkins were the receivers and Joe Woodrum in a tight-end with the absence of McManus. Woodrum did get a few reps with the ones and made a great catch on a post route that led him into heavy contact from Cato. The gain moved the ball from Cato’s 5-yard line to the 25.
Stop pickin’ on me
Freshman quarterback Cole Garvin’s struggles continue after throwing another pick this morning. Defensive tackle Arnold Blackmon pulled in the interception, his first of camp, as it appeared Garvin never saw him. Garvin has thrown several picks in camp including multiple pick-sixes.
Injury Report
Blake Brooks and Michael Selby continued to sit out the afternoon session while wearing the sunglasses suggesting concussion like symptoms. Coach Holliday said after practice today he expects them both to return soon but did not give a time frame on the return.
Brandon Byrd worked out in shorts and a shirt only and without the sunglasses suggesting he is on track for a return to the field at some point. Byrd worked out with the running backs on the rope ladder and running swing routes into the flat.
Clint Van Horn was walking without the splint on his right foot although he did not participate in the drills. He did spend some time on the bike today during practice.
McManus appeared to bounce back after nursing an injury from Monday afternoon as he was running at full speed and was able to make his required cuts. McManus pulled up after making a cut this morning but appeared serviceable this afternoon.
Justin Hunt sat out on the sideline while working with a trainer. He was injured during yesterday’s practice. No information on the extent of the injury.
K-Rod left practice after being injured during the protection drill. His left arm was in a sling at the conclusion of practice and his arm was tucked close to his body after the injury occurred.
Remi Watson left the field after the suffering some form of injury during the protection drill. Watson left the field with a trainer and returned to the Shewey building for evaluation. No information was given about the back.