Since ASU had its worst spring practice and were just about midway through the 15 sessions It would stand a reason that the dog days have arrived where any given team it's somewhat of a wall and see their performance collectively drop in quality. Here are our observations from this morning's practice.
First group:
QB Bennett Meredith
RB Cam Skattebo
WR Chad Johnson Jr.
WR Xavier Guillory
WR Melquan Stovall
TE Jalin Conyers
OL left to right: Bram Walden, Danny Valenzuela, Leif Fautanu, Joey Ramos, Max Iheanachor
In team tempo this group struggled with Meredith taking a sack on the first snap, proceeding to throw two incompletions intended for Johnson, the last incompletion broken up by safety Willie Harts who was playing out of his mind today. Last two plays in this segment were short completions to Skattebo and Stovall
Second group:
QB Trenton Bourguet
RB DeCarlos Brooks
WR Gio Sanders
WR Troy Omeire
WR Andre Johnson
TE Bryce Pierre
OL left to right: Emmit Bohle, Thomas LeBoucher, Ben Bray, Auston Barry, Colby Garvin
Bourguet was by far the best quarterback today. In tempo segment has four straight completions, first three to Omeire who continues to standout more and more each practice, and the fourth completion went for Sanders. The segment ended with one incompletion intended for tight end Ryan Morgan.
Next team segment saw Drew Pyne with the first group, had a short series that featured a long run by Brooks, who stood out among all running backs, but was stuffed on the next play and the series ended with an incompletion intended for Guillory.
Later in the segment Bourguet was again with second group but no throws as he handed off twice to Skattebo who once again showed that after powering his way through the first line of defense he can definitely turn on the burners in the open field. Next two plays were carries by Brooks who once again off tackle gobbled a lot of real estate, (which happened again later in the segment on two more occasions) which was preceded by a short run.
Last team segment to close practice now saw Bourget back on the first group. The offense could not move the chains two short runs by Skattebo were followed by an incomplete pass that was broken up by Shamari Simmons.
Defense won the next series as well. Meredith did complete passes to Andre Johnson and Skattebo, and an incomplete pass to Johnson. A false start (which could be something Kenny Dillingham did just to strain the offense) stalled the offense.
The last series before practice ended saw Pyne get extensive number of snaps, completing 5-6 passes including twice to WR Coben Bourguet, TE Max Ware, Skattebo and Omeire. An Ed Woods INT was nullified because of 12 men on the field penalty on the defense (maybe another “Dillingham strain?”). Brooks and Skattebo has some nice runs during this series, that ended with a sack (one of two in the series) and an incompletion.
In the 7-on-7 (aka skeleton) I thought QB Jacob Conover by far had his best day. Seemed more decisive and his throws had more zip. And not to take away anything from his straight completions but sure handed receivers such as Stovall and Sanders (caught a pass falling down) definitely helps. Conover may be able to battle Meredith for third string, unless Jaden Rashada really makes a push to end spring, so curious to see how that unfolds. Conover’s third completion was to Andree Johnson who I thought may have had his best session this month. With the way Chad Johnson and Omeire have been playing it may be harder for him to find a niche but his potential surely doesn't lag those two. Skeleton segment also saw a sharp series by Bourguet with a completion to Johnson, as well as Skattebo and Badger (twice). He did have one throw broken up by Ro Torrence.
In the WR vs. DB 1-on-1’s the defense seemingly had the upper hand. I can already tell that the 9 vs. 9 or the 6-4 WR Omeire vs. the 6-3 DB Torrence will be quite the matchup all spring as it was in this segment. Going up mano a mano trying to out physical each other has been a sight to see. Torrence had the upper hand today, also had a near INT. Willie Harts and Tarik Luckett had pass breakups and displayed very tight effective coverage. On offense Sanders really shined here with his agility and quickness, but so does Stovall who may lead by a hair on him for the starting slot receiver role. Javen Jacobs had a one-handed TD grab, as did Sanders.
Punt returners were the usual group of Stovall, Jacobs, Guillory, and T Lee. I thought that they were very sure handed even though Josh Carlson had some challenging punts to field. Dillingham was taunting, for lack of a better term, the group telling them: “You will drop this punt. And if you drop this punt it’s going to TikTok!”
I’m really impressed in how offensive line coach Saga Tuitele is giving graduate assistant and former ASU lineman Steve Miller a lot of responsibilities coaching half the group while he coaches the other. I saw Miller even during team segments taking over the coaching. And Miller being a younger guy can really connect well the players.
When he didn’t like the performance in a pass protect drill he said: “That’s lack of focus” That’s lack of attention! Every little thing matters. You don’t do that; you know what happens? SACK! (smacking down the sheet as he says that).
Speaking of the offensive line, don’t know if much can be made of Isiah Glass yielding his left tackle starting role today to Bam Walden, but Walden is someone who if he can stay healthy can be at worst a good backup.
First group:
QB Bennett Meredith
RB Cam Skattebo
WR Chad Johnson Jr.
WR Xavier Guillory
WR Melquan Stovall
TE Jalin Conyers
OL left to right: Bram Walden, Danny Valenzuela, Leif Fautanu, Joey Ramos, Max Iheanachor
In team tempo this group struggled with Meredith taking a sack on the first snap, proceeding to throw two incompletions intended for Johnson, the last incompletion broken up by safety Willie Harts who was playing out of his mind today. Last two plays in this segment were short completions to Skattebo and Stovall
Second group:
QB Trenton Bourguet
RB DeCarlos Brooks
WR Gio Sanders
WR Troy Omeire
WR Andre Johnson
TE Bryce Pierre
OL left to right: Emmit Bohle, Thomas LeBoucher, Ben Bray, Auston Barry, Colby Garvin
Bourguet was by far the best quarterback today. In tempo segment has four straight completions, first three to Omeire who continues to standout more and more each practice, and the fourth completion went for Sanders. The segment ended with one incompletion intended for tight end Ryan Morgan.
Next team segment saw Drew Pyne with the first group, had a short series that featured a long run by Brooks, who stood out among all running backs, but was stuffed on the next play and the series ended with an incompletion intended for Guillory.
Later in the segment Bourguet was again with second group but no throws as he handed off twice to Skattebo who once again showed that after powering his way through the first line of defense he can definitely turn on the burners in the open field. Next two plays were carries by Brooks who once again off tackle gobbled a lot of real estate, (which happened again later in the segment on two more occasions) which was preceded by a short run.
Last team segment to close practice now saw Bourget back on the first group. The offense could not move the chains two short runs by Skattebo were followed by an incomplete pass that was broken up by Shamari Simmons.
Defense won the next series as well. Meredith did complete passes to Andre Johnson and Skattebo, and an incomplete pass to Johnson. A false start (which could be something Kenny Dillingham did just to strain the offense) stalled the offense.
The last series before practice ended saw Pyne get extensive number of snaps, completing 5-6 passes including twice to WR Coben Bourguet, TE Max Ware, Skattebo and Omeire. An Ed Woods INT was nullified because of 12 men on the field penalty on the defense (maybe another “Dillingham strain?”). Brooks and Skattebo has some nice runs during this series, that ended with a sack (one of two in the series) and an incompletion.
In the 7-on-7 (aka skeleton) I thought QB Jacob Conover by far had his best day. Seemed more decisive and his throws had more zip. And not to take away anything from his straight completions but sure handed receivers such as Stovall and Sanders (caught a pass falling down) definitely helps. Conover may be able to battle Meredith for third string, unless Jaden Rashada really makes a push to end spring, so curious to see how that unfolds. Conover’s third completion was to Andree Johnson who I thought may have had his best session this month. With the way Chad Johnson and Omeire have been playing it may be harder for him to find a niche but his potential surely doesn't lag those two. Skeleton segment also saw a sharp series by Bourguet with a completion to Johnson, as well as Skattebo and Badger (twice). He did have one throw broken up by Ro Torrence.
In the WR vs. DB 1-on-1’s the defense seemingly had the upper hand. I can already tell that the 9 vs. 9 or the 6-4 WR Omeire vs. the 6-3 DB Torrence will be quite the matchup all spring as it was in this segment. Going up mano a mano trying to out physical each other has been a sight to see. Torrence had the upper hand today, also had a near INT. Willie Harts and Tarik Luckett had pass breakups and displayed very tight effective coverage. On offense Sanders really shined here with his agility and quickness, but so does Stovall who may lead by a hair on him for the starting slot receiver role. Javen Jacobs had a one-handed TD grab, as did Sanders.
Punt returners were the usual group of Stovall, Jacobs, Guillory, and T Lee. I thought that they were very sure handed even though Josh Carlson had some challenging punts to field. Dillingham was taunting, for lack of a better term, the group telling them: “You will drop this punt. And if you drop this punt it’s going to TikTok!”
I’m really impressed in how offensive line coach Saga Tuitele is giving graduate assistant and former ASU lineman Steve Miller a lot of responsibilities coaching half the group while he coaches the other. I saw Miller even during team segments taking over the coaching. And Miller being a younger guy can really connect well the players.
When he didn’t like the performance in a pass protect drill he said: “That’s lack of focus” That’s lack of attention! Every little thing matters. You don’t do that; you know what happens? SACK! (smacking down the sheet as he says that).
Speaking of the offensive line, don’t know if much can be made of Isiah Glass yielding his left tackle starting role today to Bam Walden, but Walden is someone who if he can stay healthy can be at worst a good backup.
